Carole has worked as cleaner and playground supervisor at a primary school for the past 18 years. After surgery for breast cancer, and rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she was too frail to continue her work. She has been waiting more than nine months to know whether she qualifies for Personal Independence Payment, to help with the extra costs arising from her illness, and has been struggling financially. Her 22-year old son has had to move in to help with her care and with the bills. She says, “I have worked without a break since I’ve left school at the age of 16. I feel I have been abandoned and left with nowhere to turn. It has been a real struggle.”