How to get theconfidence and energy to appeal

Hi All,

I found out that my pip mandatory reconsideration was declined on 24th of March. Since February 2014 I have been fighting my illness and loss of career. In June last year I became homeless as unable to afford flat even with housing benefit, so since then I have been living with my parents in a one bedroom bungalow which is cramped to say the least!

My illness leaves me with sciatic nerve pain no matter if I sit or stand lay or walk but I have been able to go out for some shopping in supermarket when the painkillers work, however this only happens a 5 days a month at the most now.

I consider myself a tough cookie and have weathered the storm so far but with the news of failing assessment I have become more depressed than I already was and seem to have lost the fight in me, whenever I think about preparing for tribunal I start crying, my brain is frazzled and the stress has got too much.

There was good news last month in the fact that I was given somewhere to live but that's all been ruined now because I don't know how I will manage Physically or financially on my own again. My parents are getting old and cannot cope with the stress of all this.

Oh my biggest problem is that my car failed MOT and the hospital I have been attending is 140mi there and back...... how am I supposed to get treatment now. My local hospital referred me there because my illness is complicated, even more complicated now DWP made their decision.

Sorry for the rant just don't know what to do, not coping anymore.

To address just one part of your post - you might be able to get transport to your hospital appointments. I suggest you speak to your GP surgery in the first instance.

Hi Victoria
I read your post with interest, and sympathy. I then got angry that you should find yourself in such an awful situation through no fault of your own.

I'm afraid I can't offer you a solution, but just a word of friendly encouragement. I know it's easy for me to say, and I really should take my own advice sometimes, but don't give up hope. I'm beginning to think that the DWP make things purposely difficult in the hope we will give up without a fight, so that's even more reason not to give in!!

People here are very friendly and supportive, so try to keep your chin up, a good rant is often just what's needed, and to know you're not on your own.

A x

HI victoria
So sorry to hear of your battles and your loses.
If someone else told you your story - ask yourself how you would respond/react. You are obviously a strong person. Be kind to yourself and have faith in your own strength.
As Amanda has said - let people support you on this site and try not to feel too bullied by DWP.
I went to appeal and found the panel initially daunting but i then felt listened to for the first time and i felt they actually believed what i had told them. Regardless of the outcome it felt like the right thing to do for me.
Take control and dont let the bullies win if you feel it's the right thing for you to do
xx

Hi Gordon, thank you for reading my post, I have read some of the guides and now a much clearer on what is involved and how to start my appeal.

I would just like take the opportunity to thank you for this website, its the best help I have received since becoming ill, the world is a better place for people like yourselves.