Not Disabled Enough…

By Suzanne Wilders

It turns out that I am not disabled enough to qualify for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) . That is pretty shocking or is it?

Well, it depends how you look at it.  My husband thinks this is a positive outcome.  To be assessed, I had to write about my life with fibromyalgia and submit an A4 summary.  I complied, although I found this quite depressing and difficult.  As a result, I had a week flareup and suffered anxiety attacks waiting for 6 months for the outcome.   

I even had to submit more information, when I was initially refused PIP, because I had not amassed enough points. As a result, I had a further flareup. Revisiting my A4 summary, reading the DWP’s conclusions and thinking about what to write caused me mental anguish.

Not surprisingly, when I received the latest verdict of not enough points, I ripped up the document and put it in the bin.  I have therefore chosen to embrace my husband’s point of view.

Let me explain.  On the negative side: I am in pain every moment or every day; take medication; have flareups; regularly need duvet days when I either sleep or watch TV; have anxiety attacks and highs and lows.

 On the positive side: I manage my condition: eat healthily; take daily rests; don’t go to the doctor; do pilates; walk my daughter’s dogs; write; go on holidays in Bertha, our campervan; meet up with friends; play scrabble.  All these positives led DWP to decide that, although I have a chronic condition, it is under control and therefore don’t need assistance. 

Therefore, it is true, I am not disabled enough and for that I am thankful.