Monday 21 January 2013
ESA or no ESA that is the question?
Finally plucked up the courage to put finger tips to keyboard.
Been seeing a lot of Blog chatter at the moment about the Government screwing over us sickies through the benefits system. Here;s a question though. Do we as a vulnerable group in society deserve any better treatment. I mean bullies have always picked on the weakest and most vulnerable in society, just think back to your school days, we had no protection then either. So how can us sickies complain now, when the government would have people believe we are either lazy or liars, or both and that it is all in our heads. I mean look at it from their point of view, how would we feel if the poor overworked, underpaid politicians lost there expenses? and had to manage on there pittance of a wage How would the poor dears manage?
Some background about me and why I feel I have the right to speak on this subject.
Myself I suffer with FMS or in simple terms, constant chronic pain and chronic fatigue in most muscles and joints, I also have Angina, Type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy in my hands and fingers, and in my lower legs and toes, to top it all off I have many food allergies as well, and at times I am stupid enough to let it all get to me and my depression sets in. I receive minimum rate of DLA mobility and carers allowance, I receive no benefits from the government though because of a law change.
I was born in this country and have lived here for all of my 50 years, I worked and paid taxes and NI from the age of 16 to the age of 45, at 46 I had a mental breakdown and was off work for 18 months during this time I received incapacity benefit. I returned to work and found myself a great job. life felt good, but then over the next 18 months my physical health began to deteriorate, I was then dismissed from work on medical grounds after being diagnosed by the Rheumotologist with FMS, The company doctor and my own GP agreed with the diagnosis, then the pain specialist told me I would never be able to return to full time employment, I now have a stick to help me get around "slowly", and a wheelchair for when things get too much and far too many pills and sprays.For me the reason I receive no benefits is because I was back in work for less than 3 years and so had not paid enough NI contributions. I questioned this with the DWP that the 32 years I had worked did not count and that I must have at least 3 unbroken years employment before claiming ESA. I wrote to my MP who was sorry to hear about my situation, but said unfortunately I was just one of the few that falls through the cracks.
On a brighter note my wife is allowed to claim housing benefit as she is on a low wage, this means we just about scrape by with a help from the rest of the family. Without the support from my wife, my kids, my family and the people at the NHS. Time to Talk I would not be able to keep going.
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