Lovely day

[morrison]

Had a great day seeing my grandchildren. Made me so much better poor little one that is 4 has terrible chicken pox. Even on the palist of his hands and soles of his feet. Bless his heart. I explained I couldn't cuddle him because I felt poorly too. So we blew kisses and sent hugs all day from windows of different rooms inside and out. At 4 years old he just understoodd. Amazing I thought. But as I was about to leave he said Nana could you not sleep over here for a while. We could make my bunk beds for three. You on the top; me in the middue and Daddy on the bottom. Reminded me of the film Willie Wonka and the chocolate family. Exhausted now. Need my energy for tomorrow to try and get my head around this letter to ESA for appeal. Hopefully no spots appear with meverything tomorrow. Good Nite all. Sweet dreams x

[Insight329]

What a lovely day you had! Nothing like love to fill up your (personal) gas tank!

[SheffieldJane]

Goodnight morrison. So glad you had just the kind of day you needed. Bless. 💗

[morrison in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you so much Jane. Just call me Janette from now on. Hope I feel this way tomorrow to write this letter to ESA.for this b. ....y appeal. 😠

[SheffieldJane in reply to morrison]

Janette, my Scottish grandma used to call me that. You will feel this way tomorrow, those little darlings have got very powerful magic. I wish I could see my little munchkin, I never noticed aches and pains when I had a day with him.

“ Serious systemic disease” is a good phrase for what ails us.”

PM me if I can help. I worked for the blighters in the 80’s.

[Bj2016 in reply to morrison]

I had to go to a tribunal about ESA, about four years ago, just before my PMR began. The stress is unbelievable, in my case it went on for almost exactly a year. I do feel for you. The best piece of advice I had was "you are not the best person to answer these questions. Get help."

At that time we still had an accessible Welfare Rights service. I also used a website, Benefits and Work. I have heard people have had good results using Citizens Advice too. I don't know your background, but I am an ex-civil servant so I assumed I could fill in the forms myself. Big mistake.

Good luck. The stress of all this is like fuel to PMR. Not just for the money but the feeling that "they" don't believe you. In my case the assessor had written lies about my medical assessment, too. Luckily, the tribunal saw past that. I am led to understand that more appeals are won than lost, approximately two thirds are successful, so take heart and try not to let it get you down.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Well done! Have a good nights sleep!

[Hollyseden]

Aww so glad you had a lovely day

[Hidden]

I may be wrong but I,m sure I got told to avoid anyone with chickenpox if on steroids ? Glad you had a good day , grandkids do make me feel good too

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

It is only important if you DIDN'T have chicken pox as a child.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for clearing that up 👍

[SnazzyD]

Hang on to those good bits to get through the bad bits!

[Zebedee44]

Get help with your ESA letter, you need to make sure you describe the worst you can be, not the best. The fatigue, brain fog, pain, sweats, not knowing from one day to the next how you will be, anxiety about the condition, depression, ALL of it.

It is incredibly hard to qualify for the required points but go through the descriptors and identify any areas that apply to you, both physical and mental. Get the Benefit and Works publications from their website. It's a minefield, So seek help from CAB or someone with benefit experience.

I am at the Appeals stage and have help from MIND, due to long term mental health issues which have been massively exacerbated by the process. Today I am beyond comprehensive thought while trying to survive on a tiny income which has been reduced while I negotiate the system. I could, and often do, CRY!

Good Luck, friend, best wishes, Chrissie