We all need to be heard for a little while.

Georgiegirl256

We've got a home and garden festival going on in our town this weekend (mainly on the harbour), and they always get big names to come and exhibit and give talks. This time they've got Laurence Llwelyn Bowen, Nicky Clarke, Oz Clarke, Kim Woodburn, Sean Wilson (Martin Platt out of Corrie, he's always there) and Jean Christophe Novelli (swoon!).

My Dad asked JC Novelli for a photo once, and I took it! He was so polite and gracious.

Pyxis

Errata wrote: »

An odd day? How bizarre to link having an odd day with mental health problems.

It's quite a nice word, though, coming from from Old Norse 'oddi' meaning a point, angle, triangle, and third or odd number. From that we get the Old English ord point, meaning beginning.





Just to let you know, I've spent the day in bed, as I felt exhausted. Feeling rather stressed about having to face them tomorrow at an AmDram do, as I have decided to bow out of the spin-off group. I realised that I had never been very happy with it, so yesterday was the last straw. I feel as if a weight is off my mind, but I still have to tell them. They'll either be annoyed, or this is what they wanted all along!I've been worrying about telling them, and when I'll be able to, as it's a bit full-on tomorrow. It would be so much easier by email, especially as I'm far more lucid on paper than when I'm speaking, but I don't think that would be right, and I'd still have to face them.

I'm staying in the big group, though.

dragonette wrote: »

Just got my esa review result - apparently there is nothing wrong with me. Just want to curl up on a corner and cry for the rest of the day

Oh Dragonette, come here....(((((((((((((((Dragonette)))))))))))))

dragonette

*cuddles in to Pyxis* thank you. I'm so scared they won't accept the appeal, I scored on physical needs. I can barely walk most days.

Georgiegirl256

Hugs (((dragonette))) I admit, I have no idea how these things work, but surely they can't just stop your payments just like that and potentionally leave you in the lurch?

dragonette

Georgie, that is exactly what they do. Well, not quite. I can go back onto JSA which gives lower housing benefits and end up sanctioned because no employer in their right mind would take a risk on me atm.

My Dr thinks I shouldnt be working. The government thinks I should. I will be entirely broken and non functional again if I force myself to try to work at this point, I just can't.

System

You have the right to appeal, unfortunetly they brought in the rule that you have to go though something called a mandatory reconsideration first. If thee is a CAB near you and you can get an appointment i strongly suggest trying to see someone. I had help back when i first applied for DLA and they were a great help. Failing that i know it can be a bit of a scary part of the forum, but the benefits board has given me very helpful advice. I can think of one poster who has MH problems and quite a vast knowledge of the ESA system and would happily PM him to see if he can give advice, but thats up to you.

At this point i;d start gathering as much info as you can, it can help if you look at the desrciptors you think apply to you, and if you can get evidence to support those, if you're doctor agrees you shouldn't be working they can write a supporting letter to go with your appeal

You will get through this, i know far too well the terror of wating for that horrdi brown envelope to come through the door

((((hugs))))

eta: more info

dragonette

Thanks MU. Theres a local anti poverty charity I can go see, and I need to go back to the Dr soon, just seem to be frozen atm.

Most of my not being fit to work is physical rather than MH - but the MH issues are making it incredibly difficult to deal with. I'm hoping to sort a plan of action tomorrow, will try to get some friends to help with my options.

jobbingmusician

((((((((dragonette))))))))

What is the opposite of cuddles? Think of these as those throwing stars with sharp nasty points on them.

*********DWP and ESA assessment********

tea_lover

Code, obviously I've never met you, and I don't have the faintest idea what you look like. But I do know that in the time we've been chatting you have always been kind, funny, able to empathise with others, loyal, able to share good advice and also listen to advice from others, respectful...and so on. You come across as a lovely person with a great sense of sarcastic humour (the best kind )

Whether that's in a size 8 package or a size 28 just couldn't be less important.

Anyone who makes negative comments about the appearance of others is just an unthinking twonk...don't let them change how you see yourself. Because you should be seeing the great person we all 'see' when we chat to you...anything else is selling yourself short.

And now I'm going...as I look like a freaky stalker with a crush on you lol

codemonkey

Awwww thanks tea. That's so lovely. I may cry again.