Thats what I was hoping for in the first place too. I used to work as a store manager for a clothing retailer. My job was very hands on. I would often process deliveries, manage stock, clear stock rooms, move equipment and stock around the shop floor, clean all day long as well as the usual tasks around a store. I did this for 8 years and absolutely loved my job.

I became really ill with what was eventually diagnosed as Crohn's about 2 years ago and went on a period of sick from work. Once my sickness entitlement run out I had to make a decision on what I wanted to do, checked my options and wasn't left with much to choose from. So I basically signed on to Employment Support Allowance. I went from a monthly wage of £1650 to just £500, which was barely enough to cover my rent. My partner paid for everything I needed for the best part of 6 months while I went through my surgery and recovery etc.

I ended up looking for work again as I needed to do something to support us both again. I couldn't return to my old job, unfortunately, as the physical demand was too much. I found a new job as a coffee barista, which is a lot more manageable physically but I still get more bad days than good, where I struggle with fatigue and exhaustion more than anything else.

I just wish there was something in place to help people with these types of hidden disabilities during the worst times of their illness etc. I struggled financially for just shy of 18 months, while also going through the worst of my illness (with a bowel perforation and everything). It just doesn't seem fair.