Frontal lobe.

[Markhillchester]

Hi just got a letter to go for medical assesment. For dwp. .should i go alone . With my brain damage ????

[Hidden]

Is there a pal you can take along? It will make it less daunting, they can take notes for you and prompt you with any questions you may have. The times I have come away from somewhere and realised that I haven`t asked the most important thing. It would be great moral support too. Good luck

[Markhillchester in reply to Hidden]

No .have no one here its in chester on the 24. Dont even have my medical records here yet..not seen a gp yet. Only moved 12 days ago..

[Kirk5w7]

My husband went with me as moral support and also to tell me after any bits I missed, the appeal was worse I was in such a state but it showed the effects that stressful occasions have on me.

You'll find that you get a complete copy of the notes the assessor makes about you, and really it's best if you talk/deal with them yourself, they're assessing your ability to communicate , answer questions, whether you hold eye contact, if you have speech impediments,( they noticed I have a slight lisp that I didn't have before) if you rock or have any other nervous tics. As well as your physical abilities etc.

Good luck anyway, they're not there to trip you up, just ensure you're open and honest, and remember you stress how you are on your worst day, and whether you can do things repeatedly and safely . Janet xxxx

[dianaplummer]

I advise strongly try to have someone with you. As someone who has been fighting over the years for care and support for my son I learned through bitter experience that it is impossible when you are at one of these official "interviews" to take things in ( even without a Brain Injury). Contrary to the above reply, the DWP and (in the past ATOS) are NOT working for you, they are working to minimise the amount of financial help you receive, and meet latest Government targets. It is invaluable to have someone with you who knows about the process and the rights of people who are "disabled". Once there were Law Centres where advisers would go with you and keep notes. Unfortunately these have mostly shut due to lack of funds. However this last time I received help from Headway, They contacted their office near where my son lives and a representative went with us to help us record the meeting and prompt any questions we should have asked. Also to take notes on the whole "interview". It needs someone not so emotionally involved to keep a clear head and who can see through the labyrinth of sheer JARGON written and spoken by the NHS/Social services.

Please believe me, over the years I have done a veritable PHD in governmental "wheezes". And it's no use getting hurt, angry or frightened (natural response) It requires a continual, determined refusal to "give up". My son, and many other BI sufferers just can't do this alone. It has been very difficult for me (aged 73 with very little money) and I have the help and support of my other son and daughter.

We say we are a civilised democratic country and have a net to support those in society who are vulnerable. Until our politicians have the honesty to say otherwise, I will try my best to hold them to their weasel words.

I can only try and help one person at a time, my energy is more limited than it was. However if I can share my experiences and help others, I'm happy to do so.

My thoughts are with you, good luck.

[Markhillchester]

Thank you for your help . Scared now. ...

[sporan]

It would be best to take someone with you and preferably someone who knows you well and has seen the effects on bad days and how the general day to day problems affect you.

It is alos important because, if like me, under stress conditions my memory and attention deteriorate really badly and so don't always say the right thing or remember what has been said either by myself or as importantly any person asking questions.

Remember to explain as number of bad days and BETTER days rather than good days which are likely to very much rarer, certainly in my case, as it's more accurate.

The problem in description is because we get used to feeling poorly most of the time and while we recognise bad days the rest of the time it is likely to be better days and try and remember what a real good day is can be difficult.

Kind regards

Sporan