Ask a stupid question... What do you get?

As the title says....

Those who know me will know that over the last few years I have been living with mental health problems.  These are not something that will go away instantly, they will be with me for the rest of my life.

Back in August this year I was finally persuaded that I needed to put in an application for Disability Living Allowance - not only on the grounds of my mental health issues, but also because I have been having mobility problems that have become increasingly worse over time.

Well, today I was visited by an "Approved Healthcare Professional" from Atos Healthcare, the company contracted to the Department for Work and Pensions to carry out a medical examination.  I have previously come across these "approved healthcare professionals" when I have had to have similar assessments for Employment and Support Allowance, and I have to admit that my opinion of them is somewhat jaded.  Those who know me closely will know exactly why.

During the course of the assessment I was asked the following questions, which form part of what is known clinically as the "mini mental state assessment" - which is normally used to assess for dementia and Alzheimers.  As far as I know, I have neither of these.. but do read on.

Question 1: Do you know what day it is?

Answer:  Yes, its Saturday 1st December.

Question 2:  Do you know who the Prime Minister is?

Answer: Yes, but unfortunately it isn't Margaret Thatcher any more.

(At this point I got looked at sideways and an eyebrow rather raised)

Question 3: Can you count backwards from 100 for me in sevens?

Answer: No, I have never been any good at mathematics, I'd need a calculator to do that.

(Eyebrow raised a little more)

Question 4: Can you spell world backwards?

Answer: W - O - R - L - D - B - A - C - K - W - A - R - D - S

Response: No, can you spell the word "World" starting from the end and working backwards.

My response I don't see why I'd need to and I don't have fecking Alzheimers, you know.

Then the pen started twitching over the box on the form and I could swear I saw the words "Possible Tourettes" written down...

Like I said, Ask a stupid question, what do you get?

Well.... its taken a while!

But in about ten days time I will be travelling across the water to the beautiful island of Ireland, to stay with my friends Michael and Andrew for the weekend of Belfast Pride.  Not my first time travelling to Northern Ireland - I spent a few days there several years ago for work, and about all I saw was the drive from Belfast City Airport to Londonderry/Derry and back (but out in the countryside, wow!!!).

So it will be nice to see something of the City itself (hint hint!) and even better to have the opportunity to call on a very old family friend who was one of my late Mum's Bridesmaids and who I only recollect from photos of me (as a very young baby) and then from her coming over for our celebrations for Mum and Dad's 30th Wedding Anniversary in 1994.

It's something I'm looking forward to with great anticipation - I'm going by coach from Milton Keynes, overnight, and then the ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast at sparrow's wotsit in the early morning but what's life without a challenge? A few good books and the iPod to keep me going, its all part of the fun!

Michael has already blogged about the preparations for my visit - but just so long as there's a sofa for me to put the sleeping bag on and I don't fall over the books on the stairs, don't worry about the 'Elf 'n' Safetee jobsworths... :)

On the Friday and Saturday evenings I'm really looking forward to the Faith and Pride events at St George's; Fifteen Minutes with Christ - fifteen minutes of quiet reflection, prayer and meditation during all the hustle and bustle of Pride, reassuring ourselves that being Gay and Christian (in my case Catholic) are not incompatible.