tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738650988166925493.post5674560118686613794..comments2023-05-28T11:03:27.857+01:00Comments on WOW Petition: Too Sick to Work? Attend the Work Programme or Face Sanctions!Edwin Mandellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594483686319134919noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738650988166925493.post-17770440854758863212014-04-25T09:11:26.421+01:002014-04-25T09:11:26.421+01:00You have my sympathy :( My JCA and passed me off...You have my sympathy :( My JCA and passed me off to a Work Fare Company who have done nothing but HOUND me to attend for almost two years (I ignore the letters) Some gave me phone interviews, others refused - so I simply said: I am too sick to attend in person. <br /><br />I am permanently deformed through major stomach and bowel surgery. I have damaged nerves in both bowel and stomach, which is agony without my /heavy/ medication such as morphine and gabapentin. When I am in hospital, I am not allowed out of bed on morphine - and at home I have to stay in bed as the morphine makes me dizzy and incoherent. A danger to myself and others. <br /><br />But on ESA WRAG The Work Fare company are insisting I have to attend. So far I have thrown liable in their face, and said that IF I am forced to attend like zombie, I want it in writing that they are liable if anything happens to me, so I can sue. (It's just a threat but so far in 2 years, I have not been sanctioned for non-attendance to work-fare company building.) I also TOLD them, they would need to provide a PAID taxi and somewhere for me to lie down. So far they have not agreed to my terms.<br /><br />I have evidence from GP including a fax stating I am too ill to travel by bus etc. I am on NHS provided underwear for bowel leakage (evidence on official NHS paper) I HAVE to take my medication daily/nightly as without it I am writhing in agony.<br /><br />WHAT can I possibly work at????? I am in bed 50% of the day, and never go out unless I HAVE to. NHS supply transport for me for apps and treatment. Other times I MUST have a taxi or a lift and always someone with me - as I have to take my medication.<br /><br />I am NOT a scrounger BUT I am too sick to attend this Private Workfare Company - but they don't seem to give a damn, nor do Ian Dickhead Smith and David Cruel Cameron. SURELY if I am too sick to work - then WHY bully me into courses etc (which would be impossible to attend anyway)<br /><br />I'd like to see a comment from a Work-Fare Company employee to answer our posts. But what I have been told is::: It's NOT US the DWP who instruct us to treat you this way. DWP blame the Work-Fare Company when you call them.<br /><br />Work-Fare is okay for the fit on JSA - but it's killing people on ESA WRAG.<br /><br />Sandie, UK<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738650988166925493.post-38051637535050247802013-06-14T09:45:59.275+01:002013-06-14T09:45:59.275+01:00This is an appalling experience.
Just to say you ...This is an appalling experience.<br /><br />Just to say you are not alone. I am in my mid 50s and have ehlers danlos syndrome (which I have suffered from birth), a severe sight impairment (I can no longer legally drive), widespread arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, autoimmune thyroid disease, chronic pain, and Parkinson's disease. I am housebound, SUBSTANTIALLY bed bound (at least 50% of the day), can not stand up without support or walk safely across my living room without substantial risk of falling...<br /><br />I can't realistically get out and about unless pushed in a wheelchair (I can't self propel due to weakness in my hands, wrists and shoulders) by someone else - not even to the corner shop... <br /><br /><br />AND YES YOU'VE GUESSED IT, I HAVE BEEN IN THE WORK RELATED ACTIVITY GROUP FOR OVER TWO YEARS (when I should have miraculously recovered 18 months ago) AND HAVE BEEN ON THE WORK PROGRAMME SINCE APRIL.<br /><br />I have also had verbal abuse regularly screamed at me by my so-called disability advisor, including after I admitted to her that the bullying from herself and the DWP were making me suicidal. Once she had tasted blood it was 'no holds barred'.<br /><br />They pick on the sickest and most vulnerable, and it seems to me that this is why I was targeted for WRAG and the WP, as obviously I have no realistic chance of ever getting better from several permanent and degenerative conditions.<br /><br />My health has deteriorated exponentially over the past two years due to the stress (in particular the DWP has no excuses about subjecting autoimmune patients to stress when this is a major trigger for worsening their conditions - equating this harrassment with deliberate culling).<br /><br />My GP's surgery refuses to write letters defending patients under the ESA regulations, increasingly treating anyone they know to be on benefits like pariahs, (thanks to gov't disability hate propaganda). Unfortunately there is no other surgery accessible for me in the area.<br /><br />The only positive thing is that thanks to the intervention of my local Councillor, the WP provider has now put me on phone interviews because I am unable to travel without it making me violently ill (it is about 10 miles away) and their location on an upper floor of a high-rise block makes it physically impossible for me to access independently, forcing a family member to get time off work to take me (I would also be a fire hazard, as I could not exit the building by walking down a fire-escape).<br /><br />So it might be worthwhile for you and others in this situation to contact their local Council Member or MP, as they can often pull strings.<br /><br />It IS possible for disabled individuals to do the WP via phone interviews - although the Jobcentre witch had lied (recorded on my phone!) and claimed categorically that it was "not allowed". <br /><br />And not that ANYONE who is ill should be on this wretched scheme. Even those with short-term conditions should be using their energy to heal, and not be harrassed like this.adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603148026428604966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738650988166925493.post-62697448442121071552013-06-13T19:58:01.854+01:002013-06-13T19:58:01.854+01:00This government is an absolute disgrace, as is any...This government is an absolute disgrace, as is anyone that supports their despicable policies as well as those that turn a blind eye to what's going on. What shocked me the most out of everyone that I know is that my now ex best friend said that there's nothing that any of us can do about it, we should stop moaning about the changes being made and get on with or lives... This is someone not too many years ago would stand on the picket line for better pay and conditions for people who had a trade who would already have been on a much higher wage and lower hours than many other workers in this country but atleast he was doing it. It's interesting how someones outlook changes when you work your way up to middle management and are now looking down your nose at those who are campaigning, not for a higher wage or better working conditions but for a chance just to be able to live a somewhat 'normal' life with whatever physical or mental disability or condition we have, without the government attempting to trip us up every single step of the way.JohnnyBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738650988166925493.post-38447065052711266902013-06-13T19:36:30.059+01:002013-06-13T19:36:30.059+01:00As someone who works with people who have severe a...As someone who works with people who have severe and enduring mental health problems I want to confirm that this is not a one off it happens a lot. If a letter from a doctor is required why cannot we just go back to the system when your GP gives a sick cert. Many of my clients have serious chronic mental health problems maintained on meds no longer see a psychiatrist or care manager/ social worker and are treated by their GP'sCarolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16349031480091006108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738650988166925493.post-90228636408815376942013-06-13T19:14:20.259+01:002013-06-13T19:14:20.259+01:00Sympathise with u,..totally.Unfortunately,when the...Sympathise with u,..totally.Unfortunately,when there is no ailments to be seen.Dreading assessment,look fairly healthy but 1spark of panic n i'm a jelly mess,<br /> JimmyBJIMMY BRIDGESnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738650988166925493.post-25786056904047360472013-06-13T17:06:24.510+01:002013-06-13T17:06:24.510+01:00I am not a qualified welfare rights adviser and I ...I am not a qualified welfare rights adviser and I would recommend that you consult one but it would appear from your post that you have grounds to be placed in the support group under ESA Regulation 35 (2): "(a) the claimant suffers from some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement; and (b) by reasons of such disease or disablement, there would be a substantial risk to the physical or mental health of any person if the claimant were found not to have limited capability for work related activity". Ideally you would have medical evidence, for example, a letter from a GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, CPN, etc. stating that taking part in work related activity would constitute a significant risk to your mental health which has clearly been the case.<br />Good luck and, yes, the system stinks which is why everyone should appeal poor and downright incorrect decision making rather than give in because the appeal process is so stressful, the more people who appeal and win their appeals the greater the body of evidence that ESA is not fit for purpose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com