I love my new CPN. She’s fantastic. At the start of my appointment, I felt leaden with the depression that’s been creeping up on me. By the end, I felt uplifted and cheerful as, for the first time in my whole life, I actually feel as though I have people on my side (that aren’t friends and Rob). I practically skipped out of the building.
Compare and contrast to my last CPN, who would meet with me once every month or two, be a half an hour late and then spend fifteen minutes nodding and taking notes. She and the psychiatrist were very fond of telling me that I needed to get a job to survive, rather than actually helping me sort out benefits.
The new CPN understands that I’m not working and the reasons why. It’s not laziness, or weakness, it’s that I physically and mentally can’t do it right now. I explained to her that I am floating on charity at the moment; that is, the kindness and generosity of, well, you lot. One of my readers and friends has lent me enough to pay my rent this month, and your donations have actually kept me in food, so thank you. (Speaking of which- people who are concerned about “anne.elk” on Paypal; it’s not a real name, it’s a Monty Python reference). But it can’t go on forever, and I want to be able to support myself.
She spent the duration of our hour-long appointment on the phone to the DWP finding out where I am with benefits. She also helped me with my income support form, made another appointment with Islington People’s Rights and basically reassured me that it might take a while, but it will be sorted out.
In the course of her phonecalls, the first positive piece of benefits information I’ve received came to light: I’ve been accepted for Disability Living Allowance! They couldn’t tell her what rates I will be getting over the phone, but if it’s anything below lower rate mobility and middle rate care, then we will appeal. I suspect it might be nothing on mobility and lowest rate care, but it can be appealed. But finally, at least one benefit is sorted out.
And the road continues in sorting out the others. When I get Housing Benefit sorted out, the CPN and psychiatrist are going to try and have me exempted from the under 25 rule.
A piece of good news for once is great.
Filed under: Bipolar Disorder | Tagged: Bipolar Disorder
Stumble It!
That’s great!
I wish I could hug this wonderful person that has done so much for you…
Holy shiznit you found a helpful one.
Good to hear things are making progress
This makes me happy.
I’m really glad to hear you’ve found a CPN who is prepared to put the effort in and help you with practical tasks.
That’s brilliant news about DLA. Hopefully you will get middle or high rate care as you’ll then get extra income support.
I hope this now means you’ve turned a corner and finally the system will start working for you.
I’ve already said on your LJ, but this is brilliant
You don’t need that amount of stress; I don’t think a ‘normal’ person could be well surviving on that little money, let alone someone with bipolar disorder. Your CPN is right, it may take a while but you will get the money you need, and although it takes a while it means you get a nice back payment to the time you sent your application in.
Fantastic news.
Congrats on getting the DLA and a non-useless CPN.
That is such good news for you, at last something positive to think on, great news you got the DLA awarded as well.
I am pretty certain HB will take into account your DLA with a claim now so fingers crossed you will get sorted.
Huzzah!
That is all.
Wonderful news – I hope this is a sign of things to come.
Yay!
hooray for AnneElk! (Is it Anne Elk who had the theory about Dinosaurs? Ooh, I love monty Python! my favourite is Terry Jones because I think he was well handsome and short and Welsh. Mmmm.
I’ve been considering sending you some money, but I’m supporting my partner who’s in a similar situation right now, and myself who is fairly wobbly, so… you know how it goes.
I’m really happy for you Seanneen. I know what a difference a kind ear makes, I really do. Life and death, really. Bless this CPN, and yourself!
That’s great news, I’m really happy that things are picking up for you!
it’s great to see this positive turn in your struggle!
good good.
glad to hear some good news your way.
so happy, good to know you have someone on your side. soo glad thing are on the up for you x
OH! I wish I could give you a big ole hug right now. This is wonderous news. Finally, a qualified and empathetic individual who knows the system & can help you work your way through it. I personallly felt like pulling out my hair at seeing the dismissive behaviour you’ve had to contend with when it was obvious you were overwhelmed with what was going on inside of you.
YAY YOU!!! ((((S))))
this is my theory, in as much as it is a theory, and it is mine: huzzah for CPNs who seem to know their job. It’s about time you got one that’s not just a jobsworth (as so many seemingly are)
W00T w00T!!! for DLA and Horah for a CPN who actually listens!!!
Both fantastic pieces of news, hope things carry on in this vein…good things happen in 3s as well as bad xx
Thats fantastic news, you deserve some decent care!!!!
x x x x
That’s great! Glad things are going a wee bit better!
That us awesome news! Glad youve got a doctor to finally help you and listen. I spend an awful lot of time visiting doctors for health reasons (physical ones) and i know how absoluetly useless and dismissive they can be for me (and for your from reading). Its great news you finally found one of the good ones. Dont let her go.Onwards and upwards! Im really so happy for you. 2008 could be your year you know…x
Glad things are on the up.
Let’s do a little experiment….
Every morning when you get up, feeling really crap or just nearly o.k, read a selection of the worse jokes from your World Book of Worst Old Jokes.
Hypothesis: (1) It is possible to splutter a laugh out even when you are the most depressed person in the world. (2) By forcing the brain to use the circuits to do with humour….well you get the idea. (3) something about the smile muscles and neuro-hormones such as endorphins.
Here’s a starter or two for tomorrow:
* Miss Smith, why is there a gherkin behind your ear?
– Oh dear, I must have eaten my pencil again.
* You remind me of the sea.
– Because I’m wild, romantic and exciting?
No, you make me sick.
* salesman: This machine will cut your work in half
customer: I’ll take two of them
* Wireless operator: There’s a tramp-steamer signalling us
Capt. : What do they want?
w/o : they want 10p for a cup of tea
(u can read the same old one’s every morning… just make sure you run through half a dozen at least)
Also:
Bipolar CEO links to this Omega-3 article
http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-15.htm
Flax oil is nearly £5 a bottle but it should last a month, say, one small teaspoon twice a day. Give it a go. Don’t forget the Vitamin C and E to go with it. In any case both these latter help the heart and immune system which takes a battering under stress.
I tend to take fish oil four capsules a day more omega three in it ( I view it as medication) so I can take it every day of the week.
I also take the cheap multivitamins and minerals
They’re just as good as the others.
Glad to hear Islington is working for you. Obviously I was a little despairing about it having worked in the Crisis team there but then again we deal with crises so its not plain sailing stuff.
Ive figured that whenever I’ve been really really well I must have been ever so slightly hypomanic. Like I run properly at about 105% and I push stuff out on the blog when Im well.
Very glad to hear that things are getting better and I wish you well in Islington
[...] than continually having to take and then get fired from jobs she’s simply too ill to do. Finally, she’s hit a breakthrough, thanks to her new CPN. Compare and contrast to my last CPN, who would meet with me once every month or two, be a half an [...]