Numbers

I walked out of the small court room with my husband clutching two pieces of paper that I had spent the last five months fighting for. On it contained the truth, as the law sees it. The law doesn't care for targets or budgets all it cares for is the truth and the application of that truth. 

For the first time during the process of claiming PIP my medical evidence, submitted right at the start of the process was considered. The DWP rejected his evidence because he wasn't part of the NHS, an ironic statement considering that ATOS aren't either. Not only that for the first time, my own testimony was also considered, both given on my original form and during the tribunal.

The three tribunal members were ruthless in their questioning, but compassionate with it. Their aim was to ensure that the correct award level was determined in my case, and in order to do that, they needed to ask me some difficult questions about my life and the limitations I have. They allowed me to take my time and tried their best to put me at ease (not really possible in that situation). I managed to get through it with only one break (something that I paid for later). 

For the first time in the PIP process I was considered as a human, but in doing so, had to reduce me into descriptors and points, representing the way PIP is awarded. 

My life is now worth 11 points. It means I am entitled to PIP at the standard rate of daily living. I am not entitled to PIP moving around, but I still got 4 points. Considering the DWP considered my life to be worth zero points I am grateful for the 15 points the tribunal think my life is now worth.

I am now trying to process my experiences in the last few months. I don't think  I will ever feel at peace for what happened. The DWP and ATOS left me without any income for the last five months, because all m other benefits are linked to DLA/PIP. The effects of this process on my health has far reaching consequences. I haven't been able to access treatment for my condition during this time, meaning a deterioration in my health, and many more months of therapy added to my original "prescription". 

I can now at least try to move on, at least for the next one and a half years before it starts again. I have a three year award but it will be reviewed in 2 years. Its not much time, in terms of therapy it may mean I get back to the point that I was before I was subject to applying for PIP, a level most people wouldn't recognise as a good one, but that is relative. 

I now become one person amongst many who have successfully appealed against PIP. The appeal rate is so high that I hope that more people will start to take notice of whats going on, and how wrong the whole system is. My story is one amongst many, it is not the exception, it is the norm. More and more people have to include an appeal in their PIP application process. It is an unnecessary, pointless and more importantly a costly process. The system needs to change and quickly.