hello,
I hope you have all had a good week so far.
I was hoping for some advice and I guess support really from people that understand and can sympathise with the conditions. I suffer with depression anxiety endometriosis fibromyalgia and also have chronic hep b (although this doesn’t affect me, I got it through FGM when I was a child sadly)
I got a full time position recently. The job is a perfect role and match my skill set having been out of work due to health concerns for the past 6months. I started the role today and the commute to location is an hour or more during rush hour.
I have been in contact with access to work for support and had my assessment yesterday where the assessor suggested a range of assistive technology, devices and ergonomics equipment and also travel support using taxis.
Now all these seems fantastic but I’m very worried about the travel side of things. The access to work coach that referred me for workplace assessment had previously said they wouldn’t fund my travel cost with taxis simply because I have a drivers license. I have tried going through UC but they can only help with bus passes.
I am unable to take public transport due to widespread pain and severe anxiety. Driving an hour plus each way will be a difficult challenge for me as my anxiety kicks in on the road, I also need to be able to adjust posture while sitting for long time and will be restricted by the concentration I need for driving, I often Infact mostly miss my way when I drive. I’m also on amitryptyline and pain killers which makes me drowsy earlier in the day.
As I type now my legs are cramping badly despite the pain killers. I know I can do this job if I have the right support but this really worries me and I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else have been in my position and how they managed to get sorted.
I want to work and also want to be able to do so with as much comfort as I can get. I’m very worried that if I’m not approved for the travel cost I may have to give up this new job before I have had a chance to settle in which will be sad for me.
I look forward to your replies. Thank you and apologies for the long read.