Hi,
I joined a few years ago, around 2010 I think but haven't been on for ages! Anyway, I've been reset to being a newbie and 0 posts so thought I'd better introduce myself.

I'm 37, was diagnosed at 21. I am married, with one little girl, Rebecca, 5. I don't currently work; I stopped working before I got pregnant as had to stop meds to get pregnant and went right downhill.

Anyway, things not so much better now...was on IB and now ESA but have run out of contributions based and so now just receive lower rate care DLA and child benefit. My husband works and earns just bang on the threshold tax credits-wise and so we are a bit broke at the mo. Unfortunately none of our costs of living have gone down with our iincome! lol

So, currently I'm thinking of a return to work...simply as needs must. The disability adviser at Job Centre is hopefully going to get me on some courses to give me some much needed skills...being out of work for 6 years has really blown my confidence too..have absolutely no idea what type of job to apply for. So, hopefully going to do book-keeping, counselling and a bit of evening Spanish. I'm most excited about the Spanish tbh! haha
Even my choice of courses reminds me of my a-levels French, german and chemistry..I used to tell people I intended to be a german chemist. Now, hoping to be a counsellor who can do her own books or what? I don't know but it will be interesting to see if I can even stick with the courses without a flare messing things up.

My husband worked from home for most of the last school year, then 4 weeks before the end he started a new job. Of course I have to do the morning school run,.am hoping it goes better when she goes back on Thursday because it almost killed me in July! haha

Not sure what else to say..I really came on as I had a letter from NRAS and there was a reminder at the bottom of my username and password for the forum. I used to use the forum a lot so I'm looking forward to checking in more often now I can log in! lol

Well, hope everybody's well. I look forward to meeting you all

Lizzie xx

hi Lizzie,

don't know if i knew you first time around perhaps?

anyway welcome aboard.

sounds like you have a lot to think about work wise, you haven't mentioned how you are doing RA wise?

anyway i'm currrently doing well having been on Humira two years now, but took a while to get there with funding and trying other meds.

my little girl is now 31 .. lol, long flown the nest just me and hubby at home.

do keep posting and let us know you're old user name.

Suzanne

Hello there, from another Lizzie!
Hope your courses go well and you can re-gain some confidence. How are the school mornings going? xx