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ESA Face to Face completed.... NOTES

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7 years 2 weeks ago #183949 by HerbalElf
ESA Face to Face completed.... NOTES was created by HerbalElf
Its been just under 3 months since the ESA WCA form was completed, I attended their Face to face assessment & I am relaxing now whilst the decision to keep me in ESA Support group is made.

I say relaxing because after 3 months of anxiety & worry since the form dropped, I feel it all went very well.

Heres what happened, hoping it will help alliviate some of your fears & unknown questions.

I arrived by taxi with a friend for support, i hadn't asked for it to be recorded so she took my notes.
The London building was packed as almost everyone had someone with them, there wasn't enough seats & one man was sitting on the floor!
After a 15 min wait on the ground floor, i was called up to wait on 1st floor with 5 others.
"Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M was playing on the piped music, No Joke :laugh:

I was called in 45 mins after my appointment time & the smiling lady genuinely apologised for the delay.

She introduced herself by first name and I asked if she was a doctor, No, a nurse she said.
I asked her if she was familiar with my condition and was surprised to know she was.
She then stated that shes aware I suffer from A) B) C) D) & E)
Unfortunately Yes, I answered.
On noticing my tiredness & fatigue she said thanked me for coming & said she understands how difficult this is for me & will try to keep it brief.

So here it is, a list of Questions asked....

1) How are you in the morning?
2) Who else do I see regarding this condition
3) Asked to see my medication & logged it into computer
4) What does the illness effect?
5) Have you had surgery?
6) How are you coping?
7) How many hours in bed because of fatigue?
8) What are your eating habits?
9) How do i get out to appointments?
10) How did you get here today?
11) How has this appointment affected your day
12) How will you feel later?
oh yeah....

Once again she thanked me for attending and asked if i had any questions.....

I asked was she going to examine me physically, no need she said.

Although I don't want to appear lured into a false sense of security, I cant help thinking She seemed genuinely empathetic & understanding.

When I answered question 2), she named the specialist hospital and said she used to work there. I told her it had taken years of referrals to get there.

When i answered question 4) I asked her if she'd read my 8 page supporting statement that accompanied the WCA, she produced it from her file said yes then asked if id written it myself.

When I answered tearfully and emotionally question 6) it seemed like she was apologising for putting me through it and assured me it wouldn't take much longer. she seemed genuinely concerned.

I noticed she was typing more of a report than just imputing to a computer & I left feeling 100 times better than when I arrived.

I stay positive & hopeful that I will continue in the Support Group & cant stress enough that all our anxieties & fears about this dreaded process lays in our minds.
in the words of Bob Marley, "nothing but ourselves can free our minds"

Keep positive in adversity, i sleep peaceful & worry free until the decision is made...

I wish you all sincerely an easy time of it, just leave no stone unturned , go into as much detail state every obstacle & most of all be yourself...

Try not to feel scared intimidated or fearful..... I was a little of all of these then I just realised.....
they cant hurt me, it is not personal, they are just people going about their job.

and from my experience they are doing it much better than ATOS.....
The following user(s) said Thank You: KathyS

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7 years 2 weeks ago #183966 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic ESA Face to Face completed.... NOTES
Thanks for the update, I hope you don't have to wait long for a positive decision.

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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7 years 2 weeks ago #184003 by HerbalElf
Replied by HerbalElf on topic ESA Face to Face completed.... NOTES
Thankyou,
Hope my experience can prepare others....
im guessing now she puts in her observations and it goes off to another office to be decided....
I forgot to ask her how long it will take,

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