Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[equationgirl]

All the travelling I've done has really affected my back. It's taking a long time to settle down, and today when I stood up from my desk mid-afternoon it gave way and I nearly fell over. Luckily I managed to steady myself on the desk and it went back to normal, but it did worry me a bit and make me think what would happen if it gets worse. Fingers crossed it settles down soon, else I'll have to go back to the doctor.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

All the travelling I've done has really affected my back. It's taking a long time to settle down, and today when I stood up from my desk mid-afternoon it gave way and I nearly fell over. Luckily I managed to steady myself on the desk and it went back to normal, but it did worry me a bit and make me think what would happen if it gets worse. Fingers crossed it settles down soon, else I'll have to go back to the doctor.

Can't you use a walking stick for a bit of support or do you not want to?

 

[Quartz]

All the travelling I've done has really affected my back. It's taking a long time to settle down, and today when I stood up from my desk mid-afternoon it gave way and I nearly fell over. Luckily I managed to steady myself on the desk and it went back to normal, but it did worry me a bit and make me think what would happen if it gets worse. Fingers crossed it settles down soon, else I'll have to go back to the doctor.

((equationgirl))

I think you should go back to the doctor anyway. Get them to help you stop it getting worse. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Or is that grams and tonnes these days?

 

[Meltingpot]

All the travelling I've done has really affected my back. It's taking a long time to settle down, and today when I stood up from my desk mid-afternoon it gave way and I nearly fell over. Luckily I managed to steady myself on the desk and it went back to normal, but it did worry me a bit and make me think what would happen if it gets worse. Fingers crossed it settles down soon, else I'll have to go back to the doctor.

Poor you ((eg)). I agree with Minnie that a walking stick sounds like a good idea, at least for the time being.

 

[equationgirl]

Can't you use a walking stick for a bit of support or do you not want to?

Not until I really have to, although there a few people at work who use them so I wouldn't feel too conspicuous.

 

[equationgirl]

((equationgirl))

I think you should go back to the doctor anyway. Get them to help you stop it getting worse. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Or is that grams and tonnes these days?

I think I might have to - I've only ever seen this doctor for meds though, not treatment because I was diagnosed and given a pain management plan before I moved. I suspect he'll want to refer me to an orthopaedic consultant, which means more waiting and yet another doctor to add to the list.

Definitely hurts when I sit and hurts when I stand though. Literally a pain in the arse.

 

[Treacle Toes]

The People's Review of the WCA
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/632-the-people-s-review-of-the-wca

 

[Treacle Toes]

Psychological Therapies 2012 Welfare Reform

Lord David Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform Speech at Todays Conference
http://atosvictimsgroup.co.uk/2012/12/01/psychological-therapies-2012-welfare-reform/

 

[Bakunin]

Something to consider if you're facing an ATOS medical any time soon:

http://mikesivier.wordpress.com/2012/12/01/only-you-can-close-the-atos-slaughterhouse/#comments

 

[Treacle Toes]

employment and support allowance factsheet updated | @scoopit http://sco.lt/4mia3d

 

[equationgirl]

All the travelling I've done has really affected my back. It's taking a long time to settle down, and today when I stood up from my desk mid-afternoon it gave way and I nearly fell over. Luckily I managed to steady myself on the desk and it went back to normal, but it did worry me a bit and make me think what would happen if it gets worse. Fingers crossed it settles down soon, else I'll have to go back to the doctor.

Can't you use a walking stick for a bit of support or do you not want to?

((equationgirl))

I think you should go back to the doctor anyway. Get them to help you stop it getting worse. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Or is that grams and tonnes these days?

Well, everything settled back down to normal by Sunday, so no trip to the GP required. Think I'd impinged the nerve slightly and over Friday/Saturday with lots of rest my spine became much looser and the nerve had the pressure relived. All good.

There was a talk by the CEO today. It turned out to be longer than last year's, and the hotel had bought lots of new chairs for events which were the most uncomfortable and unsupportive I'd ever sat in. After 2 hours, I was in agony. Even people without back trouble were complaining about these chairs. And people do insist on asking questions that are best left to a non-public situation. We got feedback surveys via email and mine went straight back with an overall 'good but do something about the chairs'.

Plus I couldn't read part of the presentation because of my red/black colour blindness - email sent to the communications head about that as well.

People just don't think about disabilities and how a presentation might need to be adjusted - make it available in audio and video, don't use colour combinations contra-indicated for colour blindness, give a short break to allow people to move around, that sort of thing. Nothing major or costly, just small things to make life easier for everybody.

I just know I'm going to be suffering tomorrow...

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Well, everything settled back down to normal by Sunday, so no trip to the GP required. Think I'd impinged the nerve slightly and over Friday/Saturday with lots of rest my spine became much looser and the nerve had the pressure relived. All good.

There was a talk by the CEO today. It turned out to be longer than last year's, and the hotel had bought lots of new chairs for events which were the most uncomfortable and unsupportive I'd ever sat in. After 2 hours, I was in agony. Even people without back trouble were complaining about these chairs. And people do insist on asking questions that are best left to a non-public situation. We got feedback surveys via email and mine went straight back with an overall 'good but do something about the chairs'.

Plus I couldn't read part of the presentation because of my red/black colour blindness - email sent to the communications head about that as well.

People just don't think about disabilities and how a presentation might need to be adjusted - make it available in audio and video, don't use colour combinations contra-indicated for colour blindness, give a short break to allow people to move around, that sort of thing. Nothing major or costly, just small things to make life easier for everybody.

I just know I'm going to be suffering tomorrow...

Well at least you've let the hotel know, but late for you though

Not sure what to say about the presentation, bit slack of them if they know about your colour blindness

 

[equationgirl]

Well at least you've let the hotel know, but late for you though

Not sure what to say about the presentation, bit slack of them if they know about your colour blindness

The colour blindness gets treated mainly with disbelief and as a joke. It's annoying more than bothersome - never have I worked for a company that likes grading things with traffic light systems (green - good, amber - neutral, red - bad & various variants thereof) so much.

People just don't think. If it doesn't affect them, it's not on their radar.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

The colour blindness gets treated mainly with disbelief and as a joke. It's annoying more than bothersome - never have I worked for a company that likes grading things with traffic light systems (green - good, amber - neutral, red - bad & various variants thereof) so much.

People just don't think. If it doesn't affect them, it's not on their radar.

Who does the presentations, a secretary? Could you not have a word with her?

 

[equationgirl]

Who does the presentations, a secretary? Could you not have a word with her?

Everybody writes their own, across different departments, so even if I ask people, they tend to forget and I've got bigger things to think about than continually reminding my colleagues to use white text on a red background.

 

[Quartz]

Everybody writes their own, across different departments, so even if I ask people, they tend to forget and I've got bigger things to think about than continually reminding my colleagues to use white text on a red background.

You mean they're not using the corporate style? Egads!

 

[Quartz]

With regards to your back issues, have you considered seeing an osteopath?

 

[equationgirl]

You mean they're not using the corporate style? Egads!

They do, mostly, just not these traffic light things.

I was pleasantly surprised though, the comms head wrote and apologised, thanked me for bringing it to his attention and sent me a version that I could read

I've not gone to see an osteopath because my back problem is a combination of arthritis in several vertebrae and bone growth where it shouldn't be AND not where it should be, overlaid with nerves that are basically damaged and misfiring, and consequently it isn't low back pain which has been demonstrated to benefit well from osteopathy. Other conditions don't seem to benefit as much if at all.

Thank you for thinking of me though

 

[equationgirl]

*bump*

From ash's thread - updated descriptors for ESA snuck through by coalition:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3096/pdfs/uksi_20123096_en.pdf

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

*bump*

From ash's thread - updated descriptors for ESA snuck through by coalition:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3096/pdfs/uksi_20123096_en.pdf

Refuse to read it and be further depressed

Anyway, it doesn't matter 'cos WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE TOMORROW!


except rich people

 

[equationgirl]

Refuse to read it and be further depressed

Anyway, it doesn't matter 'cos WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE TOMORROW!


except rich people

I pasted the info here in case we needed it, but having skimmed some of it I really need to look at the current descriptors and play spot-the-difference. I'm off from tomorrow so I'll add it my list of things to do over the break, if I don't die in the apocalypse.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I pasted the info here in case we needed it, but having skimmed some of it I really need to look at the current descriptors and play spot-the-difference. I'm off from tomorrow so I'll add it my list of things to do over the break, if I don't die in the apocalypse.

Maybe you should nominate a deputy in case you die

I'll be busy btw

 

[equationgirl]

Maybe you should nominate a deputy in case you die

I'll be busy btw

I nominate VP

Unless he's apocalypse-fodder too, obviously

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I nominate Greebo. If they do it together, it'll be done in half the time

 

[Greebo]

I nominate Greebo. If they do it together, it'll be done in half the time

Pfft! You're forgetting a few things: Everything takes longer with M.E.; this isn't the best time of year to ask me to do anything (even with plenty of notice); and by the time I've used my time & energy to fill in for what VP isn't up to doing I haven't got much left, not even for my own use.

May I also point out that it's Yule tomorrow and I've got a main shop to get done; the day after that, I'm doing a present drop across London; and the day after that I'll be recovering. Anything but the most essential stuff can wait.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Pfft! You're forgetting a few things: Everything takes longer with M.E.; this isn't the best time of year to ask me to do anything (even with plenty of notice); and by the time I've used my time & energy to fill in for what VP isn't up to doing I haven't got much left, not even for my own use.

That's alright. We're not in a rush

 

[equationgirl]

Pfft! You're forgetting a few things: Everything takes longer with M.E.; this isn't the best time of year to ask me to do anything (even with plenty of notice); and by the time I've used my time & energy to fill in for what VP isn't up to doing I haven't got much left, not even for my own use.

We know - you're only nominated to back up VP if I'm taken out by the Mayan Apocalypse and you both aren't (but I'm led to believe an apocalypse is pretty all-inclusive, so you won't have to do it).

 

[Greebo]

That's alright. We're not in a rush

VP might, just might, get it done some time before 2014. By which time it'll probably be out of date.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

VP might, just might, get it done some time before 2014. By which time it'll probably be out of date.

That's alright, we'll be able to compare the previous versions with the 2014 one

 

[belboid]

My mate had an interview a few months back, following which he was found capable of work, which was a bit surprising. When he read the doctors report of their meeting, he discovered that said doc had completely and utterly lied about what he (my mate) had actually said. So, 'I can sometimes walk as far as the local shop, but cant get around it since they changed the layout inside' became 'Can walk to the shop.'

Fortunately my mate had discreetly recorded the meeting, as he feared the doc would bend the truth, altho not to the extent he actually did. So he goes along to an initial appeal and goes to play the recording, but is then told he cant do so, as he hadn't got the docs permission to record, and so the recording - despite showing clearly that the doc had fabricated his notes - cannot be used. He can,apparently, use it for social and domestic purposes, which is nice.

Anyone think of a way he can still sneak the recoding into an appeal? Or the facts contained therein? Cos otherwise its just his word against the docs, of course.