I worked as a criminal barrister for 15 years predominately working with vulnerable clients. I never would have imagined that years later I would find myself in the vulnerable position of needing help. My journey has been one of profound challenges including a breakdown caused by work stress, misdiagnosed mental health conditions and years of frustrations with trying to get the right support. If it wasn’t for the Disability Law Service and the incredible support I received from my advice worker, Jo, I don’t know how I would have coped.
Struggling to cope
Throughout my legal career, I thrived on the challenge of seeking justice for my clients. Yet behind the professional façade, I was struggling with PTSD, undiagnosed ADHD and I am awaiting a formal diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am unable to work and can feel overwhelmed at times. With PTSD your survival system goes wrong and often I feel unable to manage basic living tasks.
Since 2019, I have been unable to claim the appropriate Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) resulting in huge rent arrears and mounting debt. Despite assistance from mental health advocates and trying to access support for my daughter through Early Help and Child Services over four years, I was unable to make progress. It wasn’t always for lack of effort on their part – it was simply that my case required extraordinary patience, and understanding of my particular disabilities and an approach that was personalised to my needs.
A turning point
By the time I was referred to the Disability Law Service earlier this year, I was at rock bottom. When I first met Jo I was struck by her empathy and her ability to truly listen.
One of the features of my PTSD is the fear of being disbelieved by professional services. This manifests itself in a number of ways including an inability to complete forms, over-explaining and going into unnecessary detail, paired with extreme vocal and motor tics or even, at times, becoming involuntarily mute. Jo never judged or rushed me. She listened to me intently and was able to identify the core issues and create a clear plan of action. Her approach was personalised and unrushed – each session lasted two hours, giving me the time I needed to feel safe and heard.
Progress at last
Within just three sessions I made more progress than I had in the previous four and a half years. Jo worked with me to resolve my issues with Universal Credit and make excellent headway in dealing with Council Tax and PIP. The service she has given has gone over and above anything I have previously experienced. She took the initiative to make calls on my behalf with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and ensured that deadlines were met. She even dealt with constant emails from my landlord directly, shielding me from their constant demands and protecting my rights. These actions lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.
A brighter future
Thanks to Jo’s support my immediate financial crisis has been resolved and I feel able to look forward with greater confidence. My ultimate goal is to return to work and I am now taking steps to improve my mental health and to focus on supporting my daughter through school.
Looking back, I feel frustrated at how long it took to find the right support. If I’d had access to someone like Jo earlier, it would have saved me years of unnecessary stress, protected my daughter from unnecessary hardship and reduced the burden on the NHS and children’s services that I had to turn to in crisis. Intervention from an expert adviser like Jo who could ‘join the dots’ and provide coordinated support would have made such a difference.
It took a long time for me to acknowledge that I have a disability and needed help. The stigma of a mental health condition is a big deal – you just never think it will happen to you. I am so thankful to Jo and the Disability Law service who provided an empathetic approach and the practical support I needed to get back on track. The Disability Law Service changed my life and the future feels so much brighter for me now.
