To be fed of of vile comments re disability and pip- so come on those people suggest a job for me.

[Laughydodo]

Named changes for this

Fed up of the vile comments about disability including on mumsnet.
(I know it’s a minority on here). Especially against those who claim PIP.

Fed up of feeling like a second class citizen because I claim benefits.

Fed up of people saying my mental health will improve if I am at work.

Fed up of disability top trumps with people saying things like- I have this , this and this disability and I manage to work.

Fed up that some people seem be hoping that Pip is abolished and then people like us will have to find another way to support ourselves. Also so fearful of this happening.

I clung onto work for years with having epilepsy and fibromyalgia. Fighting to stay in while employers were trying everything to get rid of me. I would be let go from one job on health grounds only to start the process again and it end the same way.

I now claim pip and esa as i have up to 20 seizures a week. Half of which I lose my memory and speech (I don’t even recognise my husband at times) and are totally wiped out for half a day at least . Would love some of the smug arseholes that’s seem to think everyone can work find someone who is willing to employ me. Oh and I piss myself as well and lose control of my bowels with many of my seizures. This is without the pain of fibro coming into it all.

So come on then these people on here who think all disabled people should work- suggest all the jobs that I can do that will benefit my mental health so I won’t be a burden on the state. Would you honestly be happy to employ me?

Sorry but the self righteous comments from people who dont have a clue is really starting to boil my piss. Oh and one day it might happen to them. I was 22 when I developed epilepsy, 30 when I got fibro after having glandular fever. I would not wish this one anyone obviously but people seem to forget that disability can happen at any time.

So waiting for the jobs suggestions to begin and the list of employers that would employ me-

FFD there is a huge area that these conditions cover. Imagine anxiety so bad you can’t leave the house, or you’re unable to shower, or you’re scared your OCD might kick in.
ADHD has a huge impact upon both an anxiety and daily living. No matter how much a person wants to fulfill a task, they can’t. No matter how many times they receive instructions they may not be able to follow them if they’re verbal. Sometimes they don’t sleep, for varying reasons, so working in some more responsible jobs may be out of the question.
Don’t be so dismissive unless you have a full understanding.

And its3.30 am and my brain isn’t functioning:
this is the post I intended to copy!

I don't criticise you, Laughydodo, I am glad you are able to claim benefit and don't have the stress of worrying too much about finances on top of your disability.

There are folk unable to walk in another's shoes. Any one of us could be stricken with a disability or have an accident which would make work nigh on impossible. Nobody has the right to judge, each case is different.

The point of the welfare state is that vulnerable people are cared for. I am glad that a little of my taxes (and I don't pay very much tax now that I am retired), goes towards helping others. One day I may need help, who knows.

You have tried hard. Now please relax and enjoy life as much as you can. Good luck.

This post so interesting, going to come back to it.

Yeah but it pissed me off too. So it’s not just about the op.

It sounds very difficult to manage your condition and there’s not a single person here who would say you should work. But, we all know people who claim disability benefits who could work. Posters will say how do you know, and I know because i’m in a health group as i have a disability myself so have befriended many. One guys tells me he has to be careful paying for his ski-ing (scottish mountain) because he could be investigated. So he pays cash instead. He stopped going to the gym and goes swimming instead, because he’s wary of being caught. I’m not saying he doesn’t have a disability, he does, but I wouldnt say he 100% cant work. He doesn’t qualify for PIP, as he doesn’t need help with the qualifying activities. He’s very comfortable financially as he had low outgoings. I know a few people like him, again, not saying any have no health conditions, they do, like myself, but rightly or wrongly, they lie on PIP forms as they want extra money coming in. Again, no judgement whether that’s right or wrong, it’s clearly not easy to live off ESA.

Many here will say no-one knows if someone is lying etc, but i know a fair few. No i wouldn’t report them as its not for me to judge. I do think for many, working part time might help their mental health. I know for myself, when i need to take time off due to my own health condition, I miss the routine and social aspect of work. But quite clearly, not every disabled person can work, but many people do know people who are lying to get PIP and that’s why the genuine people who qualify suffer as people are annoyed at those lying.

Well if some of the people on mn are to be believed you should " just" retrain to a 6 figure job in the city as apparently those jobs are out there.

In your situation I would not seek employmentbut look after youself and ignore the self righteous idiots.

He’s not claiming pip though.

ESA is based on payment of NI. So he’s entitled to it.

Pip is not means tested or based on Ni. So he’s not sick enough for it. Therefore he’s probably fine to go to gym, holidays etc.

It's like different conditions can leave people unable to work for different reasons!! Crazy!!!

There's also a big difference between "feeling anxious" and having an anxiety disorder so don't use that trivialising language.

Benefit bashing is awful op....especially when it comes to unwell people.
I also agree that benefit bashers are bitter as most workplaces are quite toxic ime and they are stuck there.

I would love to see evidence of all these people you talk about. How can you be sure there aren't any underlying mental health issues.

Who do you think will employ the chronically unemployed? Most job vacancies want experience shown in your application, it's impossible to even get an interview for a lot of unemployed people.

I have family members on Pip and they are very genuine, and without family support would not have been able to cope with the application and appeals process. Most awards of ESA or PIP are awarded at Tribunal, a lengthy and stressful process, in fact most people give up it's so stressful, I doubt the judges and professional doctors making the awards are handing disability benefits out to just anyone.

Facts? Why believe facts when she can just believe her own made-up ableist bullshit.

I think the threads about people claiming disability allowance are thinking more along the lines of the increasing number of people not working for things like anxiety.

My personal experience was that when I stopped working (moved country) my anxiety escalated into a suicide attempt and then had to have extensive therapy (which I should have done but the waiting lists are too long, luckily by the time of my 3rd suicide attempt we could afford to go private).

The reality is that for many people the way to manage anxiety is to be working and engaging. It’s fucking hard but it helps. I am not claiming that it helps everyone but there will be other people here who have had a similar experience to me.

When you have a disability like epilepsy it’s a completely different experience. I had a friend at school with epilepsy, it was awful for her. I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect someone who has multiple seizures a week to be able to safely work or drive.

They are I'm autistic and can not manage full time work. I decided to apply for PIP it was an awful process, the assessor twisted what I said, said she asked things she didn't ask. I have a social communication condition and reading back the report she totally used it against me.
I can just about manage financially without it (right now) but those poor people who rely on it.

He stopped going to the gym and goes swimming instead, because he’s wary of being caught

Er, my DH receives PIP and ESA. He also goes to the gym. He is a wheelchair user. His friend, also a wheelchair user in receipt of the same benefits, does sponsored swims for charity.

For someone who has a disability, you seem to have little insight to the lives of other disabled people.

I am really glad you are speaking out about this, OP. I think a lot of people need a good dose of reality. I couldn't imagine having even one seizure, let alone 20 per week.

I did know someone who had frequent seizures and also couldn't work anymore. The seizure were made worse by the stress. I can only imagine that stress is made infinity worse by having a boss yell at you, while in the hospital no less. A great many employers really have their heads up their own assses about employing freaking human beings. That's the part they seem to forget.

Really glad your husband has your back as well. Ofcourse, I would wish you don't have to deal with this. It must be awful.

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

i wouldnt read the posts if i was in your shoes op.
no point getting upset by ignorant posters

You did not have an anxiety disorder, therefore your experience and advice is not applicable.

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a long-term condition… rather than one specific event.

I hope PIP is replaced. It's far too hit and miss.

Erm I did, diagnosed by a psychologist. It had previously been managed with medication, this no longer worked. It took an immense amount of getting past fear to dig myself out of that. I wish we had better services for people suffering with mental health issues, I really do. At one point I was spending close to 2k a month on therapy. This is not feasible for the majority, we are not extremely wealthy so that was a big chunk of our income. I wouldn’t have done it unless I really needed to.

The trigger was entirely down to leaving work, I utterly spiralled. I am not saying any of this to have a pop at people on welfare. My point is that working can and does improve mental health for people with anxiety disorders. Even if it’s not work but caring for your kids, getting up and doing something to the best of your ability, being busy pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. All these things help.

I have fibromyalgia and CFS. I thought my lot was bad with the pain and the chronic exhaustion that gets so bad I can’t even remember how to safely make a cuppa.

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this OP also one fed up with the comments and half the population wishing me dead so I’m not a burden to them.

Have you ever been to a PIP tribunal?!!

Never applied for pip for dh as suspect the process could end up doing for him. Worked for 30 years in a high stress job then broke so thoroughly life since has been about keeping him from suicide. If awarded his would be for mental health and anxiety and it would be so deserved. I can’t explain what happened and he has done everything h to heal but it’s not happening. People don’t get it unless they have seen it sometimes.

You can't have checked Starmer's voting record at a reliable source, then. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/25353/keir_starmer/holborn_and_st_pancras/votes