News Article

I read a news article today passed on to me by friend. This gentleman had major brain surgery and the DWP expected him to go back to work 2 weeks later.

pa.press.net, Updated: 03/08/2010 06:56
Brain op man told to return to work
A man has received an apology after his benefits were stopped by officials who he claims told him he was well enough to return to work just days after having brain surgery.

Bryan Haigh, 50, from Leeds, underwent the major operation to remove a tumour from his brain on July 20. He said bosses at the Department for Work and Pensions decreed in a letter dated July 22 that he was officially fit to work and they could stop his £65-a-week benefits.

But a spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "Having reviewed the case, we have arranged for Mr Haigh's Employment and Support Allowance to continue. We have contacted him to apologise and inform him of his future payments. If anyone is unhappy with a benefit decision they should get in touch with Jobcentre Plus, and we will look at it again."

The next thing they will be trying to force me back to work. There is already 2.5 million people not working in the uk, if they dpeople who are to sick to work where are they saving money in the end.

Headway

Headway is a fantastic organization.  When I first had my brain haemorrhage they came to see me in hospital.  They offered great support to me and my family.    I was visited in hospital by one of their staff Sue Hannam.  She helped me to get Disability Allowance forms filled and gave me the opportunity to do different things.

After I left the hospital I attended Headway House 1 day a week.  They encouraged me to try new things and teach me basic skills like cooking and craft.  They also help people build up their confidence.  There is different types of brain injury and some people are worse than others. 

I met many different people during my time there.  Each one of them has something to give to society.  It helped me to learn to accept people for who they are.  Headway provides a range of staff and volunteers who all have different skills. 

They encourage people to try new things and to try to do things for themselves.  This is good as it helps people to regain their independence. 

Headway send some of the clients to college courses in partnership with local colleges.  This is very successful and again gets people to meet others.  I did courses myself on cooking how independent living and one where we went out to different places each week.  This was a help to me and stopped me becoming isolated. 

When my time came for me to leave Headway House.  I was appointed an outreach worker Padma Ram.  Again she helped me to fill in forms and help me find some volunteer work which I still continue to do.  They also offer support in taking you to appointments and explaining things to you that you are having difficulties in understanding. 

Headway signed me off their books as I was managing on my own.  Recently they have got back in touch and they will be coming to see me again with a new worker Nicola Rowe.  They said that even though I am coping I could do with a little more support. 

I am really thankfull for the support they have given me an will do so in the future.  Headway see their clients with brain injuries as human and treat them with dignity.