andrewgiffordphotography - Network

Yet DWP does not recognise all this, because of the shitty points system that fails chronic health conditions.I insisted that DWP's...

Yet DWP does not recognise all this, because of the shitty points system that fails chronic health conditions.

I insisted that DWP's conclusion is ill-founded, easily contestable, but Sharon was really insulted by the decision and as a self employed person feels she doesn't have the time or the heart to gather deeper evidence and force the tribunal etc. So, DWP gets away with it, again.

Sharon mentioned she can't work as she'd like to because of arthritis. DWP assessor said "Well, PIP isn't designed to cover...

Sharon mentioned she can't work as she'd like to because of arthritis. DWP assessor said "Well, PIP isn't designed to cover loss of earnings" which is perverse in the extreme, implying that Sharon saw PIP as a commercial safety net, rather than as a benefit she deserves to mitigate impacts & costs.

Sharon has a biology degree and a five year doctorate in medicine, for context. She's not a chancer. She's often fatigued - not dissimilarly to ME/CFS - and misses out on lots of life.

2/2Can't enjoy 'treat' food or alcohol or symptoms flare upHas to buy own painkillersCan't work at keyboard more than a few...

2/2

Can't enjoy 'treat' food or alcohol or symptoms flare up
Has to buy own painkillers
Can't work at keyboard more than a few hours (not all day)
Can't walk the dogs every day, only every-other
Has golf-ball sized lumps on her feet
Hands sometimes seize up in a ball, won't relax for hours
Little and often no grip strength

#UKLabour #LizKendall #DWP #PIP #DisabilityBenefits

My partner Sharon has rheumatoid arthritis and was refused PIP, yet:Sometimes can't lift arms above head to remove clothingLoses days of...

My partner Sharon has rheumatoid arthritis and was refused PIP, yet:

Sometimes can't lift arms above head to remove clothing
Loses days of work because brought home food shopping in the days prior
Can't keep on top of housework
Can't wear most footwear
Can't stand for more than a handful of hours
Can't work in a dirty environment (immune suppressant drugs, which have bad long term side effects)
NHS won't provide her hormones, which effects arthritis
Can't drive further than three hours

1/2

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West ChinaI loved how each of these kids had their own style (why wouldn't they!), usually from...

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West China

I loved how each of these kids had their own style (why wouldn't they!), usually from western-influenced clothing, but with a regional twist. Noticeably more modern than their parents' more traditional and practical dress.

#Photography

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West ChinaCan't recall what they were up to when I wandered by, but very happy to volunteer for (insist...

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West China

Can't recall what they were up to when I wandered by, but very happy to volunteer for (insist on) a portrait together, as brothers.

#Photography

Disgusted by this Labour government. I could see Starmer's intentions early on, the smarmy let down.Their money grab from those with the...

Disgusted by this Labour government. I could see Starmer's intentions early on, the smarmy let down.

Their money grab from those with the least is counter productive penny pinching, totally short sighted.

I'd voted Labour for over a decade, but Lib Dems was the only manifesto with any humanity.

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West ChinaHigh fashion at altitude and some posing, but not before hugs of welcome and showing me some...

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West China

High fashion at altitude and some posing, but not before hugs of welcome and showing me some stunts and tricks on a bike with the forks facing backwards, possibly intentionally.

#Photography

I'm not being funny or anything, but!20oC forecast in Bristol this week, in mid March?Wtf.

I'm not being funny or anything, but!

20oC forecast in Bristol this week, in mid March?

Wtf.

This isn't a first for me. Quite common, especially if I've not been doing enough breath work and breath holds in the preceding...

This isn't a first for me. Quite common, especially if I've not been doing enough breath work and breath holds in the preceding days. I sometimes wake to air hunger in the night, if PEM'd or have over done it.

Woke to air hunger today - as if not getting enough air in and expelled. Took an hour to settle it.Not sure why. Had a good day yesterday...

Woke to air hunger today - as if not getting enough air in and expelled. Took an hour to settle it.

Not sure why. Had a good day yesterday and didn't over-do it, I thought. Often a sign of PEM or it being imminent.

Any other pwME get this?

#pwME #MECFS #BreathWork #AirHunger #Breathing #Buteyko

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West ChinaThe more modern part of town being built out. Almost all materials and supplies had to be hauled...

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West China

The more modern part of town being built out. Almost all materials and supplies had to be hauled up mountain passes, we're at nearly 4,000m here.

#Photography

Been having a Mike Leigh film spree. So good. How he combines humour and irony with tenderness and tragedy is phenomenal. I'm totally...

Been having a Mike Leigh film spree. So good. How he combines humour and irony with tenderness and tragedy is phenomenal. I'm totally there, right in the film, I already know all of the characters, in real life.

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West ChinaThe aforementioned home made explosive, pre ceremonial lobbing from the peak into the valley...

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West China

The aforementioned home made explosive, pre ceremonial lobbing from the peak into the valley below.

#Photography

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West ChinaOn Buddhist NYD I was woken at 4AM, to hike and scramble up this peak with two locals to lob home...

Photo from a while ago: Sichuan, West China

On Buddhist NYD I was woken at 4AM, to hike and scramble up this peak with two locals to lob home made explosives off the top to ward off evil spirits. We could hear the village prayers and chanting from above. Many jokes about damp fuses.

#Photography

Here I sit - from my ME/CFS photo projecthttps://glass.photo/andrewgifford/5D3zQsJDl3SDYaWqOGoBHX#9bc0b855-22f3-4cdd-bb42-20b1fcf9f67aVery...

Here I sit - from my ME/CFS photo project

https://glass.photo/andrewgifford/5D3zQsJDl3SDYaWqOGoBHX#9bc0b855-22f3-4cdd-bb42-20b1fcf9f67a

Very grateful to the ME/LC research community and all the nice people who make the Internet a supportive place.

#LongCovidAwarenessDay #LongCovid #pwME #MECFS #Photography #MECFSart

Photo from a while ago: frontier town, West ChinaNursing altitude sickness I sat around our motel a lot, soon befriended by this girl,...

Photo from a while ago: frontier town, West China

Nursing altitude sickness I sat around our motel a lot, soon befriended by this girl, daughter of a nearby shopkeeper. She spent hours with me, keeping me company totally alone, showing me little things she'd found and playing games.

#Photography

Don't nobody know my struggles with Bombay mix.

Don't nobody know my struggles with Bombay mix.

Good telly: AdolescenceA Stephen Graham fan, I was so keen for this and it isn't disappointing two episodes in. The single continuous...

Good telly: Adolescence

A Stephen Graham fan, I was so keen for this and it isn't disappointing two episodes in. The single continuous footage approach works so well. A sadly essential and timely subject too. It's as intense as his usual affair.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81756069

Bit embarrassing; I'd been thinking the recent photos were from North West China, but they're from West China - the Sichuan...

Bit embarrassing; I'd been thinking the recent photos were from North West China, but they're from West China - the Sichuan area.

Sorry about that, brain fog had me misremembering my bearings.