Just before I get into this letter, I’d like to explain exactly what it is you’re about to read. Over the past 4 months, I’ve been battling my case with the Department of Work and Pensions in an attempt to get some support for myself during a time where, even now, my health is pretty unpredictable and unstable as to what’s going to happen soon. Unfortunately (people who have applied for “Personal Independence Payment” will understand this part) the processes and “descriptors” the entity use to decide whether you are healthy to work are incredibly generalized and don’t take any consideration to a persons records they provide (having provided extensive amounts of evidence from all medical professionals I see) and, to be honest, the departments attitude and handling of the situation has been flippant. With that being said, here’s the letter:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to yourselves today to express my intention to utilize my right to appeal your decision to deny my claim to Personal Independence Payment on the 12th of November 2015.
Upon reading your report and descriptors, I find that the system of which is used to describe and therefore decide how much support needed to my individual claim is not only flawed but incredibly generalized. I understand that such descriptors may be suffice to some individual’s claims but I believe that my claim is somewhat different to others. Whilst I can’t argue with some of the decisions made based on the descriptors, I can however argue that a majority of such descriptors are very much a hindrance and limit my ability to accumulate “points” in order to “score” a total in which is need to suffice a decision to grant Personal Independence Payment. An example would be the “Preparing food” descriptor. Despite in my original form stating that, due to gripping and the lack of strength in my hands due to Osteoporosis, I have to use utensils which are lightweight and my inability to open cans of food or peel vegetables (which was something asked in the form under “Do you require any special utensils to prepare/cook a meal” or a question along that idea) but when asked about preparing food at the meeting with Capita, nothing was asked or noted about such answers. Another example would be under the “Managing toilet needs or incontinence” descriptor. Having Ulcerative Colitis (an Inflammatory Bowel Disease), managing my toilet needs or incontinence is a day in and day out thing I have to deal with. I find myself always needing to be close to a toilet and needing to always look out for toilets or restroom facilities whilst in public to avoid the embarrassment of incontinence or “having an accident” in public. To have scored a 0 in this descriptor is not only nonsensical but also slightly insulting that a disease I suffer from extensively isn’t taken as serious as I feel it should as reflected in the score given in the descriptor. I also feel that because the conditions I suffer from are what would be called “invisible illnesses” and that (currently) whilst I have maintained most faculties of the decisions “descriptors” such as “Taking nutrition”, “Washing and bathing”, “Communicating verbally” and “Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words”, I believes it’s evident that these conditions I stated were possibly not looked into fully and therefore labeling me (as it comes across in the original decision makers letter) fit for work which I strongly disagree with.
In addition to my form, I also included copies of correspondences from the hospital to both myself and my GP which not only detailed the condition of my health and illnesses I suffer from but also how my body was reacting to treatments which were being administered. I also believe that both my GP, [GP’s NAME] and a consultant at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Dr [GASTROENTEROLOGIST NAME #1], wrote extensively also on my behalf to help support my claim and detail my conditions deeper in medical terminology with a statement written by Dr [GASTROENTEROLOGIST NAME #2] at the Leicester Royal Infirmary also possibly being sent to yourselves. The CAPITA interviewer did state that my claim had included “around 14 pieces of evidence” which I believe should be looked at and reviewed again as per request of this appeal with Dr [GASTROENTEROLOGIST NAME #1] also offering his knowledge to my case additionally if requested by yourselves.
Since the beginning of this process, I’d also like to state that circumstances regarding my claim have slightly changed. I have now being transferred to Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital in Birmingham to undergo more specialized analysis in regards to my liver diseases (Auto Immune Hepatitis, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Cirrhosis) to seek a better treatment to help treat the conditions with a possibility of surgical procedure if a suitable medication cannot work. I have also been referred to a dietitian under the Leicester Royal Infirmary to help me put on weight as, where I currently stand, I’m underweight due to my digestion problems caused by my Ulcerative Colitis which is also being looked into much more as a result of the lack of positive change/reaction bought on by medications and treatments I’m currently prescribed.
I ask that, as part of my decision appeal, you re-evaluate the evidence presented as stated by yourselves in the original decision letter that “I made your decision using information about your illnesses and disabilities including details of any treatment, medication, test results and symptoms. I consider this information is the most suitable available and enough to decide how much help you need” and take opportunity to contact Dr [GASTROENTEROLOGIST NAME #1] or any medical professional I’m under personally to speak further on my illnesses.
Yours Sincerely,
(This is where the letter ended)
Links to information about illnesses mentioned:
Ulcerative Colitis – http://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-inflammatory-bowel-disease/ulcerative-colitis
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis – http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/liver-information/liver-conditions/primary-sclerosing-cholangitis/
Cirrhosis – http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cirrhosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Auto Immune Hepatitis – http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/liver-information/liver-conditions/autoimmune-hepatitis/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/whenfategivesyoualemon/
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