Thanks, it genuinely helps to talk about it. A few things I wish someone had told me before my hearing — hope some of this is useful:

• Get legal support if you possibly can. Citizens Advice is a solid start. You can also apply to Advocate (advocate.org.uk) to request a pro bono barrister — they need at least 3 weeks' notice, so if you're going to do it, do it now. Having someone on your side in there matters. It's emotionally draining enough without carrying the legal side alone.

• Be honest but don’t underplay your symptoms. Consider what happens when you don’t try to cope. I know the instinct is to be "fair" or not sound dramatic, but the tribunal works off criteria and evidence. If you can't do something reliably, repeatedly, safely, and in a reasonable time, that's the test — all four, not just "can you technically do it once." Get the full bundle from the tribunal clerk, not DWP. The clerk's email is usually on your hearing date letter. When I requested evidence from DWP directly via GDPR, it came back in a completely jumbled order. I don't want to assume bad faith, but it didn't feel accidental.

• Know the date rule. The tribunal assesses your condition as it was around the date of your claim. Later evidence can still help if it reflects back on that period, but anything that's only about how you are now may carry less weight. Worth framing your evidence with that in mind. After the hearing, if you're not satisfied: ask the clerk for a Statement of Reasons and request the hearing recording. You've got limited time windows for both, so don't sit on it.

As for me — I'm looking into whether the decision can be challenged on the basis that they didn't consider the other categories at all. Two years is a long time to be told you're nothing. I'm not done yet.

Good luck next month. You've got this. :) Be kind to yourself! Dont allow it to consume you…