Why is there such a delay ...

[tomscribe]

Hi fellow breathless,

It's been 3-months since I asked the DWP to reconsider my Work Assessment Test [that I failed miserably this time] but yet no reply has been forthcoming. This is exactly how long it took the Atos/DWP to inform me that I was capable of picking up a cardboard box and able to get up two steps - though both not at the same time! I'm left wondering just how the Atos Doctor and the DWP are going to resolve this one? Perhaps they both need more time to invent a different set of answers to the first lot they presented; which were not only totally insulting to me, but also an outright lie. It appears that honesty within government depts. is a thing of the past - or is it just a Conservative trait?

Anyhow, after saying the above, here's some helpful advice about medication you might be taking:

Don't take Lacidipine and Paracetamol combined - it could lead to serious complications, like death.

Don't eat grapefruit with certain tablets as the two combined could also be fatal. [Look up on Google].

Ginger can help reduce the pain of arthritis.

Chilli [as in chilli sauce on a kebab] can help open up the arteries and lead to improved blood flow [good for Raynaud's Syndrome].

Bananas can in some patients, cause loose bowel movements [yes, soft poo!]

Finally, if like me you're not keen on eating fresh fruit, then Ascorbic Acid tablets [Vitamin C] can do wonders to improve health: I use Effervescent Vitamin C 1000mg dissolved in a glass containing 200ml of water per day. I've just beaten off a very nasty cold which went straight to the chest, therefore proof that Vitamin C really works!

Oh aye, don't forget to eat lots of lightly boiled cabbage as it tastes great!

Catch you next time you lovely people.

[Preshous]

Hi tom the 3 month delay will be so that you wont show up in the figures showing the amount of people appealing a medical. Took em 10 weeks to tell me. Makes me feel good to be just a statistic.

[tomscribe in reply to Preshous]

No, you're not a statistic - you're a human being like myself. No matter what this or any government do, there's no miracle cure for us - unless you're an Atos doctor who can perform miracles!

Thank you for your comment, it's highly appreciated.

[Hidden]

Re veg, I am growing kale in a container on the patio so easy to manage. It's great and really good for you. Very hardy through winter too. x

[Lynne1955 in reply to Hidden]

I grow kale at the allotment. It's fantastic and keeps going through the coldest weather. Great dark green veg.

Lynne xx

[tomscribe in reply to Hidden]

Is it good for Cervical Spondylosis? If so, I might try some - as long as it tastes like cabbage!

Thank you for your comment, it's highly appreciated.

[Hidden]

A friend was reassessed quite a long time after his original assessment, I think it was about 5 months. The original assessment was 3 months after he had filled in the form to claim so from his claim to the reassessment took 8 months or so. They are then assessing what you were like 8 months ago, not as you are on the day. They will not take into account any deterioration during that time period either. I hope they are all capable of feeling the shame they should feel about treating genuinely ill people this way.

[tomscribe in reply to Hidden]

I don't think the Atos doctors understand the meaning of degenerate illness, they probably take it to mean that we're all yobos on the make. Anyhow, one day that lot will be in the same predicament as we are now, so I'm hoping they receive the very same treatment as we have had.

Thank you for your comment, it's highly appreciated.

[timber]

They have no shame ,I really feel the DWP is nothing more than the conservatives working in a different office.

Woody

[tomscribe in reply to timber]

You got it in one!

[junegirl]

They love putting things off, i got turned down for dla, appealed date was set for this month week before they wrote saying put off until next yr now! so if they leave it till feb will be a whole yr since i appiled! xx

[tomscribe in reply to junegirl]

I guess they're waiting for you to get fed-up and go away. My advice is to stick strongly to your rights and do as I do - occasionally phone the DWP and annoy 'em!

Thank you for your comment, it's highly appreciated.

[junegirl in reply to tomscribe]

UR welcome we need to stick together n however ill frail we feel stick up for ourselves instead of being another number! gd luck hun xx

[terence1]

hello all i am new to this site,And i would just like to add my story about atos and the dwp i am 38 years old and was diagnosed with copd in 2008 i have had lung problems since a child with a bad case of whooping cough leaving my lungs scared and have suffered with asthma all my life (now chronic)i was assesesed at nutwwod house in canterbury by a nurse in july of this year (atos certified?) and scored nil points since being diagnosed with copd my lung function FEV test showed i had 2 thirds of my lungs left in four years they have detiorated to 46.5% less than half my lungs i have appealled there decision and recently had to renew my dla claim on 22/11/12 i handed my form in at my local job centre on the 19th which they recieved on the 24th on the 26th i was point blank turned down i recieved my decission before i recieved my letter confirming that they had recieved my claim pack 3 days after i recieved my decission letter my claim pack also included a lung function report from my specialist confirming that my original condition that i was awarded dla for had got a lot worse but they did not even look at this as i was told on the phone by the appeals officer who asked for all supporting medical documents of which i did supply even payng my doctors to print out my notes.only to be told that she is not medically trained to read any reports i provided so they just based the decision for my dla claim on the medical report created by atos that i wholly disagree with and disput and have already lodged my appeal against i am now reduced to living just £10 a day whilst i appeal both decissions shame on the goverment for handing a french company (yes atos is a french owned company) and putting the illest and poorest people back below the poverty line good luck all and don't let them get you down

[tomscribe in reply to terence1]

Believe me, they won't get me down now or in the future - I won't allow it! The full intent of the DWP is to pay out less benefit, and they'll go to any lengths to stop you claiming. Insist, persist, and go at your rights with everything you can muster. It's you yourself who deserves to be treated right and with respect - but alas respect seems to mean nothing to any government department.

Thank you for your comment, it's highly appreciated.

[timber]

If this present government had any shame ,they would do something about this appalling situation ,there is so much evidence that the system is grossly unfair ,and totally fails to carry out the role it is paid a great deal of our money to do.

The previous government should also hang it's head in shame for starting this demonisation of the sick and disabled ,I expect it from the tories ,they have been doing it since 1949 ,I expected better from a labour government,as for Clegg and his bunch come the next general election they will be a thing of the past,you do not make a comeback from eighth place in a bye election ,in last years council elections they had less votes than a candidate who spent the entire campaign dressed as a penguin .

I greatly admire your spirit.

Woody

[coughcough]

I have moderate emphysema with a good FEV1 of 82% but a bad gas transfer of 41%.

I do a manual job, and I am struggling with it so much I have reduced my working week to 3 days, with the result that my pay has been reduced considerably.

Because of the mobility component in the DLA, I thought I would apply to help me out.

My problem is that walking on the flat (as per the shuttle test) does not give a true idea of life in the real world, especially when you live on the Downs, and does not indicate my SOB at work (or life).

I'm expecting to be turned down . . . . .