I’m JM, a 58-year-old from Scotland, and I’m stuck in a difficult situation. I’ve been living with psoriatic arthritis, a condition that causes constant pain and stiffness in my joints, making it impossible to continue working. I used to be active—working with my hands, enjoying golf, and hiking—but now, I can barely move without pain.
The worst part? I’m too young to retire and take my pension, but I’m physically unable to work. The disability benefits I’m eligible for don’t cover much, and the process to get support is long and complicated. I’ve paid into the system all my life, but now that I need help, I’m caught in this gap between work and retirement.
It’s frustrating and demoralizing. I can’t do the job I once loved, but I’m not getting the support I need to get by. I want people to understand that living with a chronic illness isn’t just about the pain—it’s about losing your sense of purpose. We need better support for people like me, who are too ill to work but too young to retire.
Submitted on 17 April 2024, by a 58-year-old male living in Scotland.