A heart attack saved me

[kbricknell]

Another story from someone who received Legal Aid through Bolton CAB, unfortunately these type of experiences seem to be on the rise:

"After a bereavement and losing my job I had a breakdown. My credit card company would not uphold the sickness insurance I had with them and other debts soon became a problem.

Finance companies, utility companies including benefit agencies were riding roughshod over me at a very vulnerable stage of my life. Bolton CAB were able to reassure me and deal with my problems in a logical way.

Personally it was impossible to make the payments that were being demanded and it had brought me to the verge of suicide. They saved my life with their help and advice.

There was no other help that I could find, the answer I kept getting was because I had succumbed to substance abuse there was no help. The heart attack I had put me on the right road to CAB."

[nickd]

The above account is a mere snap shot of what probably happened in this case, the most poignant comment is the one made by the client ' the heart attack I had put me on the right road to CAB'.

I'd guess (perhaps you could tell us more Kbricknell?) that this was a story of empowerment - where the client, whatever his or her background, was at least helped to see the road ahead and then with the appropriate help - start his or her journey to a recovery.

The worrying aspect we have here is how many more people will fall victim to conditions such as heart attacks, often triggered by stress - my guess they'll be quite a few. Government would do well to remember what a drain such conditions are on our hard pressed NHS. Citizens Advice are saying for every £1 spent on advice like this, many more are saved. That's £££££££££'s towards deficit reduction, can't you see that you politicians?