To be or not to be......

[Eiram50]

Well that's the pip application completed. Although my award theoretically goes on until June next year, I fully expect, having both hips and knees replaced, no longer to receive it.

Whilst the pain is nowhere near as bad in these areas, my knees frequently give way and my balance is badly affected. Because the operation of my door was so unsuccessful , I also struggle to walk any distance.

I still can't button anything, I'm a liability with a knife, kettle, pot and can't wash my hair or dress properly without help from one of the girls- but I'm sure they'll see I've improved significantly !!!

Hey ho

Marie

[Philip]

Good luck/ break a leg. It's a terrible feeling as soon as you let go of your letter into the post box, then the oh bleep did I fill it in properly, or did I answer everything.

I've been there done that lol. I'm sure everyone on here will be rooting for you, cross everything, legs fingers arms knees and a bumpsie dasie.

You know what I mean lol.

[Eiram50 in reply to Philip]

Thank you Philip!

You're right, we've all been through the process and every

Minute of it sucks!

I can honestly say I spent 15 mins on it. Other than major surgery on 3 occasions , nothing much had changed.

I know I probably should've taken more time with it but I'm afraid my heads not in that place so whatever will be, will be.

Hope you're doing ok.

Marie

[Philip in reply to Eiram50]

With me, I knew I would get it, enhanced on both, and that's only because I have got Dementia, and when I went for an interview prior to getting PIP, I CALLED INTO DWP, and I sat down and the interveiwer and had a big your getting nothing grin, I didn't say anything until he finished rigging up his computer, he turned and said right then let me see what I've got for you, still the silly smirk on his face.

At the same moment,oh I have a letter for you, he took and just put it on his desk as if to say I'll get round to it lol and then I said you really need to read my lette, so he did eventually lol and his chin hit the desk lol, oh he said mmmm I can't do anything for you then and I said nope unless your a secret brain dr, lol no he said but then I had welfare rights to fill the forms for me which he did I signed, then my panic kicked in lol as I didn't write anything lol 2 weeks I had a visit from ATOS don't give ATOS, a very nice hitler look alike lol then 4/6 weeks later yay, the dreaded brown letter and I waited til my wife came home to open it lmao, that was that lol.

All the best

Philip x

[Eiram50 in reply to Philip]

I think it's a disgrace the hoops they make us jump through! There are cases ( yours) where it is just so unnecessary to be dragged in for discussion/ assessment. To me, it just adds insult to injury. P..... me off, of honest!

Like I say, I probably should've taken more time over it but what's fine is done.

My original award was the enhanced level for both care and mobility. By rights, I figure I may be entitled to the sane reason the care element but I've no doubt, because I've had both hips and knees replaced, they'll make the assumption that my mobility is fine , which is simply not the case.

Och well.

Marie

[Eiram50 in reply to Eiram50]

Terribly typos, apologies. I hope you get the drift of what I'm saying, fingers so swollen just now!

[meanoldtomcat in reply to Philip]

Wishing u much luck

[Eiram50]

Omg! Not my ' door " as stated, but my foot !!!

[helixhelix in reply to Eiram50]

I did wonder! & was puzzling whether it was some euphemism I didn't know for some delicate part of anatomy......

[Eiram50 in reply to helixhelix]

Haha

[sylvi]

I hope you told them all you have told us darling. Best of luck. It is a worrying time for you i know having been through it myself.xxxxx

[bevlin]

I think it depends on who you see to be honest. At my first interview with Asos I I had a rather solemn young guy who didn't have the first clue as to what RA actually involved. I was awarded the lowest amount. Went back last month for another assessment as my plp was due to run out in 12 months. Saw an ex nurse, lovely lady, had quite a laugh about things. Just received my letter about the award and I've now got the higher amount plus the lowest award for mobility and it dosent run out tilll 2023!

[Eiram50 in reply to bevlin]

Fantastic! That will be a load off your mind.

Yes, I agree it's a bit of a lottery.

When I was assessed before, I think It was fortunate in so far as the nurse who I saw, her dad had arthritis so she had a high level of insight, understanding and compassion - I doubt I'll be so lucky twice!

Marie

[nomoreheels]

They do make you feel that way don't they?! I'm sure once you have your assessment it'll be obvious all is not as it could be & with luck (!) you'll have someone with an ounce of compassion who'll assess you as it should be done & not as the DWP want. Cynical? Me? Noooo!

[Eiram50 in reply to nomoreheels]

It's just wrong isn't it? I hate the way we are made to feel and the level of stress ( bad for us !) that we are subject too.

I refuse to bother about it this time round. I will save my energies for the things I can control .

Thank you all for your good wishes

Marie