I am in the middle of PIP, tribunal next week, slightly terrified, interesting news though, trying to keep a cool head, as I know strong emotion will only exhaust me and start a downward spiral of anger, exhaustion and confusion which will hinder my search for justice.
I think the good news is that the DWP are saying ME CFS can deserve enhanced mobility and is not excluded, nor should it be.
I think that their statement as follows was not unreasonable...
"As explained above, Chronic Fatigue Symptom (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), has complex causes which are still not well understood, but which may involve both physical and psychological factors."
...from which I take it ME CFS was included because they are talking about the kind of disability it induces rather than its causes and I think its true that ME CFS does have a devastating impact on the mind due to its neurological affects. What they are saying is ME CFS has mental and physical affects and you can score points for both. I dont think they are making a statement about aetiology.
What is rather confusing about that is they preface the discussion by saying...
https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt201617/jtselect/jtstatin/152/15216.htm#_idTextAnchor061
"amendments made by regulation 2(4) do not have the effect that a person with a mental condition (unaccompanied by a physical condition) can never be entitled to the mobility component"
They do seem to have included ME CFS as an example of a mixed case though and the attitude does seem to respect it is real and we don't understand it and it was considered as a separate and different case to psychosomatic illness.
I think the really bad news about current assessment is that Capita have not been applying the reliability criteria...
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/765242/PIP-Atos-disability-activists-assessors-fail-test-claim
... which are essential to a fair assessment in ME. I can testify to the reality of this.
Also the DWP are through Capita encouraging HPs to make complex decisions on complex conditions in relation to complex descriptors while pressurising and incentivising them to do it quicker. The HP who assessed me really didnt seem to have time to do a proper job of understanding my answers.
However I believe HMCTS will only be encouraged to give me and others a fairer hearing by this statement. So I dont see it as unfortunate. I do think we should be getting fair hearings in the first instance though and I think the evidence is that we are not.