why do i feel so gulty .after spending 31 years as a farm worker now im on dla ra to blame

[jojojones]

[helixhelix]

Poor you, guilt is a horrible feeling. But you shouldn't feel guilty. You didn't ask for this disease, and I'm sure you tried to deal with it as much as you could before stopping work. And physical work that's outside is probably the hardest to do with RA. But you paid taxes all those years, and you've put in to the system in other ways too - so don't feel bad about getting some of it back again. Take care. Polly

[louinna]

Really feel for you but am coming to terms with this desease after recently been diagnosed with it myself and am thinking sometimes you have to listen to your RA and do whats right for you, am sure lonng term it will be the best decision as no working outside in the cold weather will hopefully help your joints, i've been off work 7 weeks and will probably be off for severel more weeks and so really feel for you, but hopefully fingers crossed you will of made the right decision. Take care x

[sylvi]

As previously been said you have paid your dues now enjoy. It is hard to comes to terms with,but the battle you have to concentrate on is ra. I got made redundant 2yrs ago and i still find it hard. Have you also gone onto esa, it is what happens when job seekers who can't work go onto. Hope this is of some help. Sylvi.x

[jojojones in reply to sylvi]

thanks sylvi means a lot . yes all them years paying tax and ni .

[Hidden]

I agree - you've paid into the welfare state for 31 years in tax and NI and that is what we make those contributions for - so that when we need to we can depend on the state to support us:-}

It's hard when you've always worked and supported yourself to have to accept help from others - but remember, you only get dla when you need it and meet the criteria!

Cece x

[Hidden]

Please don't feel guilty at all - as everyone says you are the kind of person who should qualify for DLA of course! I felt guilty today when the occupational health woman came round to my house to assess my needs re equipment. I told her I felt like a fraud when others are so much worse off than me and she said "i think using your hands and wrists is a fairly basic human need and you are really struggling with it and we can help you lessen the strain on your joints - why would you feel guilty you didn't bring RA on yourself?" and I felt very reassured. I've been self employed since leaving college - about 24 years now and never required anything of the State apart from free education for my kids and . Hope you feel better now too. TTx

[Judi]

Jo Jo,

You are claiming because you have to, not because you want to.

Some other people claim (and get away with it) just because they can!

Judi

[jojojones in reply to Judi]

thanks judi cece sylvi louinna and helixhelix it means so much been beting my self up over the years. thanks jojo ( brian)

[helixhelix in reply to jojojones]

You really mustn't feel bad. As sylvi says, keep your energy for fthe more important things such as delaing with the effects of this horrible disease. And if anyone ever suggests in even the tiniest way that you should feel bad about using DLA then tell them exactly where to go, and to stay there as means that they are stupid people... Polly.

[Hidden]

You have worked so hard and for so long so dont feel guilty farm work is v hard work even for fit ans well people xx