Hi there. Am new to this forum but was diagnosed 13 years ago. At the time I was working full time then got made redundant and with confidence at a real low stayed out of work while my husband supported us. Last year he was diagnosed with cancer and yes along with scaring the hell out of us it was a massive wake up call. I have tried to get back into employment (i know he might not be there for ever) and I am struggling to find work. As for benefits - I never claimed way back when so last year when things went wrong for us we tried to sort this out only to find that I was not eligible because I'd let my national insurance contributions slip (you need at least two recent years of NI to claim) so despite working for 15 years I got nothing because it wasn't recent. This year I have lost count of the number of jobs I have applied for and it seems the world of employment has changed - occupational health is now a very real issue. I've had jobs 'withdrawn' prior to interview and just not been selected. On the one occasion I got an interview they told me they would try not to let my illness affect their decision - I didn't get the job.

To anyone out there considering giving up work I would advise hang on as much as you can - part time - anything. Just don't let them slide you out the door. Once you are out of employment - at least in my case - it's damn hard getting back in to it.

The behaviour I experienced on the one interview I did get was just plain strange. Everyone seems scared of getting it wrong and skirt around you like you're an alien. Seems you are just too much hassle. Found a doc on internet called "Equalities Review 2007" which had some pretty scary statistics - over 30% of employers would exclude people with a long term illness (CIPD).

Sorry to bang on about this but try as I might I am feeling that the deck is stacked against me.