Appeal court hearing

Hi NRLady

I am sorry to hear of the position you're in and the loss of your partner.

`Most Tribunal panels are more understanding than the average assessor and I hope that is your experience. One of the panel members will be a doctor. If you have someone who can accompany you, I would do so. Read through your notes beforehand and prepare a bullet-pointed list of the things you want to say. You will be able to refer to that list especially when they say "And is there anything else you would like us to consider". (It may not be those exact words, but they always ask something like that). You can then glance down your list and see if there is anything that hasn't come up that you think they should know about.

If you don't understand a question or you've forgotten what they asked, don't be afraid to say you don't know or ask them to repeat it. If you need a short break—say so (some are reasonable about this, and others aren't). If you're getting fatigued because of your fibro, you need to tell them—don't battle through. I don't know if you take any medication, but people often think they shouldn't take it in case it makes them sleepy, but you should appear just as you usually would at the particular time of day. (You're not the only person to have made an effort to appear clean and tidy, and then an assessor thinks nothing is wrong)

Be prepared for them to question you about pain, medication, visits to medical services, including your GP. I know you say you don't have any medical evidence - and that is fine but you need to be prepared to say why not. (I mean, in reality, your GP doesn't want to see you for fibro, chronic osteoarthritis or depression!). They will want to know if you've ever been referred to a pain clinic, had any contact with local mental health services. If you say - no and you prefer to manage it yourself, they will probably assume you are very capable. If you don't have contact with other services because you have been discharged, or you haven't been offered any help, or you've not been well enough to try and access help, then say so. If you're in pain - don't try to hide it! Expect to be shattered at the end of it!

I hope that it goes well for you.

BIS

Hi denby

I also took a client to a tribunal in a onesie and she won, she was placed in the support group.

Gary