Teacheranne that’s good news. Hope the visit goes well. The same happened to my mum, it was a shock but at least we could visit. Hope your mum is settling in.
Last letters become first - March 26
June '25 Limerick (July '21 & July'23 continued)
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In the past few weeks we've been dealing with a number of difficult situations in the family; some very sad and others distressing and frustrating. At the same time, while I usually enjoy my job, just lately I've been finding it difficult, stressful and tiring. I was feeling very dispirited, but I've just had some amazing breakthroughs so I thought I'd share some good news.
I recently represented a client at a PIP Tribunal, via a rather tricky conference call. At assessment he was awarded only 2 points, but the Tribunal set aside that finding and we were awarded 27 points! This is going to be life changing for the young man and he can finally get the help he needs. Yippee!
For more than a year I've been trying to engage with a potential client to help him get off the streets and yesterday he called me and asked for help! Yippee!
Also yesterday I was able, for the first time ever, to start a Universal Credit claim on behalf of a client. I have tried to do this many times before with no success, but this time the absolute star of a human being on the UC helpline (thanks Mick) actually understood that a functionally illiterate homeless man in his sixties with no understanding of, or access to, a computer cannot apply without some help. Today I was contacted by the UC service centre and the claim is going ahead with only a brief phone call with my client. Yippee!
Each of the above situations felt like winning the Lottery - and for all three to happen more or less at once was such a blessing to me. 
Does anyone else have good news they'd like to share?
Aw Teacheranne I can understand how excited you must be simply to be near to your mum again and able to have a chat. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Thank you to everybody who has commented and shared my excitement. I've just got so used to battling bureaucracy that it's been a joy to deal with people who 'get it' and are prepared to work outside the usual system for the benefit of people who are already on the margins.
One of the saddest things to come out of this time is the number of people who, for the first time in their lives, are facing losing their homes. Some people have believed that this could never happen to them and in the past have thought the benefit system is over-generous. Now their own experience is turning their world-view upside down and I anticipate a rise in cases of PTSD in the months to come as people's resilience is sorely tested. 
Just seen this thread:
For you GA - 
and WELL DONE!!
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