Old Style Ways and Poor Health part 2.

MingVase

Seems an awful long time ago now Polly doesn't it?  Is it a bank holiday on Monday? That messes up all the pensions.

pollyanna_26

It's an early May bank holiday Mar. Looks as though it's all uk. My pension will go in Friday instead of Monday. We seem to be having a lot of bank holidays and it's only April.

I've managed to sort the phone. Getting the powerline in and out was so fiddly. Got the batteries in then dropped it and they fell out again. I got there in the end.

I'll stick to the little Coop on my way out. Town will be heaving although the forecast isn't good. Now all the shops are open and a long weekend it will be busy.

Looking back to when youngest and I were sitting in the sun the day she showed me how to  link a new thread to the old one seems like another world. Blue Remembered Hills comes to mind. The land of lost content. In spite of all the ups and downs we didn't realise how lucky we were watching the world go by. We do now.

pollyx

pollyanna_26

31st May Spring Bank Holiday Mar, put in your diary. I don't think I could manage without a proper diary. I know how many times I've left the house since this thing began and who I saw. Regular Hackney drivers all have had both jabs the pharmacist, the Coop staff and youngest and her BF.

I did go into town last year but only to the Vaccination Hub and Pharmacy this year.

There's been an indoor no masks or social distancing event down the coast as a trial. I've just watched Owains NW weather forecast. Not looking too good over the long weekend so hopefully we'll be spared the hordes from all over the place.

Mind you mothernerd has painting to finish so hopefully it wont get over her way.

pollyx

MingVase

TY Polly, that means the pensions will in tomorrow then and I can spend them even faster.

I wonder if anybody in here has found good comfy shoes/sandals for the summer? I've got arthritis in my feet - the top of the foot plus the big toe joint really hurt and it stops me going walks. I need to keep walking or I seize up and can't walk at all. Currently wearing Hotter sandals, these rugged ones that can go up mountains etc. Well they can with other people in them, not me.

pollyanna_26

Youngest has quite a few pairs of Hotter. They seem to last a long time and have been very comfy. It's al so worth having a look at Birkenstocks they have a very good footbed for Arthritis and different styles. She wore a very pretty flowery pair for her best friends wedding.

Fly Flot are what I mainly wear they too have an anatomical footbed.

Mine have lasted for quite a few years . The Calfly I mainly wear are discontinued but sometimes appear new on the Bay.

I buy most of my sandals from Pavers. We have both Hotter and Pavers shops here. Pavers sell different brands.

Worth having a look around the web before going to a shop. We found her flowery and other Birkenstocks on Amazon much cheaper than in a shop. They fit perfectly and if they hadn't could have been returned.

I'm still trying to get through to the PPC dept at the NHS site!

As well as online viewing and shops both Hotter and Pavers will send out a free brochure and often have good offers on.

pollyx

MingVase

TY Pollywolly xx

KxMx

I'm struggling a bit, after losing two close relatives to Cvoid within 3 weeks of each other in December /January I had a massive wake up call about my life and what I wasn't happy with.

I made a social housing application in March and they asked me to get at OT assessment, fair enough, even though I did give them a GP letter stating my need for ground floor and level access shower and filled in a huge medical form. 

I self referred to OT on 22/3/21 and apart from an acknowledgement the same day have heard nothing. I emailed a polite enquiry on 19/4/21 which was answered quickly, but that person couldn't help so was told my message would be passed onto correct team, again heard nothing.


It's been so long since submitting that I can no longer view my request on the online portal, so am emailing today to make sure they still have it their end. 

I guess in another few weeks it's complaint process time. 

I've been so focused these last few months on positively moving forwards with my life and getting out of a living situation which I'm unhappy with physically and mentally, having now to reset my expectations to staying put and try and find some contentment in that is really quite difficult. 

And I'm so upset at being ignored when i'm asking the professionals for help, the same professionals I may have to rely on when (hopefully) living alone if I find I can't cope as well as I thought.

I wasn't expecting a non urgent request to be dealth with quickly but nor was I expecting to be ignored. 

And I'm certainly not expecting to be re housed quickly either but without this assessment I'm absolutely stuck because my application has been suspended. 

pollyanna_26

I'm sorry you've lost two family members so close together.

Making your self referral to OT on 22nd March is less than a month ago. From what I know from previous times helping others in similar situations  whether needing council or HA accomodation the wheels can grind very slowly. Even before Covid social housing has been like gold dust.

OT will oftrn take a Drs referral if the patient has a clear ongoing need. However some require input from consultants , physios etc.

You may find some adaptations will be offered but the ground floor accomadation may not be available readily. There are big backlogs now, all services were under pressure before the pandemic. Now they're overwhelmed.

If it's staying somewhere you no longer feel comfortable to stay in alone it's worth getting mental health onboard presuming you have either support or medication for anxiety or similar.

I'd advise writing a long letter keeping copies to both the HA and OT. Keep copies. Explain your difficulties which are making things difficult now you are alone. Keep your GP up to date too.

Depending on your current accomodation it may be possible for an exchange via the HA to a ground floor flat . It doesn't guarantee disability friendly. But it is easier to get suitable wetroom or adapted bathroom than be searching for specific HA or Council housing.

pollyx

pollyanna_26

Reading through your post again it doesn't sound as they you have been ignored. You had an acknowledgement to your self referral then were told your email would be passed on.

That's just over a month ago and services are overwhelmed trying to work through backlogs due to higher demand, staff shielding etc.

No harm in speaking to your GP if you think your case has been closed now you can't view it online.

Your life has obviously changed since the loss of your family members. Give yourself time to think through what would be the best way to move forward for you.

pollyx

MrsCD

Ming.... I read this today in The Pickwick Papers, and I thought of you.... it is definitely where they belong!


There was a bower at the farther end, with honeysuckle, jessamine, and creeping plants—one of those sweet retreats which humane men erect for the accommodation of spiders.