NHS Mask Shamed/Discrimination, escalating action (thread 2)

[Maskwoes]

First thread: Mask shamed (disability), complain? (Some TMI) http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3978398-mask-shamed-disability-complain-some-tmi

It's been almost a year since I made my original post, and the after effects are deeply ingrained in my soul. I've had my piece published in Laura Dodsworth's book "A State of Fear" too.

I complained through PALS and my concerns were escalated to a senior nurse at the MIU, where my concerns were met with pure disdain, an attitude of "fuck you, wear a mask, protect everyone, I don't give two shits about the impact on your mental health". She also wrote that any questioning regarding lack of masks would be gentler and more private - things I know have not been implemented.

I've taken legal advice to determine my legal position and I'm told I have a strong case as the MIU stance contravened governmental coronavirus regulations and the impact to my mental health is shocking. Also that my mental health conditions, including PTSD and GAD from the sexual assault, and how they affect me are enshrined as a protected characteristic (Equality Act) and their actions were in contravention of this and direct disability discrimination.

I'm about to escalate up the chain to CCG, then CQC, then sue. Why sue? Why do I feel the consuming rage to take money from the cash strapped NHS? Because it's the only language they will understand - the only thing that will force accountability and responsibility on them. I can then directly pay privately for counselling.

[Glowbuggy]

People are DYING. Wear a mask.

[Whattheactualfk]

HCPs have died from covid due to exposure from patients. So many people feel they are exempt - mild asthma, "anxiety" that isn't a diagnosed disorder but just a more clinical sounding word for "I don't like wearing a mask", etc. etc.

That's why you were asked. Demanding money seems like exploiting the situation to be honest.

I'm sorry for your situation and what you went through.

[Maskwoes]

@MLMsuperfan

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Was waiting for something like this, first reply too, you've excelled yourself.

So let me clearly spell it out for you. When you have PTSD and GAD due to a man orally penetrating you, having fucking anything covering the mouth causes severe panic attacks and has a lifetime impact on mental health .

Just wear a mask indeed

[Sushirolls]

Good for you, OP .. Good luck 🍀

[XenoBitch]

I have not seen the first thread (will go read now), but wanted to say I am so sorry this is happening to you.

The government allowed exemptions, and you fall into this category. The people saying "just wear a mask" have no idea how difficult it can be for survivors of trauma etc. I am unable to wear a mask too. I am sure you, me and others that find them distressing would happily swap our past with the ability to wear a mask.

[Ostara212]

OP I think what happened to you at that place is beyond appalling

I guess the posters who are telling you to wear a mask after what happened to you haven't actually what happened to you

I hope MN will tackle the disablist posters

Is there anything we can do to support you? I salute your courage.

[JaneTheVirgin]

I had a lot of sympathy for your situation when I first read your thread, especially as a rape victim with PTSD, and also a Healthcare worker.

Having read some of your later posts about Healthcare workers in that thread and the fact you're still coming across this angry, a year later, I think your intention always WAS to sue, and that you really need to get some help.

[Maskwoes]

Is there anything we can do to support you? I salute your courage.

The comments are all I need.

If my intention was always to sue then why leave it a year, I've considered my options, I've given them time to implement change, and I've also said I will escalate to CCG/CQC first. Suing is the last item in the line.

[DeathByWalkies]

@JaneTheVirgin

I had a lot of sympathy for your situation when I first read your thread, especially as a rape victim with PTSD, and also a Healthcare worker.

Having read some of your later posts about Healthcare workers in that thread and the fact you're still coming across this angry, a year later, I think your intention always WAS to sue, and that you really need to get some help.

This clearly wasn't a minor issue in the OP's life. This was something hugely traumatising, and he seems to have spent a year being (justifiably) angry and trying the more administrative angles, and getting nowhere so has ended up at the position of suing.

I have been on the receiving end of awful NHS care - I became homeless as a result (sofa surfing), almost ended up jobless, became suicidal as a direct result despite no pre-existing MH problems, fobbed off by my GP regarding my mental health and almost lost an internal organ as a result of being left on a waiting list for so long. The PALS response was thoroughly victim blaming. I wish I'd had the energy and resources to sue. Years down the line I'm still angry whenever I think about the way I was treated. I have really struggled to reconcile the "NHS heroes" rhetoric with the reality I've experienced.

I completely understand why the OP is still angry a year down the line, and why that doesn't indicate he always intended to sue.

[DeathByWalkies]

@MLMsuperfan

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Read the OP's previous thread, Jesus.

[Maskwoes]

This clearly wasn't a minor issue in the OP's life. This was something hugely traumatising,

Yes, exactly. It boils my piss the way mental health issues are just casually brushed under the carpet as a mere inconvenience. I want their accountability and I will not stop until I have it.

[Themeparklover]

I have Asperger's and claustrophobia induced ptsd due to being held hostage along with hypoxemia of the lung and still wear a mask as best as I can to protect others and help others out, what would warrant not wearing one

[XenoBitch]

@Themeparklover

I have Asperger's and claustrophobia induced ptsd due to being held hostage along with hypoxemia of the lung and still wear a mask as best as I can to protect others and help others out, what would warrant not wearing one

Oh, so "I can wear one, so you can too". You are not OP and do not have their history/trauma.

[Themeparklover]

Also yes I formerly worked for the NHS until recently

[Themeparklover]

@XenoBitch I was held against my will in a room for days beaten with a dislocated wrist had a bleed on the brain punched and kicked and spat at had and still have night terrors and can' take lifts and was in a room no bigger than a small home office. As stated I also have autism and struggled since birth as a severe asthmatic on cortisteroids of which I am on the clinically vulnerable list, I wear the mask and sought my own counselling to do so to protect lives, yes it was and is that important, most people these days are claiming numerous things in order to justify their anti-masker anti-vaxxer stance and it is unacceptable and rediculous, if it really affected you that much their would be significant evidences and it would have already been addressed. top disrespecting and disregarding NHS workers and scientists.

[Willyoujustbequiet]

I have cptsd. I struggle with them and have had numerous panic attacks recently.

I still wear a mask or I dont go out. My rights do no trump someone else's right to life.

[Themeparklover]

ridiculous there stop*

[FrankensteinIsTheMonster]

Went to the original thread and read all the OP's posts.

Yeah, it wasn't great. They caused you a lot of distress which could've been avoided. But they hardly chopped the wrong leg off you. They fucked up and upset you, in what was then a very new and unfamiliar, extremely difficult and rapidly-changing situation, and you had a reaction to that later on which couldn't have been reasonably predicted. Nearly a year ago. Things are very different now, we all have more experience with how this stuff works, and it's probably pretty unlikely that patients in that position now would experience the same treatment you did back then. What's suing going to achieve, other than maybe a payout for you, along with yet more prolongation of the stress associated with the incident?

[Maskwoes]

what would warrant not wearing one

As I've already said - severe panic attacks the instant anything goes near my mouth. The situation that caused my PTSD and this to happen has been one of the worst experiences of my life and I wouldn't wish it on anybody - to be derided by NHS staff due to my inability to wear a mask due to this has been unbearable, intolerable and impossible to live with at times, provoking manor depression, self harm (psych aware) and panic attacks.

I am so sorry for what you went through, but you are not me, I cannot grasp the severity of your situation and you not mine.

[XenoBitch]

[quote Themeparklover]@XenoBitch I was held against my will in a room for days beaten with a dislocated wrist had a bleed on the brain punched and kicked and spat at had and still have night terrors and can' take lifts and was in a room no bigger than a small home office. As stated I also have autism and struggled since birth as a severe asthmatic on cortisteroids of which I am on the clinically vulnerable list, I wear the mask and sought my own counselling to do so to protect lives, yes it was and is that important, most people these days are claiming numerous things in order to justify their anti-masker anti-vaxxer stance and it is unacceptable and rediculous, if it really affected you that much their would be significant evidences and it would have already been addressed. top disrespecting and disregarding NHS workers and scientists.[/quote]
I am sorry that happened to you, but comparing trauma and playing Top Trumps with it is not on. You can wear a mask, great! OP can not.
I can understand how OP feels invalidated by the NHS, but invalidation by people who have also experienced awful things.. how do you think that helps?
Your journey of recovery etc is clearly different to OP.

[Maskwoes]

, if it really affected you that much their would be significant evidences and it would have already been addressed. top disrespecting and disregarding NHS workers and scientists.

Now you're fucking VICTIM BLAMING ME? The PTSD, the GAD, the depression, the severe anxiety, everything is in my fucking notes that they had access to. They could have stopped when I told them I had PTSD, but no I had to disclose the abuse, in public, THREE FUCKING TIMES.

[Whattheactualfk]

Are you saying that NHS staff forced you to self harm by asking you to wear a mask? Because that is quite an extreme reaction.

[Maskwoes]

Honestly @Themeparklover your arrogance is breathtaking. I've been on the internet since 1994 and never have mere words on a screen hurt me as much as your victim blaming, accusatory post has.

[Chunkymenrock]

Surely there is some merit in slowly, slowly building up the mask wearing practice on a daily basis. So you can move forward from your awful experience and not let it rule you. Just a few days of holding it against your skin momentarily and then putting it away. Then the ear loop on and off and so on. So every day it is reinforcing that you CAN do it. I also find the type of mask makes a massive difference. The ones like a bra cup feel awful to me, but the disposable ones or the soft 3 layer cotton t shirt material that are pleated are so comfy. It's taken me a year to work out which I feel most comfortable in, so try a few.