Rhetorical question re: Capita f2f

I have an assessment with Capita in ten days time. In your guide you say that I will be asked for my pre disability occupation.
A) What relevance does this have to a person's functional ability?
If I tell the truth that I was an operating theatre nurse, will this count against me? If they actually read the medical evidence I sent, then they will have seen one of the consultants mention the fact.

Like everyone else here I'm very anxious.
Just for a laugh the public transport routes tell me to walk 600yds to the nearest bus stop and the same at the other end. Said instructions say each 600yds will take 5 minutes. If it wasn't so serious it would be absolutely hilarious. Also the travel claim includes 'motorcycle' as valid transport. Oh and the nearest car park is about the same distance and is full by 9am with commuters. My husband will have to drop me off at the door and go and park. I just hope there is a lift to the second floor.

I wish everyone who's going through this the best of luck. I'm sure I'll end up at appeal. I've zero confidence in Capita. I also bet they are being paid a fortune for their 'expertise'.

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

I learnt a very long time ago not to make assumptions about people or their relationship to each other.

I feel this PIP process is rotten to the core. Whether you succeed before reaching appeal stage, seeems to depend upon what subjective assumptions are made about you, primarily by a single assessor who may or may not have dubious motives, beliefs and values, influencing their perceptions and assumptions.

Many of the conditions that cause impairments cannot be measured objectively, such as pain, tiredness, anxiety and depression. The result of these f2f assessments seems to boil down to whether the 'hp' believes you or not. I've got my f2f next week and am expecting to fail. Regardless of the result, I still find this system wholly unsatisfactory.

Good luck to everyone who's going through this.

I have now had five assessments, two for esa, two for pip and one for war pension. I have always been treated with respect by all assessors. As long as you have medical evidence to back up your claim then you should have no problems. Good luck with your f2f.

Thank you oldman. And thanks for serving our country.
I was discussing my upcoming assessment with an acquaintance today and asked 'do I go in there oohing and aaring, giving out pain signals, or do I go as my usual stoical, doing my best in a crap situation self?' He said 'go as yourself and hope that the HP will see you're genuine'. For me personally, I reckon he's right. I'll just go as myself. I just worry that after spending 26 years trying NOT to give out pain signals, doing my best to hide it in public (who wants a moaner around?) I will 'look like' I'm perfectly capable.
I'm so used to pain now that you'd probably have to start sawing a limb off in order to get a reaction.
Of course I am often completely different in private. When times are really bad I sob and pray to whatever Gods there may be to help me. Sometimes ending life feels like the only way out and I've nearly gone there many times. Only the thought of the emotional pain I would cause to others has stopped me. The assessor won't see this though.

I feel thoroughly despondent. Maybe I'll be happily surprised.

Here's hoping you will be 'happily surprised' redfeend!