PLEASE SHARE THIS POST, THIS DISGRACEFUL PROCESS NEEDS TO BE STOPPED.

@ MartinsLewis @DamianCollins @GMB @Theresecoffey @kentlive @mgreenwoodm

Those of you who know me, are aware that I very rarely post on any social media of any kind. However my recent experience of the PIP assessment and its conclusion I feel needs to be brought to the attention of as many people as possible to instigate change.

I underwent the PIP assessment I eventually was in receipt of the 30 page report I found that the content was either completely inaccurate or manipulated in order to facilitate the scoring process.

Prior to PIP I was on DLA for which I had high care component and medium mobility component during this time I had three surgeries on my spine and didn’t report any of them I just left my payments as they were.

Prior to this assessment I was extremely dependent on my husband as a carer to dress me wash me prepare my meals and meet my needs. I am capable of getting into a car which has been adapted and make short journeys possibly once a week not even that now.

I was astounded to receive the decision of the PIP assessment which is been carried out by a nurse and I had been awarded the low care component and completely failed yes failed on the mobility component.

I suffer from degenerative disc disease, spinal cord damage and myopathy with severe muscle weakness. I have dysplasia so eating is difficult, I eat with a spoon an£ drink through a straw as my head movement is now extremely limited. I can’t see my feet ( nothing to do with my tummy) which is probably why I keep falling over them

On failure like many went to the mandatory reassessment process, as I cannot believe the manipulation of facts and inaccuracies within the 30 page report that they sent. I responded to this with a five page letter explaining both my circumstances and correcting the content of the report along with a letter from one of the top neurologists in the country supporting my disability.

All of the information that I provided was ignored and they accepted the assessors notes which was clear by some of the quotes in their decision-making process that they communicated.

I am advised that I can appeal against that decision via the tribunal. But should be aware that this will take up to a year yes up to a year to process. It would be easier as I had just had further surgery to start again..... but I loose all the monies whilst my new application is processed and I am reassessed this will be quicker.

This is even more disgusting - According to the DWP’s own statistics, the success rate for PIP mandatory reconsiderations for new claims was just 19% at the end of 2018 which means that 81% if they go on to tribunal would have to wait up to 1 year for a decision.

This is a blatant action to prevent and deter those in need who no longer have either the ability or strength to continue with the process which is inhumane and humiliating.

I don’t care which politicalParty you represent if you have any part to play with regards to this process you should be hanging your heads in shame that you are putting a human being through this demoralising process, this should take weeks not years. This process has already taken me six months to get to this point and they are now expecting me to take up to a further year to complete.

I feel I was even penalised for being able to be coherent and communicate. There are days when I’m not able to do this.

Are use a walking aid, and now wheelchair, I have to eat with a spoon use a straw to drink dependent on my husband to make my food, wash clean me and dress me. I am now extremely isolated as I live in the country. But none of this seems to make an ounce of difference to the decision-makers. I have speech recognition software as I’m not able to type anymore.

I am lucky that I have my husband who is truly my rock, and I mean that literally because if I didn’t have him to hold on to I would fall flat on my face

To find myself writing this post and those who truly know me will understand when I say I have never felt so sad and humiliated that I have to show to people the struggle that I am facing physically with my health, which is something that I would normally keep to myself, to admit I am not as strong as people think or that I am not as capable as I pretend. To let down the veil and show I am vulnerable is the hardest thing I have had to do to date. I live say to day with my life controlled by morphine and diazepam.

This has become about numbers and the reduction of costs and nothing to do with those who are in need.