Cracking, Punky, Faerie, Blackwhitered, Erti

Oh I know the stress of a disability review only too well, so I feel your pain Cyber When I first went on ESA it was every 6 months, but now it's yearly, which is better. Though my next review isn't until September, which is ages away, I'm still stressing cos they're surveilling me already, looking for an excuse to terminate my benefits and lock me in jail for fraud. This is scary **** and I'd much rather have a job and have the Govt leave me alone - I'd work if I could! I hope it goes smoothly for you Cyber

Mum was asking me today if I missed her while she was in hospital. I stalled for time, struggling to think what to say that wasn't a lie but didn't hurt her feelings, so said that I visited her in hospital so it's not like I didn't see her the whole time. Then she pouted and said that I could say no if I wanted. I didn't say anything, so she told my Dad (who'd just arrived) that I hadn't missed her. Then I said that no I hadn't missed her because, whenever I saw her in hospital, she was mean to me, which was true but I probably shouldn't have said that. So her & Dad look confused and both said they didn't recall her ever being mean, and asked for examples. So I told them what she had said about us being in competition over who was sickest and about her 'winning', and Mum passed it off as a joke, but I said that jokes are supposed to be funny.

I don't care if she was ill or if she says that she meant it as a joke. I know full well that she means it, and my Dad thinks it too, based on comments made when angry, supposed 'jokes', and sarcastic comments. My Mum's struggles are considered more legitimate than mine in every respect because they're physical and I should just "pull my finger out" and get on with life. And it's very upsetting to be dismissed by my own family

*Willow*