I'm writing from the United States where I'm woefully ignorant about John Howard and DSP.

What I do know about is chronic fatigue, the desire to work, the effort to work, self-employment, and worry about family relationships.

This letter describes them all better than I have heretofore seen them described. Every point about disability is well taken.

Thank you, Ken Davis!

Reading Ken Davis"article registers alarm. What is happening in our disability services area? Who is John Howard listening to? Surely if he listened to more people like Ken Davis there would be a little more compassion and common sense brought to bear. Of course most people want to work - we all need to feel a necessary part of the community - to feel our abilities are appreciated - to our disabilities exposed. Listen to this man John for goodness sake.

Grannyrobin - thank you for your post - always good to hear from people from overseas - especially USA.

Culture vulture - based on performance, what makes you think Howard will suddenly start listening now?

I have had the misfortune to be reliant on Sickness Benefits for periods of time and I know how the system can suck the life out of you. I am back at work now and feel so much better that the past feels as surreal as a nightmare. It is one thing to encourage people back into the workforce but without positive supports such as incentives for employers it will not work. Not only is the divide between rich and poor increasing but the Howard administration is creating a new sub-class of people.

Ken Davis a beautifully articulated article. Unfortunately the only people who will listen are the ones listening now.

Maybe we could try another OLO poll? Graham are you listening?

Thank you Ken. Gutsy.

Like yourself, I am a health professional. I'd had 33 years of nursing experience when I had a nursing accident at work. I was working in Aged Persons' Mental Health October 2005. I tried to stop an elderly gentleman from falling and hitting his head on a tiled floor (the hospital hierarchy told me that I should have let him fall!).

I sustained an extremely painful knee injury. I underwent surgery which was unsuccessful - followed by intensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy(I now wear a permanent leg brace). My "Rehab" program had me on crutches in a shower with severely disabled people - how's that for duty of care and risk management? I was put out to pasture with a permanent disability. Workcover paid me less than $6,000 for my career (on the grounds that I had a pre-existing condition as a result of a previous knee injury also sustained whilst nursing in NSW).

Since June 2003 I have used all of my savings to support myself (since my husband's wage was minimal). In the interim I have been applying for non nursing jobs - to no avail - even though I have three academic qualifications.

Recently I put my pride in my pocket and went to Centrelink for assistance. I will never forget the humiliation. I have recieved my first Disability payment. Centrelink did not offer me anything. I asked for a referral to Commonwealth Rehab Services.

I want to work. I have heaps of knowledge, experience and dedication. My expertise is mental health/illness. What a weird scenario Mr Howard. I have the skills that you need people to have. I would be invaluable as an assessor for mental health services. QHealth didn't even offer me a position outside of nursing (I realise the difference between State and Commonwealth issues).

Thank you again for this article. You have given me a new lease on life - for up until now my self esteem has been zilch. I have lost my identity. I have lost my love - nursing people with mental health problems.

grannyrobin

Welcome to this posting. Are you an Aussie in the US? Or are you here because of surfing the net re chronic fatigue syndrome?

Whatever the case, I wish you well.
Cheers Kay

kalweb:

I came to the forum because of subscribing to Google Alerts regarding chronic fatigue syndrome.

-grannyrobin