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ESA assessment
- Minxy
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1 month 2 days ago #295641 by Minxy
ESA assessment was created by Minxy
Hi I am applying for ESA, I have a rare form of spinal arthritis., chronic fatigue is one of the symptoms associated with the arthritis. I can walk 200 metres and a bit of gentle walking helps my arthritis. I am concerned as I have obviously mentioned my fatigue that the assessor will jump to the conclusion that if I can walk more than 200 metres I am going to be fit enough for work or how can I walk 200 metres with chronic fatigue. I push myself to do something as if benefits my health. But, how do I preempt the assessors thoughts ?
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- BIS
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4 weeks 2 days ago #295717 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic ESA assessment
Hi Minxy
I'm not sure that you can preempt thoughts like that. I think much depends on what else you put on your form about your ability to walk and what impact the chronic fatigue has on your daily life. You say that a little 'gentle walking' helps, but you haven't said anything here about the pain you experience, whether when you walk, you have to stop and rest, whether you have any balance issues, whether the pain is so bad it makes you breathless .or whether the chronic fatigue is so bad you never walk alone because your exhaustion might suddenly take over. By the way, I don't mean to imply that you should have said anything further here - I just list a few things that you may or may not have talked about that an assessor may be judging. They will want to know how the chronic fatigue symptoms of your arthritis affect you. One thing you should not assume is that the person reading your form will have any knowledge of what chronic fatigue symptoms are like. Even medical professionals will say that they know what it's like to be exhausted - when they don't. Remember you are the expert of your illness and how it affects you - so make sure that you provide them with enough information about how it impacts you. Do make sure that you have read the ESA guide for the questions you may be asked at an assessment.
BIS
I'm not sure that you can preempt thoughts like that. I think much depends on what else you put on your form about your ability to walk and what impact the chronic fatigue has on your daily life. You say that a little 'gentle walking' helps, but you haven't said anything here about the pain you experience, whether when you walk, you have to stop and rest, whether you have any balance issues, whether the pain is so bad it makes you breathless .or whether the chronic fatigue is so bad you never walk alone because your exhaustion might suddenly take over. By the way, I don't mean to imply that you should have said anything further here - I just list a few things that you may or may not have talked about that an assessor may be judging. They will want to know how the chronic fatigue symptoms of your arthritis affect you. One thing you should not assume is that the person reading your form will have any knowledge of what chronic fatigue symptoms are like. Even medical professionals will say that they know what it's like to be exhausted - when they don't. Remember you are the expert of your illness and how it affects you - so make sure that you provide them with enough information about how it impacts you. Do make sure that you have read the ESA guide for the questions you may be asked at an assessment.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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