If anyone is struggling- Please speak out

Kunstler & Phil – it’s funny how, when you’re going through something “challenging” in life, people do seem to say things like “you’re very brave”. I always bemused me a little – I mean, it’s not like I have a choice, is it??

I’ve had a very strange year and, somehow through the help of friends & colleagues, I’ve managed to hold it pretty much together – I’m honestly surprised about that.

I have been extraordinarily lucky though. Friends have (mostly) stood by and provided a much-needed ear when it matters and, at least as important and probably the reason I wrote this, known when to just shut up and ride. That has been so important! Sometimes just being there is all that is required.

Rachel

Cheers for the good wishes TJ, they are disciplinary charges at work.

Just got too much,my bad bonce is covered under the DDA system and the company have I feel been very negligent.
Last time I went sick with this I had a return to work interview three months later. Apart from an OHS interview two years nobody has even asked how i’m getting on

Will give the counselling a fair crack of the whip and hoping it will be of help.

Disciplinary at work. You will need good advice but it shouldn’t be too bad I would hope. You can show you are addressing / have addressed the issues and that they have note been as helpful as they might. Cross that bridge when you come to it howevr. its the leat of your concerns now

Been in touch with the union and they said pretty much the same thing

Ironically received a certificate last month for my 35 years service, hopefully long service might count for something

As you say more interested in getting the medical and mental bit sorted first though

Cheers again for the kind words

Tijuana Taxi – call 0845 604 6610 and speak to the Equality and Human Rights Commission for free, very well informed advice on how to exercise your rights under the Equality Act (incorporates the old Disability Discrimination Act). Employers who don’t adhere to their obligations under this legislation should not be allowed to get away with it.

Cheers for that, will give them a bell tomorrow, forewarned is forearmed and know this isn’t over yet by a long way

So many things wrong (apart from me) and need to be able to put my case over in a reasoned way

Just a wee expansion on the advice offered to TT above. If anyone has a physical or mental impairment, which has lasted (or would be expected to last looking forward) for 12 months, then call EHRC for advice. The Equality Act is relevant to anyone deemed to have a disability (ranging from depression to diabeties to deafness etc). You will get advice covering areas including employment, use of services (private and public), education, housing et al. Really is a top service. HTH 😀

hey ATG (Rachel)

the reason you keep being called brave is because even though you see moving forward as something you just have to do cos of the situation you’re in…. a lot of people out their dont, and some just give up completely.

you haven’t given up 🙂 i spend half my time at work making a point of the little things and how strong my patients have to be to keep battling through them. Sometimes something as small as showering, eating or getting out of bed deserves a round of applause.. as at the time, for that person, its a mountain to climb.

rambling, its early and i havent had a coffee yet so apologies if that doesnt make sense :S

Yeah that makes sense, what a person goes through and the courage it takes is relative to the circumstances.

I have been struggling for 6 years due to a bad upper back inury, that the NHS kindly convinced themselves didn’t exist, even after over a year of osteopathic manipulation and daily exercises it’s still causes all sorts of symptoms.

All I can really do is keep going as there isn’t any other option, thinking about how hard my life is or stopping to wonder if I will ever get my life back, doesn’t do any good.

That said I’m well behind on my work, as I took yesterday of to rest due to stress caused by exhaustion, so I better get back to it.

I will try and get time and post about the last 6 years of my life, but I am so busy and no one will probably be interested anyway.

I find laughter is a very powerful tool and keeps me going, there are certain things you can’t laugh about, but a lot of things that you can. Even when I should be pulling my hair out, I tend to just laugh at most of the crap I have to deal with, it’s much more fun and better for the stress levels.

You okay kaesae? It could be good for you to air your thoughts and sure people will listen. I’m very touched by the response I received from doing so.

Phil, you are right.That’s what happens to me – everything stops and the longer it goes on the more of a block doing those simple things becomes. I know that I have to do things and that they really aren’t difficult but am just mentally paralysed. It drains.

thebikechain – I don’t see an email in the profile, or maybe I’m missing some secret pm-ing system. As I type, I imagine you are probably hauling up over Maiden’s. Probably rather muddier than the last time I was there.

Hey Kunstler

I’m fine, I was going to have a moan about my neighbours but then I thought, why bother. Every time they get dragged out in handcuffs, I watch from my window and howl with laughter.

Infact the very thought of the guy with his arms up his back, running along on his tip toes, like some deranged balay dancer, when he gets marched out, makes me laugh!

Come to think of it, I laugh an awful lot, I know being happy and always laughing at stuff makes me thick and dim witted. It is however, still far less stressful and a lot more fun, than any other way of living I know of, or have tried.

Hope everyone is OK.