My Health Journey

 

"I never know whether I'm going to be able to attend an event because of my health condition, but I contacted Age UK Islington the day before the event and thankfully they were able to accommodate me. 

 

"It was really good to hear that there's help out there and I got in touch with two of the speakers following the meeting which has been very productive. I have a meeting with Hillside next Wednesday. After speaking to one of the Disability Employment Advisors, someone from the job centre contacted me and I'm going to meet with the Disability Employment Advisor at my local job centre too.

 

"Whilst the changes that are planned for PIP will be really bad for some people, it was also good to hear that there are some positive things that are coming out of the changes - like giving people the opportunity to try out employment without the safety net of still having benefits in place if it doesn't work out. 

 

"I was a dental nurse for 17 years, and I retrained as an underground electrician following a careers event that I'd attended. I was a year into an apprenticeship and I started to develop my current health condition. It turned out that the pressure caused by working underground had caused a physical change in my ear that affected my balance. This affected how I was able to do the job.

 

I had three operations and I didn't know if this was going to be a long term condition, or if it was temporary. It was a really difficult time. I was frustrated as I wasn't getting any conclusive answers from the hospital where I was being treated and I didn't know whether this was going to be for the rest of my life. I also felt like I was a nuisance in my workplace and this all really contributed to my depression.

 

"People find it difficult to understand that I have a serious health condition, yet I can't walk down the street without falling over.  A fall three years ago meant that I broke my coccyx and since then I cannot sit without being in chronic pain. I feel that people would have more empathy if I were an older person. As a younger person, it doesn't look like there's anything wrong with me. This has made dealing with my health condition even worse.

 

"In my apprenticeship, I was given the jobs that no-one else wanted to do, such as PAT testing. You do not need to be a fully qualified electrician to do that. There were other tasks that I would have been capable of doing, but no-one wanted to give me those jobs - I would have needed to be monitored and no-one was prepared to monitor me. I left my job two months before the end of my apprenticeship, as I felt that I couldn't cope with it any more.

 

 

"The last three years have been a very long journey, health-wise. Personal Independence Payment has transformed me though. It was not an easy process getting PIP, but I'm very thankful that I was able to get it. It has enabled me to pay for rehabilitation therapy and this has changed my life. Rehabilitation Therapy is special healthcare support that helps to minimise the impact of a disability following illness, injury, or other health conditions. 

 

"As a result of the therapy, I lost some weight and have less pressure on my coccyx. I will hopefully make a recovery and I do not expect to be claiming PIP in the long-term.

 

"I have received some helpful support along the way in my health journey from a good consultant at the hospital and some other services along the way.

 

"I am feeling optimistic about the future and grateful for the support that I've received from Age UK Islington to help me on my onward journey.

 

 

If any of the themes in this story resonate with you and you would like to get support - whether practical, financial or emotional, please contact Age UK Islington.