h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, does make me wonder why I bother sometimes. I decided to re-apply for my previous job as diagnostics and quality control technician at a garage I used to work at. No point re-applying to the police service.
The garage is a family run business and a franchised dealership and they were only to pleased to offer me a position. I would undergo a period of refresher training as I have been out of 'circulation' for a few years now with the heart problem but thats fine.
Two days after accepting the job I get a phone call from the dealer principle, THE Boss, who sadly has to tell me they can't offer me the position any longer as the insurance company that carry their motor traders policy would not accept me as a risk whilst still on medication for heart disease. Not much use for a diagnostics technician that isn't allowed to road test a car then. So end of job.
I'm then told I haven't been given medical clearance to return to work full time anyway and whats more cannot register for work at the job centre until given that clearance. I have to remain on Incapacity Benefit and Disability Allowance. The medical review board will see me again in 3 years time! That'll be 10 years out of work then.
I then had what I thought was a bit of a brainwave, why not go back to college and re-train in a different field altogether. I'm self taught with pc's. web design and programming, so seemed a good opportunity here to get some qualifications in this field.
Ah, yes, but, see, there's that word, 'but'. If I did a course that was longer than 16 hours a week I would be deemed as working and benefits would stop. Not just incapacity but housing and council tax benefit too. So another great idea down the pan!!
I then thought I saw a chink of light at the end of the tunnel. I'm informed by a medical rehabilitation 'person', that there is a scheme for people in my situation where not only can I go to college full time but it can be classed as part of my treatment and I could even get an extra allowance for doing so. Whooppee says I.
I met the criteria as I am being treated for depression as well as the heart issues so I had a home visit by this person and got the details.
I'll bet she had'nt been gone an hour when she phoned to say, yes, BUT. [see, there it is again, that word].
The scheme has been scrapped by this wonderful government, re-training as part of medical rehabilitation is still available but it's no longer free and has to be paid for similar to student fees/loans. It is discounted but still works out, for the type of course I wanted, at anything ranging from £1000 - £2500 per year. The one course is 3 years the other is 4 years. Oh, I don't qualify for financial help, no dependants see.
So, moral of the story folks, don't get a long term medical condition that can't be put right by conventional surgery or requires you to be on high doses of a variety of medications because sadly, if you do, then take a good look at the nearest scrap heap. Thats where you'll end up. I now have to survive on a flat rate benefit for minimum another 3 years and if nothing changes medically then well, consider myself retired permanently. In fact the cardiologist has already said that now. There is no further surgical intervention available other than possibly more stenting, the only by-pass surgery I would have would be to by-pass 2 main arteries to and from the heart, the other blood vessels and arteries cannot be by-passed as they are too small and too numerous. Nor am I a candidate for a transplant. So though in no danger of having a heart attack, [no more than anyone else anyway], the angina is such that it can be both unpredictable and debilitating and as far as work is concerned seems I'm too high a risk for insurance and good old health and safety reasons.

Talk about unlucky in life, unlucky in love and unlucky in health, three things that sum me up just now. Is it any wonder I'm bloody depressed!!

Think I'll change my tag again, from 'Sleepless in Lichfield' to 'Going Loopy In Lichfield'.

Oooh just think though, I could be around to pester you lot in HooToo 24/7 now.

watches as hordes of hootoo'ers race for the cliff edge like lemmings.

It does get to a stage where you think "hang on a minute, i seem to be falling through every possible hole in the supposed safety net" doesn't it?

Basically, if you are going to have some sort of chronic medical condition, it's only advisable if you get it whilst young & obviously you MUST have a family (preferably wealthy & willing) to back you up.

Being willing & able to do work within the limitations of your actual capacity doesn't seem to count. Lots of hot air talked about helping the "disabled" to help themselves, but it's a full time job trying to work your way through the system. I'd say your only chance is either to exaggerate the depression bit (mental health is trendy right now)or downplay the heart bit (it's seen as boring unless life threatening) Whatever you do, it seems you can't simply be honest, which is enough to make anyone depressed.

Anyway, you are Old. So that's that as far as They are concerned.





zdt

Have you tried contacting organisations like Mind? They might be able to help, both with doing some training and with maybe giving you employment, either paid or voluntary. You could, for instance, help other people learn to use computers.

Traveller in Time on top
"Is there not a way to study 'in your own time' like Open University should not give problems with the hour count. "

hya ST, just read your first posting...terrible luck for you, and don't governments always find ways to put the pressure on us?

"watches as hordes of hootoo'ers race for the cliff edge like lemmings."

Well watch this horde of one race for you:

St

TB had a good idea - aren't there any organisations you could get in touch with to help you? Also have you considered doing just a year's course in something like say computing? You already have the skills - you've self taught yourself!

I'll tell you one area you're not unlucky in - and that is in friends.

Oh - and how about getting involved with charities? Some of them dont' pay, and its something thats quite relaxed but at the same time gets you out of the house and doing something.

So sorry, ST, you should think they'd be interested in helping, but it's pretty much the same here.

ST, if I remember correctly, a few weeks ago it was said that the open university was going to be free online (now), to the world.
http://www3.open.ac.uk/about/


Don't forget! the lunatics are running the asylum, that's why real ones like me,don't stand a chance, we can see the wood/trees/bark and the twigs

Australia is the only asylum run by the inmates.....

OU's a good idea and would be free to people in your circumstances. Sadly, for the rest, it's material only that would be free, not including tutors, exams and degrees/diplomas/certificates. (I used to be an OU tutor.)


Jab

mmm...all the suggestion I want to give are already here.

I have one more it is bit related to what Vicki said in another thread. you seem to sleep bad and difficulties breathing. you need to find yourself reiki master willing to cake you as reiki student.

warning: do not find a reiki master who is doing it as therapy. you need to learn reiki yourself, because it is more effective.

one more thing I am not reiki master, but have seem the benefits myself. I know some one who became reiki master was completely dependent on astma medicine to cope in daily life with reiki she became less dependent.

Hi all, well some good suggestions here, thanks.
Voluntary work I have considered, over 25 years I've done a considerable amount of it. Taken scouts, cubs and under-privlidged kids on adventure camps/holidays, hill walking and climbing in Wales and the Lake District. Sometimes at a cost, financially to myself.
My reward was seeing the delight on kids faces when they sat on the summit of Snowdon or after abseiling down a rock face, slapping each other on the back with comments like, brill, magic, never thought I could do this.
Have also worked in a local youth club teaching car mechanics to "wayward youth".
I was a special constable for a number of years prior to regular service.
Just don't see myself in a charity shop somehow, not quite the same is it?
I'm now waiting for this medical rehabilitation 'officer' to call back. Apparently there is another scheme available but details are somewhat vague yet. We'll see eh?

yeah. Its a way of meeting of people as well though. But yeah I someho don't see it as you

Well

I was thinking more along the lines of Day Center than charity shop.

Hey, ST!

I actually process Incapacity Benefit for a living, and I have noticed the system seems to be designed to not give anyone a chance to get off benefits & onto something like a decent wage unless one can finance oneself in the meantime.
Luckily IB isn't means-tested, so we don't expect you to actually live off your savings (should you be lucky enough to have any...) while re-training! Still...

You're not on the scrapheap though. That was abolished years ago...

>>the system seems to be designed to not give anyone a chance to get off benefits & onto something like a decent wage unless one can finance oneself in the meantime<<

I thought it was just me, being jaundiced, biased and paranoid Phew!

Yep Unfortunately, its true.

Apart from the choice/history of profession, I'm in exactly the same position as the original poster ( So if you're on the scrap heap, consider yourself in good company, because, technically, so am I) and oddly enough, I, too have noticed this strange discrepancy in the system

And whatever you do...*whatever you do to try and dig yourself out of a hole not of your own making, believe me, there is always that little word "but"

If I discover a "butless" solution, I'll let you know In the meantime, hang on in there.

Oh! Flippin' 'eck!

As Kit said the one thing your definatly not lacking in is friends