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ESA!!!!! ATOS!!!!!

missribbons

I dont even know where to begin. After years of being unsuccessful in employment - either being sacked or bullied, i have found myself applying for ESA.

The psychological damage that has been caused trying to be a part of society has left me on medication. I wake each morning shaking with fear, usually this is after a night of sleep walking and nightmares.

I relunctantly came to the realisation that i needed to be on ESA. The application form was intimidating and very stressful as i worded each issue i dealt with on a day to day basis. I felt i poured my darkest secrets of how life as an adult with aspergers really is and it hurt. But i needed to do this to survive.

Last week i recived a letter to say i needed to attend a medical assesment to see if i was capable for work. I attended this today.

As i had feared the whole meeting was very distressing, intrusive and completely inappropriate in regards to aspergers syndrome - or 'disease' as the healthcare advisor called it!!!

My reflexs were examined, i was asked to squat, lift my arms, bend my legs, what my hobbies were, did i use a mobile? did i go on the internet? did i play games? all baffling all invasive and all to tick boxes. 

I have avoided reading much about ATOS - the private company paid to assess us; 'lying theiving bastards' but from panoramas programme earlier this week, i feel that this is not an assesment to help those with aspergers. I am scared for the result and distraught at how this has left me feeling even more isolated and desperate than before.

Parents

  • autismtwo said:

    Why are you on ESA,, if you have autism ? You are falling into a benefit stress work trap. You need to work from your condition of Autism into the world, not from worlds relative.

    You will just end up not well again. You need a support framework to make sure you are under the correct care. Do not undermine your condition, by hoop jumping,, it does not work. I have done this all my life,, you end up in a collaspe state.

    Take care of your health first, the rest follows.

    Not everyone on the Spectrum can work, autismtwo.

    Indeed some find working more stressful than being on benefit.

    And, of those that can work, not all can easily find work in a properly supportive environment, and need help to do so.

    Also work is as much about hoop jumping as being on benefit.

    There is no one solution that will suit everyone.

    For some working in a properly supportive environment will be the solution, for others it will be living on benefits.

    The choice of whether to live on benefits or whether to work is not one about undermining ones own condition, it's about recognising ones own limitations and finding the correct solution for oneself.

    In fact your comments could be seen as reflecting and reiterating the wider societies attitudes of "if you're not working your life is worthless and meaningless and you'll only get worse so you might as well be left to rot".

    Finally, for those on the Spectrum that can not work, or find work difficult, ESA is by far the most suitable and stress free benefit that is currently available, as you not put under the same pressure to work as when you're on JSA and they will help you to find the work you're able to do, in a supportive environment.

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  • autismtwo said:

    Why are you on ESA,, if you have autism ? You are falling into a benefit stress work trap. You need to work from your condition of Autism into the world, not from worlds relative.

    You will just end up not well again. You need a support framework to make sure you are under the correct care. Do not undermine your condition, by hoop jumping,, it does not work. I have done this all my life,, you end up in a collaspe state.

    Take care of your health first, the rest follows.

    Not everyone on the Spectrum can work, autismtwo.

    Indeed some find working more stressful than being on benefit.

    And, of those that can work, not all can easily find work in a properly supportive environment, and need help to do so.

    Also work is as much about hoop jumping as being on benefit.

    There is no one solution that will suit everyone.

    For some working in a properly supportive environment will be the solution, for others it will be living on benefits.

    The choice of whether to live on benefits or whether to work is not one about undermining ones own condition, it's about recognising ones own limitations and finding the correct solution for oneself.

    In fact your comments could be seen as reflecting and reiterating the wider societies attitudes of "if you're not working your life is worthless and meaningless and you'll only get worse so you might as well be left to rot".

    Finally, for those on the Spectrum that can not work, or find work difficult, ESA is by far the most suitable and stress free benefit that is currently available, as you not put under the same pressure to work as when you're on JSA and they will help you to find the work you're able to do, in a supportive environment.

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