WEDNESDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2011

It was quite an eventful day today, with lots going on both work wise and with regard to the meeting tomorrow.  We put the final touches to the schedule as they were leaving the office today for the Countryfile Christmas show.   This was a little different as the JCI & Location parts of the programme are from the same area instead of being separate, so it was good that all the presenters will film together on Friday, which will bring the show to a close.

At lunchtime I headed into the German market with Hilary, which was really nice.  It was my first visit to the market this year so we grabbed some food and had a look round, it was packed as the schools were closed today due to the public sector strike.  The strike was about changes to workers pensions from a final salary to a career average pension.  It involved Council workers, teachers & NHS staff for example.

On my way back to the office I received a phone call back from Ron at Warwickshire Social Services.  He was phoning me to let me know my complaint about the result of my financial assessment had been upheld and he was going to get me re-assessed without my house being included.  This left me speechless and a little overwhelmed.  I didn’t think for one moment he was going to break that news and seemingly he had made and carried out the decision himself.  This left my options for the meeting tomorrow back open again so it was back to the drawing board about how we were going to approach things.

Matt & Layla came round for tea this evening so it was a good chance to talk things through with everyone.  We decided to still approach the meeting tomorrow requesting a fully funded CHC package but to keep the re-assessment and have that as a backup plan if required as this also may be beneficial if I require adaptations to property for example in the future.

TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2011

Today was about organising the logistics for the Countryfile Christmas episode, which will be broadcast on 18^th December, this is being filmed in Warwickshire.  There seems to be a lot of people heading out on this shoot, so it is quite complicated logistically but it helps that it is local.  So make sure you tune in to see the final outcome, everyone is looking forward to it as it is a little different to a normal Countryfile shoot.

I tried chasing Ron up today, but still no joy.  I explained to his secretary about the fact I have this meeting coming up on Thursday & it would be great if I could speak to him before this.  She assured me that he would contact me tomorrow and advised me he would definitely be free after 4pm.  So we will try again then if I don’t hear from him. 

When I got home this evening Mum & I went over to the Coleshill Town Hall where there was a market, which was organised by the Coleshill shopkeepers.  When we arrived it was packed so after buying a couple of jars of chilli jam I left mum to it.  Once mum arrived home we had some tea and then I settled in bed watching some Carling Cup football

MONDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2011

So today I started getting my head round the meeting on Thursday, this is going to be very important and we need to be clear about what outcome we want.  It is difficult because at present I only really have one option and that is to push for a fully funded CHC package, due to me failing my financial assessment with Warwickshire Social Services.

As much as I know going down this route is in my best interests at the moment I find it quite hard as it doesn’t sit comfortable with me that Warwickshire Social Services.seem to be passing the buck a little.  But after seeing Dr Chesna last week, it is clear that a large proportion of my care needs are medical.  I tried to phone Ron at Warwickshire Social Services just to get an understanding of what happens with my complaint against my financial assessment, before the meeting on Thursday, just so I can way up the options, but he was in meetings all day.

In the evening I settled in to watch Tottenham Vs Aston Villa whilst Mum and Dad went round to Penny’s to watch Strike Back. It was a good time for me to go through things and to read the letter I have received through the post from Dr Chesna, it was great of him to do this and send it so quickly.

SUNDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2011

It was a day when people were tired, mum was working but after her trip yesterday was shattered and Dad & I just had a day at home.  The client who Mum works with on a Sunday, it was her 13^th Birthday so we bought her a cake & made sure we celebrated.

Mum hadn’t slept well last night, I think with Christmas & everything going on around my care package, things are getting on top of her a bit.  So she was feeling a bit low this afternoon but felt better as the day went on, every so often Mum gets a bit low, it is difficult for her not to worry about things but it is up to Dad & I to talk to her about things when she is feeling like this.

 

In the evening we settled down to the left over’s of Dads curry from last night and they watched the results show of Strictly Come Dancing and xfactor.  whilst I had an early night ready for the week ahead.

SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2011

Mum & Layla were off on a shopping spree today to Bath, they were both really looking forward to it so they set off early with plastic in their wallets.  Dad & I went off to Touchwood for a look around, which involved me making the most of 25% off kids clothes at Marks & Spencers this weekend, so I purchased 2 items for £9. 

It was good to meet up with Jeremy & Helen who we bumped into so we joined them for a coffee & Costa & then we went to Sainsbury to do some food shopping.  Dad was going to make a curry for Mum & Layla’s return home from Bath.  So once we had completed buying the food it was a quick return home in time for an afternoon of Football.

Once I got home before settling in front of the box & wireless I popped over to Spencers (The local butchers) to organise the sausage for the brittle bone quiz which is being held on 10^th December.  This is an annual quiz which was organised by Dad & a couple of family friends for many years but has now been organised by Matt & friends over the last couple of Christmas's. 

FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2011

It was a very productive day working from home, logging music, sending a card to Amy & Nathan as they came home yesterday evening & sorting out the Consent to Lease on my house in Atherstone.  These were all jobs on my to do list which is building day by day, so it was good to be able to tick a couple of things off.

Mum went to her art class this afternoon with a friend Jane, they enjoyed it but I don’t think it was something they would want to go to every week.  They have agreed to go for one more week and then give it up as it is a little to fussy for their tastes.

We had an email from BECTU to say following discussion with the BBC & joint unions today the ballot for strike action has been called off.  The BBC has agreed to extend the deadline for implementation of change in working conditions as outlined in DQF to the end of 2012.

I spoke to Ron at Warwickshire Social Services about a letter I received through the post today regarding the complaint I made over the phone back in August.  This was to do with my experience with Warwickshire Social Services during my care package process over the last 18 months.  It concluded in the letter about the fact I owned a property and this therefore meant I had failed the financial assessment, as you can imagine I had a few queries with this, so I raised them with Ron, he was going to speak to his manager and get back to me, he seemed to understand the points I was making, which was positive.  But it is all so black & white because of policy instead of each assessment being looked at on a case by case basis.

WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2011

After quite a frantic day yesterday it was a quiet day at work just chasing up overdue invoices from cameraman and generally getting on top of stuff which I hadn’t had chance to do yesterday.

After work I was staying over at Matt & Layla’s for the night, Matt picked us up from work and we headed back to Hockley.  Layla was staying on at work as she was preparing for an internal audit which is being carried out tomorrow, so it was up to Matt to get the tea on.

Steak with roast potatoes was on the menu with peppercorn source, it went down well in front of the box was Chelsea Vs Leverkusen in the Champions league.  Matt went to pick Layla up at half time in the football, it was a good evening with the two of them as always even if they were slightly delayed due to Layla having a few problems with the security shutters at her work J.

TUESDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2011

It was an early start this morning as Sarah (The family GP but also a good friend) was coming to do Dads weekly blood test to measure his warfarin levels before heading off for my 6 monthly appointment at Heartlands Hospital with Dr Chesna (Gastroenterologist).

After Dad’s Cardioversion treatment he is still having to have regular blood tests to check his warfarin levels. But it is good to see him much better in himself in the last week after getting the treatment out of the way and knowing it has been successful.

The appointment at Heartlands Hospital was pretty straight forward, it was worthwhile though as Dr Chesna agreed to compose a letter about my Crohn's to assist me with my application for care.  He mentioned that he would also include information about my respiratory condition.  This was probably going to be the last time I would see Dr Chesna as he is retiring early in the new year, so we wished him well.

The highlight of the day though was definately the birth of Amy & Nathan’s little baby girl, who arrived today by C-Section, Elsie Kathleen weighing in at 6lbs 1oz and I received confirmation from Nathan that both mum and baby are doing well, it will be great to see them once they are settled in at home.  They have been really good friends since senior school and I was also fortunate enough to be best man at their wedding, so it was great news and I am so pleased for them both.

I sent off the letter I was drafting yesterday to CHC today, so we will wait and see what comes of this.  We wanted to get this process up & running before the meeting with CHC and Warwickshire Social Services on the 1st December, it is good to know that we have things in motion with both sides so decisions will start needing to be made about what path we want to pursue.

After quite a tiring day it was good to get home and relax in front of the Champions league football on the television.  It was Napoli Vs Manchester City, it was a very entertaining game in which Napoli ended up winning to make it pretty difficult for City to quality from their group.

MONDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2011

So it has been a week since I started this blog and it has helped a lot, the reason for me starting it was to try and help my sleep patter as there is so much going on it was beginning to give me sleepless nights.  I thought by writing it down this would help me organise things a little better.

Today I drafted a letter to CHC as was advised by Fiona on the phone to Layla, this it to complain about the length of time it has taken for the package to have been agreed from my application first being made.  I also received the Decision Support Tool, which we had requested off Fiona to find out how CHC have come to the conclusion of joint funding and if I am re-assessed it will help with information on how my circumstances have changed. 

It was the start of another week at work and more meetings with Series Producers & Production Managers from Bristol.  I have decided to hold back from having any more meetings with things still being up in the air about whether it would be possible for me to move.  It is difficult to know what to do for the best, but hopefully we are in the process of organising a meeting with CHC & Warwickshire Social Services for the 1st December after this it will give me a better indication as to what the future holds.

SUNDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2011

Today was a typically relaxed Sunday catching up on my Sky planner including Masterchef The Professionals & Match of the Day.  We were all up pretty early though as Dad was playing golf & mum was working, once dressed I did go back to bed, it was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning.

Mum does some casual work as a Support Worker for Pulse Community Healthcare.  This includes the occasional 5 hour shift on a Sunday working with one client and then she has a regular client that she supports during the week.  Mum has been doing this since retiring and really enjoys the interaction she has with her clients and still uses her teaching experience.

SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2011

A long awaited lie in was had this morning & then a much needed haircut.  Alison who is my Support Worker on a week day also is a mobile hairdresser so she came round and made me look tidy again.  I receive funding for my support worker through Access to Work, so Alison takes me to & from work and then comes at lunchtime to toilet me.  I have had this throughout my working life and has been extremely helpful.

I spent the afternoon tuned into the football including Everton who had a 6 pointer today against Wolves, so I tuned into EvertonTV It was a nervy win for Everton with a late penalty.  I was then off to see Red Hot Chili Peppers at the LG Arena, Mum & Dad went off prior to me leaving as they were going off to the Dogs at Hall Green. 

The Red Hot Chili Peppers were brilliant, 4 of us went Gemma, Stewart, Tony & I.   Tony & Gemma worked with me at the NEC, it is always good catching up with the 3 of them.  We all went from ours in my car which worked out really well, not the best at describing how to clamp my chair in but Stu seemed to work it out pretty easily, which was a relief.

FRIDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2011

So the day had arrived for Dad to have his Cardioversion treatment, mum picked me up from Matt & Layla’s in the morning & dropped Dad off as Matt was going to drop Dad off at the hospital.  Dad didn’t have to be in until 2pm and was going to be out on the same day.

So Matt & Layla came over and joined Mum & I for something to eat tonight before they went to pick him up about 9pm.  All went well and Dad’s heart flutter seems to have gone straight away, so that is really positive.  Dad will still have to carry on with his existing medication but with this treatment being successful hopefully this will give Dad added stamina but with him still being cautious.

I had a day of working from home logging music for copyright purposes, which I have to do as part of my job, it is quite difficult to do in the office as it involves watching the episodes of Countryfile without getting disturbed, hence why I do it from home.  Some of the Countryfile team were at Children in Need this evening, I had a chance to go as well as I had worked on the Countryfile Photographic Competition this year but unfortunately couldn’t make it.  John Craven presented a cheque on behalf of the program for the proceeds we donate from the Countryfile Calendar.

THURSDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2011

After work today I jumped in a cab and went to stay over at Matt & Layla’s, which I was really looking forward to.  After quite a busy week it was great to spend the evening catching up with them both.  Good homemade Coleslaw with jerk chicken & chips capped the evening off nicely.

Mum went to see The Nutcracker at the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield with a family friend Angie.  Mum had a great time, as it was something different to what she normally goes to see and has enjoyed the venue previously.  Dad met up with Angie’s husband Clive and another couple of friends Lester & Colin, they caught up at a pub in central Lichfield.

There were also developments with my care package as Layla had been speaking to Fiona from CHC today.  Fiona was very much indicating that she thought we should make a complaint about the length of the process and the fact that in my assessment it stated that I was entitled to CHC funding 5 months ago but this has still yet to be converted into hours.  Fiona supplied Layla with the contact address and details of how to make the complaint so we will compile this letter over the coming days.

WEDNESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2011

The Save BBC Birmingham protest was the main item on the agenda at work today, which was held in Victoria Square.  It was very positive in terms of numbers and we received 445 signatures on the petition.  So it is all gathering pace in time for the visit of the Director General Mark Thompson on 25^th November.

Mum & Dad spent the day in London with Hilary (Auntie) & John (Uncle), they went to see Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre & had lunch in All Bar One.  We had bought the tickets for Hil’s birthday which was back in August, it sounded like it was worth the wait.  Dad also is starting to think about the Cardioversion treatment which he is going in for on Friday, he received his blood results back yesterday so it is all systems go. 

I sent a letter off to Warwickshire Social Services  as well today which is a formal complaint about the financial assessment result.  The complaint I have in at the moment is just about the process & the  support I have been provided thus far.  The  advice which Layla was given when ringing round on Monday was we would have to submit a letter of complaint about the outcome in order for the situation to change.

TUESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2011

Today was focusing on a meeting I had with Hayley Hadfield the re-location manager for the move from Birmingham to Bristol and Keith Hickling who is covering all HR issues for the move.  This was a really positive meeting and it was interesting to find out about the support I would receive to try and make the move possible but also during the move itself.

I then introduced mum and dad to the two of them at a drop in session after work, which was with a local area expert for Bristol and a estate agent.  Hayley relayed the information she had gone through with me earlier, it then gave my parents the opportunity to ask questions, so it was a very beneficial all round.

After quite a heavy day, taking a lot of information on board, it was nice to come home and watch

England Vs Sweden.  It was great to see good Everton representation with Jack Rodwell making his debut and Leighton Baines lining up for the national team.

MONDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2011

Its been a really positive day today thanks to the help of Layla who has been doing some ringing round for me to try and move my care package application forward.   Fiona Rickards CHC Team Leader had asked for this meeting to discuss the joint package they have agreed to so far and to find out how the other half is going to be funded.  At present due to me failing the Social Services financial assessment I am 'full cost' which means funding this myself.

I have currently got a complaint in with Warwickshire Social Services about the outcome of my financial assessment which Layla has also chased up for me. They have intimated to Layla that I should receive correspondence on this by the end of this week, so we will wait and see.

At lunchtime as a member of BECTU I attended a joint union meeting about the general DQF proposals and the Save BBC Birmingham campaign.  At the moment the unions believe the two issues are separate, they are currently balloting member for strike action on the general DQF proposals.  They were saying yesterday they will ballot Birmingham Factual Television & Radio staff separately about the Save BBC Birmingham campaign.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to my blog, my name is Thomas Bowell and I am a 30 year old currently living in the family home with my father Brian and mother Sheila.  I work full time as a Production Management Assistant for the BBC in Birmingham.  I was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bones) and was diagnosed with having Crohn's within the last couple of years.  My hobbies include following all sport but particularly Everton Football Club and Warwickshire County Cricket Club.  I also enjoy good food and meeting up with family & friends.

The reason for me starting this blog is to capture highs and lows of the next 12 months as I feel this is going to be an important period both on a personal and professional basis.  I am currently applying for a care package through Warwickshire Social Services and CHC in order to assist mum and dad with my care with the ultimate intention to eventually live independently, but in the current climate these services like many others are dealing with very tight budgets and as such it has been a very long drawn out process. 

Also my job working on Countryfile is moving to Bristol within the year as part of the BBC’s DQF proposals.  So I’ll be looking at whether it wifsll be possible to re-locate, as I would like to do or whether it is just not going to be logistally possible.  This will ultimately depend on the outcome of what care package is ultimately agreed.  Then early in 2012 I am due to be an uncle as Matthew (brother) and Layla (Sister-In-Law) are expecting their first child, so that will be very exciting for the whole family. 

So I hope to update you on all developments hopefully on a daily basis.  The aim of writing this blog is to interest, amuse, entertain and inform its visitors, happy reading.  A last note the
views expressed in this blog are my own and no one else's.