tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post6577803855662595771..comments2023-10-30T09:19:50.592+00:00Comments on The Beauty Offensive: Disability Carnival #9seahorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006649663400552591noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-71359778693265536972007-02-28T19:44:00.000+00:002007-02-28T19:44:00.000+00:00Thanks for your thoughts. I'm moving through a lis...Thanks for your thoughts. I'm moving through a list of To Do stuff gradually, and it'll be got to eventually, and yes, I think I may write to my MP, who I know to be very good. It's interesting getting perspectives from abroad. I guess bureaucrats are the same the world over.seahorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04006649663400552591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-70309380198728571832007-02-28T02:59:00.000+00:002007-02-28T02:59:00.000+00:00Your entry actually gave me a shock of horrified r...Your entry actually gave me a shock of horrified recognition. Would you be startled to know that the situation is not much different outside the UK, at least in some jurisdictions? I'm Canadian, and I was at the tender mercies of the Beneficent State not long ago, and wound up getting workshopped half to death by a bureaucrat who wouldn't take "Three years, but I haven't been looking for that kind of work, and I <I>have</I> been working in the interim" as the answer to the question "How long has it been since you worked at a job where you actually had to show up and be in the office?"<BR/><BR/>Like you, I'm a freelance writer, and disabled, although my mobility problems are nowhere near as bad as yours (I do have those "god I have no energy, being put down is looking attractive" days at the corner of Thissucks St. and Rocks Ave., however). The System, such as it is, seems not to be kind to artistic and creative types in general, which is two strikes right there.<BR/><BR/>I now have a job where I work three days a week on-site, and it's less tiring than those geedee workshops, let me tell you.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with getting your benefits. If your political system is anything like ours, I second the recommendation about getting in touch with your local MP. If nothing else, they ought to know of some resources...Interrobanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073177798747299275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-91136531469407048012007-02-20T15:20:00.000+00:002007-02-20T15:20:00.000+00:00Sorry - I'm monopolising your comments. But, my ad...Sorry - I'm monopolising your comments. But, my advise is to get in touch with your local MP - I did that when I had problems first time around and it was quite helpful. Secondly, find out the name of the head of the Incapacity Benefit department at your local Job Centre and speak directly to them. If you are able to make them aware of how ridiculous they are all the better. Good luck!fluttertonguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503797774392650926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-89779464445572444582007-02-20T14:58:00.000+00:002007-02-20T14:58:00.000+00:00Sympathies both. I'm choosing to stay as far away ...Sympathies both. I'm choosing to stay as far away from penpushers as I possibly can. I hope for an improvement in health that will one day mean I can just go 'Been nice knowing you but I'm all better now.' A miracle cure in other words. But it still nags away at me...there must be a way to persuade them I can work, as long as it's work I can actually do?seahorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04006649663400552591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-9166104309806902182007-02-20T13:57:00.000+00:002007-02-20T13:57:00.000+00:00Doesn't sound pretentious at all! I don't get Inca...Doesn't sound pretentious at all! I don't get Incapacity Benefit because I haven't made enough National Insurance contributions - no matter that when I got ill I was 22 and had been doing a degree so couldn't have worked full time for three years in a row (the requirement). Anyway, it doesn't matter now because I've just failed my Work and Pensions test. Being put down sounds surprisingly enticing right now.fluttertonguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503797774392650926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-28294063153373616582007-02-20T07:57:00.000+00:002007-02-20T07:57:00.000+00:00The rules are not only apparently rigid - bad enou...The rules are not only apparently rigid - bad enough by itself - but are rigid AND OPEN TO each petty DWP employee's own view of the matter. <BR/>Challenging them is almost impossible and for someone who suffers from any further stress adversely, a complete "no-go" area. <BR/>I live in fear - literally - to almost panic attack proportions - of the dreaded 'brown' envelope arriving and the added dread of not only its inevitable 'bad news', but the worry of having to respond in any way that jeopardises my already tenuous link to health!<BR/>Like seahorse I have a huge variation of what I can and cannot do in any 24 hr period. Any 'schemes' mainly voluntary that have given me the lee-way to participate are not deemed as being "approved"! I tried going via a voluntary group into schools to do some good, so to speak, with primary kids on how to or how not to behave - the schools loved us - but No, must stop this or loose out. I tried giving some time to a small youth club about twice a month unpaid - certainly not suitable - no reasons given of course.<BR/>God help us all.....perhaps we should just be taken out and put down?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-26344778150570008722007-02-19T19:17:00.000+00:002007-02-19T19:17:00.000+00:00Exactly. But my god, £20 a week? They really are s...Exactly. But my god, £20 a week? They really are sods. And WHY didn't you get Incapacity Benefit? Do you still not receive it? Let me know, I may have some pointers.<BR/>Oh and having just read over my post, i've decided that stating I am a writer in the manner I did was a little pretentious. But that's writers for you :-)seahorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04006649663400552591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-41163280846175644672007-02-19T18:28:00.000+00:002007-02-19T18:28:00.000+00:00My goodness me. Don't get me started on the Work a...My goodness me. Don't get me started on the Work and Pensions people. When I was refused incapacity benefit and had to look for work they scanned my CV and decided they should put down Dance Instructor, based on the fact I have a BTEC module in it, nevermind that I couldn't even stand up while waiting in line. <BR/>Then, after they lost forms, told me I was lying because the computer didn't agree with my statement and had me reapply three times, I actually broke down in the Job Centre and instead of consoling me they got a security guard to make sure I didn't disturb the veneered New Labour atmosphere.<BR/>I'm now back on income support which gives me £45 a week, £15 of which goes on rent (thank goodness for the council). I can work but I can't earn more than £20 a week, which I really don't have the energy to do anyway. <BR/>Your situation sounds like much of the nonsense that's accompanied the many policy changes and is exacerbated by the fact they are totally inflexible. You're not allowed to not fit into a box.fluttertonguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503797774392650926noreply@blogger.com