I don't know what to do, I cannot cope with all of this

[SantasStrapOn]

S'me Stratters. I cba to name change and you'd all guess it was me anyway.

I have nobody but my DDs. No family. My family are v v toxic and I was the scapegoat. No friends. I cant bring myself to trust anyone enough. Apart from the DDs, and people like the dentist, my GP, the only people I 'talk' to are my XPILs and my XH. I don't leave the house, I am terrified of everyone and everything, and I have no trust. This time last year I wasn't quite so bad, but it's steadily got worse and worse.

ATOS, in their wisdom, decided that I was perfectly ok. They lied and said that I went on my own (I didn't), and put the opposite of what I said down. I was interviewed by a physiotherapist FGS. I appealed and was told I wouldn't get a tribunal for 18 months. That was in March.

I filled in the paperwork. Made it very clear that it was impossible for me to represent myself, told them i had noone who could attend for me, told them the real version of what happened in my interview. Told my GP what had happened. Went to see my old Psychiatrist, who I've seen on and off since having DD2. I'm having fortnightly counselling but have only just started. I know I need to sort this out, but it's so hard without any support. I have nobody to ask to represent me, and nobody has offered to.

I planned to get a letter from my psychiatrist and counsellor, and send it as supporting evidence. I spoke to the DWP, who said it was clearly a mistake and not to worry.

Today I got a letter from the tribunal service in Peterborough. The appeal was held on the 9th. I had no forewarning that it was going to take place then. Nobody told me.

My appeal has failed. I have no fucking idea what to do next, and I can't cope with even thinking about it. I have never felt so alone and helpless.

[Teabagtights]

Thyroxine makes your levels normal if you take it. If you need it you have to take it it's not a choice drug, hence the reason you take it you pay no prescription charges as its a life saving drug.

What's the option? Death

[Giglet]

Just to say, as has been said so many times already on this thread,, Stratters, you are a light on MN.

Keep hold of the love and affection for you here. I truly hope it helps.

[maras2]

All the best from me Stratters.ATOS are a bunch of bastards.You have been such help to many people,now let the Mnetters in the know help you.Good luck.

[Sunnywithachanceofshowers]

Hello lovely
I hope you've had a better day today. Big hugs xxx

[perfumedlife]

Hi Teabagtights I don't mean don't take it, I mean, just because it makes your levels normal, doesn't mean it makes you well. The problem is with the levels set, the 'normal' range is too wide, so when the GP says your bloods are normal, it's not your thyroid, it's usually wrong. Either loads of people with thyroid disease just co-incidentally have fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue/me with depression, anxiety etc or there is a link. The fibro/CFS illnesses didn't exist until after the new thyroid TSH test was introduced as the gold standard. Loads of thyroid patients either need much higher doses of it or an active form of the drug called T3.

[Chubfuddler]

Massive hugs for you stratters. You are one of MN's diamonds. There has clearly been a massive fuck up here, it will get sorted. I second contacting your MP.

[ThePlEWhoLovedMe]

Hi
Have you ever used the site No more Panic? It has a chat room and good threads about ATOS.
It is shit isn't it

xx

[BoffinMum]

An aside - I had dealings with the Job Centre Plus Access to Work people recently and they are the polar opposite to ATOS. Plenty of money and TLC there. It was like having a kind auntie sort out all my work related issues at once. So if you are tempted to try out balancing any kind of disability with a bit of work, even home based stuff for half a day a week, then make sure you talk to them, as you might find doors opening on that front where beforehand they seemed firmly slammed shut.

[knittedslippersx3]

Hey, I'm more of a lurker than a poster! When I have posted the support has been amazing. I can't offer any help as I am clueless about this stuff. But I can get angry on your behalf and just wanted to post my support.

[BOFingSanta]

Good luck with it, my lovely. I don't know much about it, but I want to join everyone else to say how brave and wonderful you are, and you know where I am if you ever need to offload. Big love.

[SantasStrapOn]

Thank you everyone for your kind words, you have no idea how much they mean to me right now.

I have checked the timeline, my assessment was made by a Registered Physiotherapist on 1st April 2012 (you couldn't make that one up) :(

I received notice of their decision on 17th May 2012 and immediately responded.

I then got a copy of the appeal papers on 7th September 2012, shortly followed by a letter from the Tribunal Service on 13th September 2012 asking me if I still wanted to go ahead with the appeal. I was given 14 days to respond. I responded within a week. The letter states that I will be given 14 days notice of the hearing.

I received NO further communication from the whatsoever. The tribunal was heard on the 9th November, and I was informed of the decision in a letter dated the same day.

I spoke to my therapist this morning. She was about as much use as a chocolate teapot, and tried to carry on with the session despite me being very distressed.

[Chubfuddler]

Oh stratters. Email your mp if you don't feel up to a phone call. It's probably better to put it in writing anyway - create a paper trail.

[ThatVikRinA22]

so have you asked what happens now given the fact you did not get notification of the date of appeal stratters?

you need to find an advocate who knows what they are doing, there must be some recourse given that you did not even know about the appeal.

i would say the CAB could point you in the right direction. You could phone them if you can get through, where abouts are you in the country?

[SantasStrapOn]

My MP is Sir Peter Tapsall. He's all in favour of this bloody shambles. :(

I've just spoken to my old divorce solicitor, who was v helpful. She's told me that I will qualify for legal aid, and she's going to dig around for a specialist solicitor and pass their details on to me. I've tried CAB, there's a number on the website given for my area, when I ring it it simply says that the service is not available in my area.

[ThatVikRinA22]

oh sodding great. I wouldnt bother with the MP then, go straight for the legal advice.

havent needed the CAB for a while but i know here its got very restricted opening times due to lack of funding

hope you get somewhere with some decent legal advice stratters.
Has the letter from the appeals process explained what happens next?

[SantasStrapOn]

Yep, I have to challenge them on a point of law, ie that they've not followed the guidelines. Which they haven't.

The MP thing is laughable. Almost as laughable as realising the sodding assessment was held on April Fools Day.

[Thistledew]

Please do try the Free Representation Unit I linked to earlier if you cannot get a solicitor local to you. They really do know their stuff, and will take on and carry out all the work on your case.

[SantasStrapOn]

Thanks Thistle, that would be helpful, I'll give them a ring in the morning :)

[beachyhead]

Hand holding here from me.... I think I would follow up with a paper trail, if you feel able, or have someone draft a letter citing a failure in their procedures, as you weren't notified correctly. Ask them for written evidence of their notification...

I guess the first thing is to get that decision put to one side, so then you can concentrate on getting relevant gp reports, psychologist reports etc to support your new assessment of a worsening condition.

And stay here and talk to us...we luff you

[ThatVikRinA22]

i cannot believe that you cant get advice from CAB! ive just spent 10 minutes on the MIND website following link to link to link to find a local one to you stratters - phoned the number to get a recorded message with fuck all useful information.

how the hell are people meant to find any help with anything!??!

[BoffinMum]

I'd contact the MP anyway, as he is there to represent you, not himself and his own views.

It's clear from the ATOS timeline that they forgot to send you a letter about the appeal and as such it was an error on their part, so hopefully that will work in your favour.

[SantasStrapOn]

Ridiculous isn't it Vicar. Like chasing your own tail.

I am starting to feel vengeful, and I'm not liking the feeling, I'm not like that and I want it to go away.

[ike1]

It would probs be worth giving CAB a call anyway to let them know about your experience. I am pretty sure they would be interested from a social policy angle.

[ike1]

I may be wrong but I think the ATOS assessors are given financial incentives to fail people.

[BastardSpiders]

The solicitor sounds like a good, positive step to getting this all sorted out.

I would contact the MP too. It is his duty to do what he can to help you, whether he likes it or not.

My MP is also a fusty old Tory, and has tried to fob me off with the party line. I pointed out to him that he was there for the benefit of his constituants - not to be a puppet of Cameron and Co. I also told him that if he continued to refuse to help his constituants than I would be left with no option but to write to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

I am probably his least favourite constituant, but he does at least write more helpful replies these days and then fobs you off.

Can you talk to your GP about all of this?

There is also Open Minds in Grimsby which might be worth contacting.