Hi I was diagnoised with Fibromyalgia in 1999, and was retired from my job as a nurse. Initially in 2000 I went for the medical for incapacity and got it until 2004. However in 2001 I had my second child and in 2003 took myself off the benefits and did some part time childminding I figured if I had my own child another child of the same age wouldnt be a problem and would be company for my child. Fortunately I cared part-time for a couple of children the same age as my daugter and was fortunate enough to have clients who were in college so I would have all the holidays off with pay but more importantly get a break every 6 weeks (as I was working term time) to recharge my batteries and energy levels.
Eventually the job took its tole my daughter got older and my symptoms were flared that I gave up work again for 18 months, at the end of this time I was called by the back to work team and started looking into employment managed to get myself a job at a local children centre. Again I took myself off the sick. At the same time as getting the job my aunt who had no children was 15 years older than me and like my big sister and second mother developed lung cancer, because of my nursing background I attended all hospital appointments but was struggling with the stress of caring for a terminally ill family member and my condition. I ended up being off sick many times and in the ended up off sick in December 2009 for 3 months, I gave my notice in the march 2010 at the end of the temporary contract.
I have been on the old incapacity since April 2010 and because I had gone back off sick with the same condition within a 2 year period I was placed back in the system where I was before I got the job so my incapacity was paid at the old rate. My aunt passed away in oct 2010 which broke me down emotionally flared all my symptoms and depression.
Since 2011 I have however been trying to become self-employed and start my own business as I hate being on the sick and dont want to work for any one as we know these people dont understand fibromyalgia.
I have declared one hour a week of permitted self employed work.
In February I was called for the medical on the day of my birthday march 16th. I attended the medical centre and was made to wait 1 hour and 20 minutes I realise now they obviously did this to test me. I had the day before the examination gone into a flare up in my lower back with pain shooting down both my hips and could barely stand straight
I knew that I was going to fail the test as most of us sufferers have across the board. I actually said this to the nurse that examined me and that I had my appeal form waiting as their system does not understand.
I visited my GP who is really good my Dr knows that I want to work and am trying to be self-employed. I told my Dr that I was in a flare up on the day of the examination she said the dwp are not looking at that they are more looking at if you can cook for yourself or go shopping. My Dr appeared quite incensed by how the goal posts have been moved with the assessment of chronic pain sufferers.
Yesterday I received a call from Dwp saying I had no points based on the nurses examination and the form I filled in was conflicting with the nurses report. I did mention to the woman on the phone about my gp being supportive she suggested that I go back to my gp for a report
and that I look at my wording and fill in the appeal form the nurse had written on the report that I said I had my appeal form on the ready. The nurse had said although I had said on the form that I cannot sit for long periods without stiffness occuring I had sat for over an hour in the waiting room.
However what she failed to say I had got up several times gone to the desk asked what the hold up was and I had walked around to unstiff myself.
So appeal time it is then lol I have made an appointment with my neighbourhood office for help with the appeal and I have copied the form I sent in and have made an appointment to see my gp in the hope of her continuing to support me with a report
Watch this space
DLA
Injury at work
£1M Bonus For Axing Benefits
Work versus Benefits
