Wheels on Fire
About time I shared some good news.
I went back to Headway after my previously adjourned PIP tribunal (my representative went AWOL the day before) and they referred me to Bristol Law Centre who said they would represent me. Amazing.
So in January 2023 I took the Secretary of State to Court and won. Although at the time I had no idea I wasn’t the defendant until afterwards when the Court Judgment popped through the letterbox. The whole process definitely made me feel like the underdog defending myself. Its an evil, cruel system I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
After 7 long very poor years, I’d finally been awarded the correct benefits. The stress and headaches are over. Well for another 7 years when my award ends. Then I’ll have to go through the entire thing all over again.
To anyone having to fight and prove how disabled they are my advice is find a charity relating to your ailments and ask for their help. Headway referred me to the Bristol Law Centre and without their help I know I wouldn’t have got it. They were incredibly thorough, cross referencing every single thing I said with medical notes to back up my statements.
“Usually they don’t look at your paperwork until we get into the court and they flick through them” said my lawyer. “But whatever you do, if they ask did you reapply because you’ve gotten worse, say no”. I can’t remember the reason why.
In we go, Judge introduced herself and a disability rights campaigner and someone else. Think she was a doctor but say it with me I CAN’T REMEMBER! The Judge said they’d had time to look at my papers beforehand. Which was nice.
Judge looked at Sophie and asked if she’s old enough to be there. Yes Your Honour, she’s nearly 20. (She’s currently travelling South East Asia and while helping at a dog shelter a 15yo Thai girl asked her what school she goes to hahaha!) Ah, right, onwards. Here comes the first question: “Why did you reapply, was it because you’re getting worse?” “Yes, yes it is” OH FFS STUPID BRAIN! Falling at the first hurdle. I have been getting worse. I can’t lie anymore. It’s actually impossible! Ask Sophie! She knows to only ask about her outfit if she’s prepared for the truth. Luckily that girl could carry off a bin bag.
And then they asked Sophie some questions. And then I cried at some of her answers because she puts up with a lot. I have no idea how long the whole thing lasted but they said could you wait outside please, we need 5 minutes. That was it. 5 mins was all they needed to decide I was entitled to a PIP award. I should’ve felt relieved but I didn’t. I was worn out.
If only I’d had the fight in me 7 years ago to question the DWP decision. But I didn’t. I was injured physically and mentally. (Trying to spell ‘physically’ there was difficult!) It was hard enough to get out of bed in the morning (ha! afternoon). I must’ve spent about two years living in my bedroom. Sophie says I left the Christmas tree up for an entire year once but no memory of it.
Right, now that’s out the way I’ve got a couple of new ghost/supernatural posts to write about. I said to someone the other day I don’t think they’re tied to properties like we think they are because this stuff has followed me for life.
Anyway, onwards!
