help!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Jun 2006, 21:09

Can anyone assist froglette with a tape of the 3rd part of Spiral?

(PS Poppy, I haven't forgotten I owe you a tape!)

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 20 Jun 2006, 09:19

Bob Jefferson wrote:(PS Poppy, I haven't forgotten I owe you a tape!)

Just the one?

under the sea · Post by **under the sea** » 20 Jun 2006, 23:38

Hi there, we have a copy of the 3rd episode on DVD if you're still looking for it. Does anyone have a copy of the first episode? We'd really appreciate it if we could borrow a copy.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Jun 2006, 16:26

We have the first part on video, so maybe we can arrange a swap? I'll pm you.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 09 Jul 2006, 08:58

This is my life

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index ... =998342006

Feeling sorry for myself today,but this is what it is like,and you cannot get the help you need.

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 09 Jul 2006, 12:03

Izzie wrote:This is my life

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index ... =998342006

Feeling sorry for myself today,but this is what it is like,and you cannot get the help you need.

Izzie, you sound down today

Don't know what you are having to cope with, but I hope that if you are struggling to get the official help you need, you at least have the support of family and friends

Anything we can do on POL?

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 09 Jul 2006, 15:44

Sorry about my last post

Feeling a bit better now have had a sleep while my off spring went out with her dad

Friends slowly vanish as nobody will watch her [too many thing wrong with her]

To get the help I need you have to get a social worker and I cant get one as I dont take drugs and she is not at risk.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 09 Jul 2006, 16:16

Izzie wrote:Sorry about my last post

Feeling a bit better now have had a sleep while my off spring went out with her dad

Friends slowly vanish as nobody will watch her [too many thing wrong with her]

To get the help I need you have to get a social worker and I cant get one as I dont take drugs and she is not at risk.

I'm sorry to hear this Izzie. I used to think social workers were only there for the dodgy end of things too, but have discovered you can get one if you are ill or disabled, and it just means they help find you the help/ carers/ parking badges/ therapists that you might need. It's a completely different field of care and one that, disappointingly, GPs tend not to have heard of. You don't need to go through your GP to see one either.

Your best bet for full info is to phone the Advice Shop on South Bridge, 0131 225 1255, or the Citizens Advice Bureau on Bath Street. Both have staff who can come to your home if you can't get to the offices.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 09 Jul 2006, 16:37

My child is disabled and still cant get social worker.

To get the help you need you have to get an assesment well quite a few and wait for this you have to get a social worker

So any advice on how to get one would be nice

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 09 Jul 2006, 17:58

Izzie wrote:My child is disabled and still cant get social worker.

To get the help you need you have to get an assesment well quite a few and wait for this you have to get a social worker

So any advice on how to get one would be nice

That is a lot of red tape to go through. They do like to mess you around and make it seem as though you're asking for the moon. And you need to know exactly what's on offer because there is no central list! The disability paperwork alone is more than most carers have time to fill in..

You'll be approaching it from three separate directions; the Department of Work and Pensions (this isn't means-tested but you do need your GP to provide a report about her health along with your first form and be prepared for a very long wait), the Benefits Agency (various forms to fill for means-tested allowances, no need for GP) and your local Social Work department, who you can phone directly and just ask for a meeting. I think their main form is about finance; to check eligibility for free or low cost care, right up to full payment for their carers etc.

My friend also gets one weekend a year respite care for her disabled daughter (and therefore one weekend of sleep for herself) but that depends on which region you live in, and whether the child is fully in a wheelchair or not, as the accomodation and waiting lists vary enormously. I think the child has to be getting top level DLA for that, but I can't remember - sorry! Waiting lists are everything; she even had to wait for her new electric wheelchair when she outgrew her last one.. (but if you only need a manual chair, the local Red Cross can lend you one)

Bill Gilchrist at The Advice Shop is an expert at helping to cut right through the red tape and removing barricades, even if he has to make the phone calls himself. He's also *very* good for morale

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 09 Jul 2006, 18:27

Thanks for the help rapunzell got the car sorted,DLA,carers allowance,and wheelchair,that side of the jigsaw is fine,We even now have our own com.nurse who is great.

She goes into the school to help the the staff cope with her and does lots more,and she has tried hard to get me a social worker with no luck.

WE realy just need help with the caring side and lack of sleep

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » 09 Jul 2006, 18:38

hi Izzie

Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time of it at the mo, I know that dealing with a child with disabilities is incredibly hard work.

I agree with Rapunzell and her advice. I would say the first port of call is getting a social worker, who could advise you on where you could get respite help/care etc. I know when I worked at Musselburgh social work centre people could self-refer. Not sure if you have tried this or not? I would also suggest that an occupational therapist may be of use to you, particularly with any equipment you or your child might need to make life a bit easier. Again, I think this would be self-referral to the relevant social work centre.

Best of luck

Giz

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 09 Jul 2006, 19:07

Sorry to be a moan as one would say been there done that,got the tea shirt.

We have an O T and get physio all I need is a social worker have been on the waiting list for one about three years now

On the phone every week to them and all they tell you is you cant get the help you need until I get a s.w.

Even phoned for a duty worker and they do nothing

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 09 Jul 2006, 20:14

You sound like a challenge for Bill Gilchrist!

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 09 Jul 2006, 21:43

Well thanks for letting me have a good old moan

Felling a lot better,she is sleeping now,and I am avay to join her.

I should be able to get two hours I hope

gilo · Post by **gilo** » 09 Jul 2006, 23:36

Izzie,
I'm sorry to hear of the hard time you are having.
If the lack of social worker is stopping the necessary assessment taking place in order to access respite care then I'd follow this up. If you've been on the waiting list three years you'll probably be there another three. I'd recommend a letter to the director copied to your MSP stating your position and what has happened so far. Unfortunately it can often be those that shout the loudest get the service.
Good luck,
Gilo

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 09 Jul 2006, 23:56

Far too much red tape with anything to do with council or social services still. Is it just me or didn't successive governments say they would deal with this problem???

Because it's people like Izzie and her family continue to get pushed out of the way when the internal politicking of local services gets into gear.

I commiserate with her because I have my own battles with these petty wee Hitlers ongoing. Maybe not as serious, but I understand her sheer frustration with this iniquitous system!

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

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