2nd PIP Tribunal on Wednesday

[LilyMistri2]

So I’ve got my second PIP Tribunal on Wednesday (because my first Tribunal was later found to have been unlawful) and have to go through it all again, as if the first Tribunal wasn’t harrowing and humiliating enough.

I’m reading through all my paperwork again and it’s making me so upset and angry. They just didn’t understand how fatigue affects me, or my balance (since I had a stroke event), or my strength issues or my breathlessness issues (that actually led to a Pulmonary Embolism a few months after the hearing), at all, they were only interested in my joint pains! Such numbs culls.

I’m so foggy headed, I haven’t a clue how I’m going to express myself. I’ve a good my to let them know not to play any games with me, as I don’t have the mental or physical energy to battle them. Any key points to remember in how I explain myself? Do remind me please. I need to get my battle gear on.

Many thanks to all who respond xxx

[suzannah16]

last thing you need, sorry you have to do it again. when I have had to go to one of these things I go totally blank, can barely remember my name let alone what is wrong with me. best of luck xx

[LilyMistri2 in reply to suzannah16]

Thanks for your reply and wishes👍

[CecilyParsley]

I am so terribly sorry that you have to go through this yet again. It is an inhumane, harrowing process. I got so upset in mine that I actually had a full melt down rant . My husband and I were convinced that I had lost but I was actually awarded it. My only advice is to write down your main issues in list form and take it with you. Any question they ask you refer to your checklist. In my Tribunal they fixated on the number of nappies I went through??? And what was the name of the Service Stations we stopped in on our way to St Thomas’s Hospital? Bizarre. I wish you the very best of luck xx

[peppa]

All you can do is present your evidence honestly and don’t down play anything. Fatigue is a greatly misunderstood thing. When people hear it that don’t suffer from it they think “tired” and it’s not the same. It’s similar to migraines and headaches, not at all the same. Don’t hide your emotions, let them see how this is affecting you. So many of us have got into the habit of putting on a smile because you have to, but on Wednesday you mustn’t do that. You will undoubtedly be stressed, but use that to your advantage if you can. You deserve to be supported and if you get a negative response don’t be afraid to appeal it. I wish you the strength you need and the very best of luck. Please let us know how it goes and that you’re ok xx

[LilyMistri2 in reply to peppa]

Thanks so much for writing to me. You’re absolutely right and that’s just the advice I needed. Not to hold back. Thanks so much. 👍

[peppa in reply to LilyMistri2]

You’re most welcome. I will be thinking about you and rooting for you!!! You’re welcome to send me a private message if you’d like. Keeping everything crossed for you xx

[LilyMistri2]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I had my tribunal today. It was just as harrowing as the last. The only difference was that the judge was nicer. The doc and disability specialist were just as awful as last time and spent their time trying to trip me up. The panel also used the notes of my last tribunal and basically continued along the same line of questioning, which was a disappointment. I thought this would be a completely new tribunal in every way. I took heart from all your comments and half remembered to keep pushing what the hell fatigue means to me. My legal representative thought I got all my points out there, but of course because I was crying half the time, I didn’t know what I was saying. It was clear to me the disability ‘specialist’ should be doing another job. She just didn’t get that id been sick for 30 years, when it was all there in the notes. My dad added that my drugs have a negative effect on me (as well as helping me) and cited his own experience of taking one for a short term condition he had and at the end I said I wanted to say something when the judge started to wrap up. I said that those docs who’ve looked after me for decades know me best and not every doc letter reflects the entirety of my disability problems at all. Well that’s it. I’ve stopped crying and tomorrow I’m going to put my papers back in their folder. What is to be is to be, I did what I could. I learned two things today, I need to join a pressure group to get the PIP allowance changed to a fairer system and I need to tell my doctors more often about my conditions in minute detail, because if it ain’t there in the doctors letters, there’s no evidence. They sure as hell think more of that and the Atos Assessment than anybody could ever have believed. Forget your own evidence. Thank you again everyone for your very kind support. Take care and god bless. Xxx

[LilyMistri2]

Hello Everyone

I’m just writing to let you know that I won my tribunal finally! I couldn’t believe it after the ridiculous tribunal I went through, but here we are, I actually won. 2 years and 7 months after I submitted my PIP application, I finally won.

Ironically they’ve awarded me for only 2 and a half years, when before I had an indefinite DLA award. They obviously believe some miracle is going to make me well by November!

Thinking about going through this all again breaks my heart. But right now I’m just going to focus on the win and how proud I am that I fought so hard, despite my much deteriorated health. Two organisations really supported me, the CAB and Z2K. Where would we be without these fantastic organisations. At least they care. And my amazing family of course.

Thank you all once again for your support. I really appreciate it.

Take care xxxxx

[Krazykat26 in reply to LilyMistri2]

Congratulations!! 👏👏👏N well done for your persistence!! 🤗🌈😽😽Xx

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Krazykat26]

Thank you! Xx

[baba]

Well done you! But it shouldn't be such an ordeal.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to baba]

Yes I totally agree. The government just doesn’t care unfortunately. Xx

[LilyMistri2]

Thank you! Xx