ACC Articles Voice Concerns Of Us Labelled Stock

Thursday, 10 July 2003, 3:50 pm
Opinion: Scoop Reader Opinion

Dear Sir/Madam

Your articles on ACC are most thought provoking and certainly voice the concerns/fears of those of us who are labelled "stock"

In my instance I have been fighting "the boys/girls" for the last 7 years following conclusive evidence that I have Cauda Equina Syndrome( loss of sensation in lower half of body resulting in a lot of pain, no bladder or bowel control) following a severe motor accident. I am about to "voluntary" finish my employment as I am prone to falls etc from the original injury. This will be the second job lost because I am unable to be consistantly at work without time off. The work ethics etc are not questioned.

ACC are now going to put me through vocational assessment again. I could write the "bloody" report for them as there is no question about my brain power or related skills from that. There is however a massive gap between my mental capacity and my physical well being. One would think given that I have tried so hard to be employed and try to be independent that they would finally accept that I am no longer employable. My greatest beef is that they didn't know me before my accident and its a damn pity that they don't even care. It's not my fault that the injury didn't occur within the period that "lump sums" were available as I could then have some quality of time for me. Leaving home at 7.15am and returning home at 6.00pm creates stress not only for me but my husband, who has been the greatest guy throughout all this. What I and many others go through is as serious and in some cases more serious than some of the sexual abuse claims that are being given great hand outs.

By the way ACC are at it again. Yes letters went out to some 20,000 people giving them the chance to capitalise their independence allowance for the next 5 years. But wait boys - here's the catch- despite conclusive medical evidence your entitlement will be reduced given factors such as your age, sex and condition which they are calling for old reports for to make their offer. I was one who replied that I would be interested as I would use the money to alter an access way to my home to make it safer for me, no holidays or luxuries. ACC stated the offers would be out by return mail and the 1st payments made by 30 June 2003. You've guessed right- nothing has happened. The witch hunt is on and the bonuses to the staff will be coming again - particularly if people settle for a lower amount. Again ACC can do what they like when they like. Imagine if claimaints didn't have forms etc completed by the dates ACC set.

Your articles at least make me realise that there are people out there batting for us.

Thank you

Sharron Hampton

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