Council Cretins Part Three (groan!)

"It's not true that life is one damn thing after another; it's one damn thing over and over", said the American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay and how true is this quote when applied to my debacle with Oldham Council. Remember, this whole sorry saga has been going on for the past 18 months and the straw that finally broke the camel's back occurred when the Financial Team wanted £3,102,64 from my account, under the proviso that the money was, "underspent".

Despite me repeating, again and again and again that this money had been set aside for when my Mum goes in to have her operation, they've gone and debited it from my account. Despite emails back and forth to various Councillors, an MP and various bodies within Oldham Council they've reclaimed the money. In other words, Oldham Council do exactly as they please regardless of rational, logical thinking an attempting to broker an agreement.

I received a visit from one head honcho on Tuesday about this matter and despite needing a 'professional jargon busting' translator to hand, I had thought we'd reached an understanding that no money would be reclaimed. Sadly not it would seem. Both me and my Mum were of the belief that the money would remain in the account and the Support Plan would be created to meet future needs.

Either I'm lacking some kind of Babelfish device or we're talking in different languages altogether. How hard is it to comprehend that there's zero point in reclaiming money when you'll only have to pay it back, (maybe more) in the near future? Or is it me who's barking mad here???

I think through the fog of white-collar rhetoric I see clearly what Oldham Council are collectively up to. They've taken the money back so that there's no danger of it building up again in the account. So if I had over £3,000 already and they give me the required £1,000 for 35 hours care a week then it'll be more for me to spend. If they only give what is designated in the Support Plan, which is over £1,000 a month for 35 hours care in an account that's had over £3,000 'reclaimed', then they're saving money. That's what it comes down to...SAVING MONEY!

As for the Support Plan, well that's like a Bill of Rights. At no point can you spend money outside of this agreement for fearing the wrath of Oldham Council. Although the framework to these rules is so rigid it basically must involve 99.9% personal care support, otherwise you'll get nothing. In other words, In Control exists no more. It should be re-worded as 'Personal Care Support' because that's what it is. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing for the disabled person to enjoy from it apart from someone to wipe their arse.

I'll be honest, I've waved the white flag! I'm well and truly beat on this one. Even one of the Councillors has emailed me to say this is a very complex and confusing saga, (ain't that the truth!) and I guess there's no easy solution, unless the disabled community rise up in revolution - and I can't see that happening anytime soon.

My suggestion to disabled people who are debating whether or not to have an Individualised Budget or not is, don't bleeding bother. The road is beset with perilous pitfalls that would confound a Cambridge Don. It's just not worth the stress whatsoever! Get as many members of your friends and family to help you out as much as possible. If not then be prepared for one hell of a turbulent ride!