hi i have a esa trial comming up too been on basic moneu for 11moths now , i have vocol cord dysfunction and bronchectesis and asthmaa .

[samsam2013]

i attended a medical the examiner was rude and didnt listen despite me having all the hospital letters ect . i have a small child to support and my quality of life due to unable to do stuff has just deterirayted im only 35 and things are becomming very hard for me to do which is making me very sad as im a single mum with a demanding five year old . the examiner said i was fit and well and gave me no points my throat siezes on me too and i pass out i have been ressusitated 3 times in this last year and live with constant infections and two days after antibiotics finish im back to infection mode all night sweats legs arms sieze on me when tring to do stuff i drive a manual car which i find to tiering somtimes and that is all the examinerput in his report and said i could do what he asked therefore im fit for work i did try and explain to him but he was very arrogant and rude i left the office in tears . it has been a fighting battle just to aquire letters from hospitals ect and for some one who was on an income of 24,000 a year when i was fit and well im hardly managibg oh my child has disabilites to im her carer any help and advise as im really sad that people who need money get refused and people who abuse the system by not working all thier lifes get everything . and should i be on dla to but how will this effect my child as im her carer not looking forward to hearing as have no qaurantees il have a voice as the vocoll cord dysfunction leaves me unable to speak most times i do suffer from aspitation alot and cant eat much and even choke on fluids really sad cant cope any one advise or going through similar can you help as they keep saying go back to work and i am waiting resperitory rehab and speach therapy as well as a third cyst removed from vocol cords as well as my wole life on anibiotics cant fight to week 35 years old and 7st in wieght rap[idly deteriotating all this stress is wipiing me out nobody listens . thanx .

[Hidden]

Samsam, I have read your letter with concern. It sounds as if you need help which you aren't getting. I cannot offer personal advice, but suggest you ring BLF helpline 0300030555 who will read your message, if you tell them you sent it.

Suggest also contact CAB who could recommend the right people that could advise. I am hoping that someone will come forward to give more specialised advice.

In the meantime, I really hope that things will work out for you given helpful advice. Love annieseedx

[pollyjj]

I agree with annieseed please contact BLF, if you prefer to use email the address is

[e-mail]

polly xx

[appyalison]

Samsam, wish I could help but don't know how. BLF helpline as above would be your best bet. You need medical help and benefits help. Helpline knw a lot about both. Good luck and love to you and your little one. Alison

[Hidden]

Hi Samsam I agree with the above. Ring the BLF helpline no. They should be able to help you. One question though? If you are a single parent with a child of 5 can't you go on income support instead of ESA? If your child has a disability then she should be getting DLA (or PIP as it's nor called) which you would claim for her as she is a minor.

Don't waste your energy on comparing yourself to others - concentrate it on your own worries.

Good luck with it all. Let us know how you get on.

Bev x

[Kelda in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hypercat, I too am a single parent and I was on income support until they changed it over to ESA. I have COPD ,; emphysema, asthma and bronchiectasis. I also receive DLA middle rate care, although I think I should be getting the higher rate, but am too scared to, ' rock the boat', as I knew they will cause more problems. I am also on higher rate mobility, which is a godsend, i do admit. Anyway it's all changing to PIP soon, so I don't really know what will happen. They seem determined to deduct benefits from the disabled because they know how difficult it is for us to deal with it all on top of everything else. I am still struggling to pay the extra bedroom tax, as my daughter has gone to Plymouth university, but only part time, because I need her to be here as much as possible without affecting her studies. My advice is to claim ESA and also DLA. Good luck with it all and remember to answer the questions as if it was one your worst of days. I'm sure you'll do fine.

[Kelda]

One more thing is that I know many people who were treated really badly by ATOS. It's a disgrace. But I have heard that 75% of appeals have been accepted, so that just goes to show how wrong they are. Try to get as much support as possible. The disability rights are a good organisation where benefits are concerned. I too am fairly young. Only 45 and its not fair but we have to make the most of it. The worst thing for me at the moment is that I'm stuck tied to an oxygen machine 24/7 and feel frustrated and stuck. I really feel for you and hope you get it all sorted out without too much hassle. Your not alone and the people on here are wonderful. Best wishes to you.

[Kelda]

By the way DLA is separate and should not affect any other benefits that you are on. Love K

[Jayenne]

Hi samam,

I feel for you and your situation - however, aswell as the advice above to contact BLF, put in appeal against the decision stating all the things (and more) that you have above.

I was also assessed by ATOS in October and told I was fit to work (laughable considering how bad I was/am). So - I appealed with a detailed letter and supporting letters from GP etc. I also stated that the 'Registered Nurse' that assessed me from ATOS, had only observed me in a sitting position and not seen how I am on a daily basis when struggling to move around and that it wasn't a fair assessment of how restricted I am by my illness.

I understand that quite a percentage of appeals are successful (as was mine in the end), so don't give up - fight on and get the appeal ball rolling.

Wishing you the best of luck

Jean

[Offcut]

I have just won an ESA appeal I think it was the consultants letter out lining all of my problems that I sent a few months after I had been given the appeal date that made the difference I was there for 10 minutes before the the non doctor told me to stop and pointed out a few boxes on the forms they had in front of them. I have won both sections as one was their support services which they concluded I was incapable of attending as it would be of no benefit.

I need to find out what happens next as I do not have a clue.

I think that you have a set time in which to appeal so get things going as quick as you can. I went to my Local CAB and they have a set text to put in the appeal box. It took 14 months for my appeal date.

Be Well