I had my first session of hydrotherapy yesterday, it was, shall I say, different. Although it was quite nice to feel weightless, taking pressure off my spine, the pain was replaced with feeling uncomfortable. That was until the end when they stood me back up in the pool. The pain that hit was near unbearable, and it hit hard!
Today, I have been left walking even slower than before (and that really is saying something), the pain in my hips and leg has increased 10 fold, and everything is just that so much more tiring to do. But I am not a quitter. I will give this a good go, and see if it helps me at all.
I will be going to hydrotherapy every Tuesday for at least 4 weeks. Tuesdays will now be known as Torturous Tuesdays!
I am at the hospital on the 21st for an examination by the pain management team, before my 2 weeks of intense pain management begins in the new year. If this doesn't work, or if there is nothing they can do for me, then surgery is almost certainly on the cards, although I have yet to receive the results from my latest MRI scan on my upper spine. If the scan shows anything, then this will definitely delay things even further, due to more tests that will need to be done.
As for my ESA tribunal, I have still yet to hear of a date, although I am happy that I have received a letter from Welfare Rights, saying that they will be helping me, and quite possibly, representing me at the tribunal. Representation at tribunals increases the success rate from 30% up to 80% (even higher in some cases). I will keep you all updated with news, as soon as I have it.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Politics
My blog post are not usually about politics, i try to stay clear of mine field of MPs, legislations and Government Bills. But i feel i have to write about something that the Government is bringing in. As of Monday, sick and disabled people are going to be FORCED into doing unpaid work for charities, private companies and supermarkets, to name but a few. If the claimant refuses to do this work, then their Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) benefit, could have their benefits stripped by about £70 a week.
The Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) is the governments latest idea to get sick and disabled into the work place, whether they like it or not, or whether they are healthy enough or not. This government does not care about who it hurts or how much damage it does to society and to those most vulnerable. I know that i am no where near well enough to return to the work place. If i was, then i would be working right now. If i get forced to go to work somewhere, like a charity shop, i guarantee that things are going to get broken, causing me to get sacked on day one.
These companies that take part in the MWA are looking to line their pockets with money paid by the DWP whilst getting free labour. This cannot be allowed to continue. I have been told, unofficially, that Ed Milliband is to busy to help the sick and disabled who are basically being forced into slavery, so it is up to the general public to bring this country to its knees, until Adolf Cameron listens to us, and realises that what he is doing is not only morally wrong, but also violating basic human rights.
When fuel prices get too high, farmers take their tractors to the M25 for "go slows". When automotive workers say they are not getting paid enough, they hit the picket lines and go on strike. So when this country's government constantly hits and demonises the sick and disabled, we stand back and let it happen. Well this has to end, and it has to end now. We need to make the general public aware of the genocide that the Con-Dems are doing to the most vulnerable in society.
I urge people to tell their friends, tell their neighbours, tell everybody they can. People deserve to know about the people who are "running" this country. We need to shout at the top of out voices. We need to bring this country to a stand still. Drastic measures call for drastic actions.
The Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) is the governments latest idea to get sick and disabled into the work place, whether they like it or not, or whether they are healthy enough or not. This government does not care about who it hurts or how much damage it does to society and to those most vulnerable. I know that i am no where near well enough to return to the work place. If i was, then i would be working right now. If i get forced to go to work somewhere, like a charity shop, i guarantee that things are going to get broken, causing me to get sacked on day one.
These companies that take part in the MWA are looking to line their pockets with money paid by the DWP whilst getting free labour. This cannot be allowed to continue. I have been told, unofficially, that Ed Milliband is to busy to help the sick and disabled who are basically being forced into slavery, so it is up to the general public to bring this country to its knees, until Adolf Cameron listens to us, and realises that what he is doing is not only morally wrong, but also violating basic human rights.
When fuel prices get too high, farmers take their tractors to the M25 for "go slows". When automotive workers say they are not getting paid enough, they hit the picket lines and go on strike. So when this country's government constantly hits and demonises the sick and disabled, we stand back and let it happen. Well this has to end, and it has to end now. We need to make the general public aware of the genocide that the Con-Dems are doing to the most vulnerable in society.
I urge people to tell their friends, tell their neighbours, tell everybody they can. People deserve to know about the people who are "running" this country. We need to shout at the top of out voices. We need to bring this country to a stand still. Drastic measures call for drastic actions.
Thursday, 29 November 2012
My First Car!
My first car was a Mk 3 Ford Fiesta, and at the time, i loved it! But looking back at it now, i kinda think that it was the biggest load of horse manure that has ever been created by man. My mum "loaned" me the £600 to buy it, and it stood on the drive for over a week, until the insurance was sorted. I longed for my first drive as much as a 16 year old longs to lose his virginity.
The day of my first drive finally came. Excited was an understatement. It felt like all my birthdays and Christmas' had been rolled into one. I got in, put my belt on, and turned the key for the first time. Listening to 1.1 engine splutter itself into life was like listening to angels playing harps. Engaging reverse, in a very clunky manner, i backed out the drive, and went for a spin.
When you have driving lessons, your instructor says to keep your hands at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, but this went out the window straight away, and hasn't changed since. I was in love with a tonne of slightly rusty metal and very dodgy wiring. The window was open, the radio was on full, i was probably making an absolute fool of myself, but i didn't care. This was my car, and i felt the whole world should see, and hear, it.
Then on the 23rd of December, as i was driving to work, BANG! A huge plume of black smoke bailed out the back. I thought to myself that that can't be good! I limped it to my local mechanic who happily informed me that i had blown the cylinder head, as, in the 7 months that i had had the car, i had not once put any oil in it. I just figured that the oil light hadn't come on, so it didn't need any. After closer inspection, it turned out the little bulb for the oil light, had blown.
So there i was, 2 days before Christmas, with no car. I was panicking, my car was now my life, a part of my body, my left leg! Without it, was stuck. The world was coming to an end. But then some good news. My mechanic informed me that he can fit me a "new" engine, on Christmas Eve, and it would be a more powerful one. So i had my car upgraded from a 1.1 to a whopping 1.3, which i kept secret from the DVLA! All this power came at a price of just £250.
Looking back now, i remember quite a few funny, and not so funny memories about my first car. Like the time i got pulled over by the police for the very first time, for having little red lights on the windscreen washers, or the time i locked the keys in the ignition, and i spent over 2 hours with a bend coat hanger, trying to unlock the door. In the end i had to pick the boot lock with a pen knife, and make a very undignified entrance. Yes my first car was a rust bucket, it was never fast, never sporty despite my best efforts, but it was my first car, and no matter what your first car was, your will always have fond feelings for it, even if it didn't work.
This post is part of the Car Craft competition http://www.carcraft.co.uk/info/first-car
The day of my first drive finally came. Excited was an understatement. It felt like all my birthdays and Christmas' had been rolled into one. I got in, put my belt on, and turned the key for the first time. Listening to 1.1 engine splutter itself into life was like listening to angels playing harps. Engaging reverse, in a very clunky manner, i backed out the drive, and went for a spin.
When you have driving lessons, your instructor says to keep your hands at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, but this went out the window straight away, and hasn't changed since. I was in love with a tonne of slightly rusty metal and very dodgy wiring. The window was open, the radio was on full, i was probably making an absolute fool of myself, but i didn't care. This was my car, and i felt the whole world should see, and hear, it.
Then on the 23rd of December, as i was driving to work, BANG! A huge plume of black smoke bailed out the back. I thought to myself that that can't be good! I limped it to my local mechanic who happily informed me that i had blown the cylinder head, as, in the 7 months that i had had the car, i had not once put any oil in it. I just figured that the oil light hadn't come on, so it didn't need any. After closer inspection, it turned out the little bulb for the oil light, had blown.
So there i was, 2 days before Christmas, with no car. I was panicking, my car was now my life, a part of my body, my left leg! Without it, was stuck. The world was coming to an end. But then some good news. My mechanic informed me that he can fit me a "new" engine, on Christmas Eve, and it would be a more powerful one. So i had my car upgraded from a 1.1 to a whopping 1.3, which i kept secret from the DVLA! All this power came at a price of just £250.
Looking back now, i remember quite a few funny, and not so funny memories about my first car. Like the time i got pulled over by the police for the very first time, for having little red lights on the windscreen washers, or the time i locked the keys in the ignition, and i spent over 2 hours with a bend coat hanger, trying to unlock the door. In the end i had to pick the boot lock with a pen knife, and make a very undignified entrance. Yes my first car was a rust bucket, it was never fast, never sporty despite my best efforts, but it was my first car, and no matter what your first car was, your will always have fond feelings for it, even if it didn't work.
This post is part of the Car Craft competition http://www.carcraft.co.uk/info/first-car
Friday, 9 November 2012
2 days after MRI
2 days on from my latest MRI scan and i am in agony because of it. I can barely move my head, and if i sneeze or cough, i get shooting pains from my shoulder down my right arm, and a very bad stabbing pain in the centre of my chest! This MRI was by far, the worst one i've ever had. I suspected it would be, even before i had it. Due to driving, i could not take any pills before hand, and i suspected it might take slightly longer than previous MRI's, i was wrong! It took MUCH longer.
I was in that tube for over 45 mins, unable to move. The sheer pain that i was in after the 20 minute mark was unbearable, to the point that i was beginning to have the onset of a panic attack. Heavy breathing, pins and needles in hands and feet, and sheer longing to get out! However, i managed to calm myself down, as i did not want to have to do it again.
I am really hoping that that was the last MRI i will ever have to endure. I have had 6 of them in the past 3 and half years, and i do not want to make it 7. I am now dreading the results of this one. On one hand, if they find something, then it will a load off my mind, though it will be something else for them to fix. Then on the other hand, if the don't find anything, then what on Earth is causing all this pain in my upper spine. I will be publishing another update once i have received the results.
A quick note about my ESA tribunal. I have yet to receive a date for the tribunal, though i am at a Welfare Rights meeting on Monday. Hopefully they will be able to represent me. I will be taking my ATOS medical results form with me to show them that they lied on the form. Hopefully this should blow the whole medical out of the water and win me the tribunal, thus enabling me to have what i am wholly entitled to! Again, i will keep you all updated with the results of this once i have them.
As for DLA, well, i am waiting til i get the results of the tribunal and MRI before i put in yet another claim, as my last claim was turned down due to the ESA ATOS medical, despite the criteria for both benefits being somewhat different.
I was in that tube for over 45 mins, unable to move. The sheer pain that i was in after the 20 minute mark was unbearable, to the point that i was beginning to have the onset of a panic attack. Heavy breathing, pins and needles in hands and feet, and sheer longing to get out! However, i managed to calm myself down, as i did not want to have to do it again.
I am really hoping that that was the last MRI i will ever have to endure. I have had 6 of them in the past 3 and half years, and i do not want to make it 7. I am now dreading the results of this one. On one hand, if they find something, then it will a load off my mind, though it will be something else for them to fix. Then on the other hand, if the don't find anything, then what on Earth is causing all this pain in my upper spine. I will be publishing another update once i have received the results.
A quick note about my ESA tribunal. I have yet to receive a date for the tribunal, though i am at a Welfare Rights meeting on Monday. Hopefully they will be able to represent me. I will be taking my ATOS medical results form with me to show them that they lied on the form. Hopefully this should blow the whole medical out of the water and win me the tribunal, thus enabling me to have what i am wholly entitled to! Again, i will keep you all updated with the results of this once i have them.
As for DLA, well, i am waiting til i get the results of the tribunal and MRI before i put in yet another claim, as my last claim was turned down due to the ESA ATOS medical, despite the criteria for both benefits being somewhat different.
Monday, 29 October 2012
Day at Top Gear Live
On Thursday, we went to Top Gear Live 2012 at the NEC in Birmingham. The drive down seemed to take 70,000 years, and i must admit, that as we drew closer to the NEC, i became a small child again. The excitement of seeing a huge room full of supercars, ones that i have dreamt of catching eyes upon ever since seeing their first pictures in Top Gear magazine. And then of coarse there is actually seeing the Jeremy, Richard and James in person! This to me was going to be heaven.
When we arrived, we picked up our press tickets and were taken through the press corridor to avoid the huge crowds queuing to get in. Between me and those cars stood one silver door. My heart was thumping in my chest (sorry, i don't mean to sound all Fifty Shades of Grey). As the door opened into the brightness and my eyes adjusted, i made out the first super car i would see. The first car i would see at Top Gear Live 2012, the one that would stay with me for a long time. So, Ferrari California? No. Aston Martin DBRS? No. What stood before me was a plain, boring Citroen DS4! Now im not complaining, i think the DS4 is a very good car, but having it as the first car people, especially the press, see when they arrive??
But i digress. We started moving our way to the right, looking at other Citroens, until we got to the Citroen rally cars. Then the big smile returned to my face when i saw Sebastien Loeb's car.
I must point out at this point that Sebastien Loeb is, to me, one of the greatest rally drivers that have ever lived, second only, perhaps, to the late Colin Mcrae. And although this isnt Sebastiens latest rally car, it is by far, my favourite.
It was then, after seeing the Citroen section, that we realised that the exhibition itself wasn't awfully that big. Infact, we went round every car, taking what seemed like 2 million pictures as we went along, in just over half an hour! And although there were lots of beautiful cars there, they were a bit crampt together. Half of the hall was almost empty. As someone who uses a wheelchair, there is nothing worse than a wall of people coming at you. You just know that someone is going to going away with a broken ankle! So in my view the hall could have been spread out a bit more, to give people more room.
But all of these little niggles where overshadowed by what i really came to see. The indoor show featuring the Top Gear cast and of coarse, The Stig. And although I was a bit confused as to why Tiff Needell Vicki Butler-Henderson were there, the first half was good, with some fantastic drifting by the American Ken Block:
Plus some very bizarre, but very funny, half a car racing. Basically, they get some front wheel drive cars, and chop then in half. Some funny racing ensues:
But the highlight of the day, and quite possibly the funniest thing i have ever seen, came in the second half. A few years ago, Jeremy Clarkson took a Chevy V8 engine, and turned it into a food blender. In the end James had to drink a drink made from raw beef and bricks, with a dash of Tabasco sauce. So now, Jeremy has decided to put that engine into the mobile stage, which he drives on stage. Below is a video of what Jeremy decides to do next:
As we went on Thursday, which was the first day of the event, i have decided not to publish this blog until after the event has finished, so that i do not ruin any surprises for those people who are going. And nothing more so, than the world record attempt of riding a motor cycle around 2 consecutive loops, called a 720. This has never been attempted before, not even in rehearsals! This has been done by Top Gear live in a buggie earlier this year in Durban, South Africa. Below is a video of what happens:
The rest of the second half was made up of Jeremy getting shot in a G-Whiz convertible, the guys playing a new sport of sidecar polo and some people on pogo sticks, jumping over Citroen DS3's. All of these videos are available to watch on YouTube.
After the show, we had another walk around the exhibition, taking some final photos of the day, such as the beautiful Ferrari 458, and the engineering masterpiece that is the Bugatti Veyron.
Even despite the cramptness, and the fact our press tickets couldn't get us into all of the places, such as the paddock, so we can't review those, we left at the end of the day with a smile on our faces, and a lot of very funny memories. I just now cannot wait for the new series of Top Gear to return to our screens in January.
When we arrived, we picked up our press tickets and were taken through the press corridor to avoid the huge crowds queuing to get in. Between me and those cars stood one silver door. My heart was thumping in my chest (sorry, i don't mean to sound all Fifty Shades of Grey). As the door opened into the brightness and my eyes adjusted, i made out the first super car i would see. The first car i would see at Top Gear Live 2012, the one that would stay with me for a long time. So, Ferrari California? No. Aston Martin DBRS? No. What stood before me was a plain, boring Citroen DS4! Now im not complaining, i think the DS4 is a very good car, but having it as the first car people, especially the press, see when they arrive??
But i digress. We started moving our way to the right, looking at other Citroens, until we got to the Citroen rally cars. Then the big smile returned to my face when i saw Sebastien Loeb's car.
I must point out at this point that Sebastien Loeb is, to me, one of the greatest rally drivers that have ever lived, second only, perhaps, to the late Colin Mcrae. And although this isnt Sebastiens latest rally car, it is by far, my favourite.
It was then, after seeing the Citroen section, that we realised that the exhibition itself wasn't awfully that big. Infact, we went round every car, taking what seemed like 2 million pictures as we went along, in just over half an hour! And although there were lots of beautiful cars there, they were a bit crampt together. Half of the hall was almost empty. As someone who uses a wheelchair, there is nothing worse than a wall of people coming at you. You just know that someone is going to going away with a broken ankle! So in my view the hall could have been spread out a bit more, to give people more room.
But all of these little niggles where overshadowed by what i really came to see. The indoor show featuring the Top Gear cast and of coarse, The Stig. And although I was a bit confused as to why Tiff Needell Vicki Butler-Henderson were there, the first half was good, with some fantastic drifting by the American Ken Block:
Plus some very bizarre, but very funny, half a car racing. Basically, they get some front wheel drive cars, and chop then in half. Some funny racing ensues:
But the highlight of the day, and quite possibly the funniest thing i have ever seen, came in the second half. A few years ago, Jeremy Clarkson took a Chevy V8 engine, and turned it into a food blender. In the end James had to drink a drink made from raw beef and bricks, with a dash of Tabasco sauce. So now, Jeremy has decided to put that engine into the mobile stage, which he drives on stage. Below is a video of what Jeremy decides to do next:
As we went on Thursday, which was the first day of the event, i have decided not to publish this blog until after the event has finished, so that i do not ruin any surprises for those people who are going. And nothing more so, than the world record attempt of riding a motor cycle around 2 consecutive loops, called a 720. This has never been attempted before, not even in rehearsals! This has been done by Top Gear live in a buggie earlier this year in Durban, South Africa. Below is a video of what happens:
The rest of the second half was made up of Jeremy getting shot in a G-Whiz convertible, the guys playing a new sport of sidecar polo and some people on pogo sticks, jumping over Citroen DS3's. All of these videos are available to watch on YouTube.
After the show, we had another walk around the exhibition, taking some final photos of the day, such as the beautiful Ferrari 458, and the engineering masterpiece that is the Bugatti Veyron.
Even despite the cramptness, and the fact our press tickets couldn't get us into all of the places, such as the paddock, so we can't review those, we left at the end of the day with a smile on our faces, and a lot of very funny memories. I just now cannot wait for the new series of Top Gear to return to our screens in January.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
things are looking up!
Wow, what a week! first, after a lot of phone calls, and ending with a trek to the job center to hand in a medical note that i had already sent to the DWP months ago (luckily i kept it after they returned it to me), i have FINALLY had my payments backdated. FINALLY i have a bit of money on which to live on. It really is worth persisting with these people, do never let them win and never let them beat you down!
I have also had some mail through about my tribunal, so I'm guessing that will be coming around sooner or later. I just hope i can get some representation before it does, and I'm not using the CAB again. Although they did not represent me for my DLA tribunal, the advice they gave me, meant that i lost the tribunal.
On a medical topic, yesterday i went to see my new Orthopedic surgeon. Probably the best surgeon i have seen to date. He was a nice bloke, cracked a joke etc, but also got down to the straight and narrow. After many pokes and prods, and several discussions about different forms of surgery, in the end we both decided to do some further investigating first.
First he will be arranging another MRI, but this time for my upper spine. (something i have been asking for for over a year now). Then, he is going to put me in a 2 week intense pain management course at Salford hospital, where they might put me up in a hotel as its quite a trek from Lancaster!
If the pain management course proves no results, then surgery will most probably be on the cards. And the surgery that will most likely happen is Disc Replacement surgery, where basically they remove the damaged discs from my spine, and replace them with fake ones!. He said that having operations like a Discecomy (complete or partial removal of the disc) would probably result in me being the same or even worse off than before, and having a PLIF - Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion, (AKA spinal fusion) would most like result in me being rather pain free, for about a year to 18 months, then, because of instability, the healthier discs above, which are already showing signs of natural degeneration, will quickly worsen, and i will be back to square one.
So basically, there is a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm still left with the basic fact, that no matter what anyone does, I am going to be in some degree of pain, for the rest of my life, and that to me, is the worse thing of all.
I have also had some mail through about my tribunal, so I'm guessing that will be coming around sooner or later. I just hope i can get some representation before it does, and I'm not using the CAB again. Although they did not represent me for my DLA tribunal, the advice they gave me, meant that i lost the tribunal.
On a medical topic, yesterday i went to see my new Orthopedic surgeon. Probably the best surgeon i have seen to date. He was a nice bloke, cracked a joke etc, but also got down to the straight and narrow. After many pokes and prods, and several discussions about different forms of surgery, in the end we both decided to do some further investigating first.
First he will be arranging another MRI, but this time for my upper spine. (something i have been asking for for over a year now). Then, he is going to put me in a 2 week intense pain management course at Salford hospital, where they might put me up in a hotel as its quite a trek from Lancaster!
If the pain management course proves no results, then surgery will most probably be on the cards. And the surgery that will most likely happen is Disc Replacement surgery, where basically they remove the damaged discs from my spine, and replace them with fake ones!. He said that having operations like a Discecomy (complete or partial removal of the disc) would probably result in me being the same or even worse off than before, and having a PLIF - Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion, (AKA spinal fusion) would most like result in me being rather pain free, for about a year to 18 months, then, because of instability, the healthier discs above, which are already showing signs of natural degeneration, will quickly worsen, and i will be back to square one.
So basically, there is a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm still left with the basic fact, that no matter what anyone does, I am going to be in some degree of pain, for the rest of my life, and that to me, is the worse thing of all.
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
productive day
Due to several people contacting me about any information i might have regarding Motability cars, i have decided to start a new blog, linked to this one, with the aim of test driving, and reviewing Motability cars for the disabled. as i am physically disabled myself, i feel i am in a good position to give positive feedback about cars which i feel will appropriate to physically disabled people.
Although there are many kinds of physical disabilities, i will aim to address as many criteria as i possibly can.
I have had positive responses so far from Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Citroen of Blackpool, to which i look forward to working with in the near future.
I wish to help those people who are struggling to decide whether a Motability car is right for them, and to help them decide which car would be best suited to their needs.
On a more personal note, i am still undergoing further physio for my upper spine. my physio is very concerned about the nerve pains that i am getting down my arms and into my hands. she suspects at least one more disc has prolapsed. every day i can feel it getting that bit worse.
And with the fight against the DWP, i currently have no further news. i am still awaiting part back payment from May, to which i will be ringing them, again, on monday (if BT openreach decide to get round to installing a phone line for us, which they should have done on Monday!!)
I will keep you all updated about any further developments.
As always, many thanks for reading, and do pass my blog on to others.
Although there are many kinds of physical disabilities, i will aim to address as many criteria as i possibly can.
I have had positive responses so far from Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Citroen of Blackpool, to which i look forward to working with in the near future.
I wish to help those people who are struggling to decide whether a Motability car is right for them, and to help them decide which car would be best suited to their needs.
On a more personal note, i am still undergoing further physio for my upper spine. my physio is very concerned about the nerve pains that i am getting down my arms and into my hands. she suspects at least one more disc has prolapsed. every day i can feel it getting that bit worse.
And with the fight against the DWP, i currently have no further news. i am still awaiting part back payment from May, to which i will be ringing them, again, on monday (if BT openreach decide to get round to installing a phone line for us, which they should have done on Monday!!)
I will keep you all updated about any further developments.
As always, many thanks for reading, and do pass my blog on to others.
Thursday, 27 September 2012
A Lot To Tell
i apologise for not blogging sooner than this, but we have recently moved to house that is somewhat, in the middle of nowhere! this means for now we have no mobile signal coverage, no TV reception and until October 1st, no broadband, so right now im having to rely on a rather dodgy signal from a BT hotspot.
So whats new?? well, i have recently managed to extract half of the money out of the DWP that they owe me. i am going to have to ring them next week as they stated on the phone that they have not received my GP notes that cover the July-October period, which is rather strange as i sent it with the note that covers the May-July period! am i surprised by this? hardly.
I am, though, somewhat confused as to what they are doing, as they have sent loads of letters to me in the last week, back dated throughout the last 6 months, like the one i received only 3 days ago, saying that my GP that ends on July 16th, is about to expire!! taxpayers money well spent there! so i will be calling them probably monday, when we have our phone line installed, to see where those duh-brains at the DWP are up to with my claim, as another recent later states that my claim is going to be reopened!
As for my health, well, there have been further developments there. i am currently undergoing further physiotherapy on my upper spine. my physio thinks that at least one more disc, possibly two, have degenerated, as i am getting more and more pains from my shoulder blades up to the base of my skull, and down my arms.
On another health related matter, but not about my spine, my GP kindly informs me that ear drum has decided to rupture, and now i am pretty much deaf now in my left ear! as if i don't have enough on my plate!!
So whats new?? well, i have recently managed to extract half of the money out of the DWP that they owe me. i am going to have to ring them next week as they stated on the phone that they have not received my GP notes that cover the July-October period, which is rather strange as i sent it with the note that covers the May-July period! am i surprised by this? hardly.
I am, though, somewhat confused as to what they are doing, as they have sent loads of letters to me in the last week, back dated throughout the last 6 months, like the one i received only 3 days ago, saying that my GP that ends on July 16th, is about to expire!! taxpayers money well spent there! so i will be calling them probably monday, when we have our phone line installed, to see where those duh-brains at the DWP are up to with my claim, as another recent later states that my claim is going to be reopened!
As for my health, well, there have been further developments there. i am currently undergoing further physiotherapy on my upper spine. my physio thinks that at least one more disc, possibly two, have degenerated, as i am getting more and more pains from my shoulder blades up to the base of my skull, and down my arms.
On another health related matter, but not about my spine, my GP kindly informs me that ear drum has decided to rupture, and now i am pretty much deaf now in my left ear! as if i don't have enough on my plate!!
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
speechless!
On August 9th i received some of of my medical noted back from the Department for Work and Pensions, only to find a Royal Mail rubber stamp on each individual one. at the time i didnt really pay much attention to them and just assumed that something innocent had happened, as the Royal Mail couldn't possibly be breaching basic codes of confidentiality right? WRONG! below is a link to an article by the Independent newspaper, i advise everyone to read it. this would explain why so much mail sent to the DWP goes missing!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/royal-mail-staff-given-access-to-confidential-medical-details-8118203.html
I am outraged that the Royal Mail has been allowed to get away with this, but i do know that they cannot allowed to do it any more! i have written a strong letter on complaint to the Royal Mail and i suggest if you have ever had sensitive mail opened by them, to write to them too!
As for my ESA case, i was told only after i phone the DWP, that they had not changed their decision during a reconsideration, and will be going to tribunal. i am still waiting for appeal payment that i should have been getting since the beginning of May!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/royal-mail-staff-given-access-to-confidential-medical-details-8118203.html
I am outraged that the Royal Mail has been allowed to get away with this, but i do know that they cannot allowed to do it any more! i have written a strong letter on complaint to the Royal Mail and i suggest if you have ever had sensitive mail opened by them, to write to them too!
As for my ESA case, i was told only after i phone the DWP, that they had not changed their decision during a reconsideration, and will be going to tribunal. i am still waiting for appeal payment that i should have been getting since the beginning of May!
Monday, 27 August 2012
A Reply From ATOS!
After i sent an official complaint to the customer services department at ATOS, i have finally received a reply from them, after "only" a month of waiting for it. their response has not surprised me, with their lack of compassion, and also not admitting that they made a mistake!
Below are photographs i have taken of the response letter. please feel free to read the letter, while i consider whether or not it is even worth seeking legal advice against them.
Even though complaining to ATOS might seem trivial and a waste of time, i personally wish that as many people as possible in similar situations to me, would complain. i wish nothing more than to see the back of ATOS and their worthless Work Capability Assessments, and seeing as though the government is not listening, im planning on hounding ATOS! making life as difficult for them as possible until they get fed up and decide that fighting with us is pointless, and ultimately, LEAVE!!
I would like to take this time to thank all of you for your support, whether it be retweeting my blog to others, or simply reading this, it is very much appreciated, and please feel free to follow my blog. i know that these times can be very hard, and know that you have my support too. we need to stick together to show these discriminatory idiots that we will not be treated like garbage any more!!
Below are photographs i have taken of the response letter. please feel free to read the letter, while i consider whether or not it is even worth seeking legal advice against them.
Even though complaining to ATOS might seem trivial and a waste of time, i personally wish that as many people as possible in similar situations to me, would complain. i wish nothing more than to see the back of ATOS and their worthless Work Capability Assessments, and seeing as though the government is not listening, im planning on hounding ATOS! making life as difficult for them as possible until they get fed up and decide that fighting with us is pointless, and ultimately, LEAVE!!
I would like to take this time to thank all of you for your support, whether it be retweeting my blog to others, or simply reading this, it is very much appreciated, and please feel free to follow my blog. i know that these times can be very hard, and know that you have my support too. we need to stick together to show these discriminatory idiots that we will not be treated like garbage any more!!
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