What counts as disability?

wattdallas

sh1305 wrote: »

I was? You're forgetting that I'm partially sighted and have a chronic pain disorder.

Oh and dont forget you claim to have Autism too .

Indie_Kid

wattdallas wrote: »

Oh and dont forget you claim to have Autism too .

No. Other people think I do. Oh and get it right - I don't have diarrhoea - I have IBS which does cause chronic diarrhoea.

bertiebat

mary-op wrote: »

I'm a bit confused at the minute about OH;s health and whether he can or will in the future be entitled to any form of dla.
Just over a year ago he had tests for suspected lung cancer -thankfully biopsies were clear, but there is still a shadow on his lung (consultant thinks it could be scarring from previous chest infection. He is still under this consultant -next appt. early January.
Then,just a few weeks ago he slipped on the ice and fractured his pelvis. He currently struggles to get about but with the aid of a stick and painkillers he's keeping as mobile as he can. Friday last, his leg swelled up, top to bottom, quick taxi trip to the GP and deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed (waiting for appt. from hospital for scan to confirm this) and he is now giving himself injections for this. From what the district nurse has told us he will then be put on warfarin for the rest of his life.
Hospital have told him he'll be left with a limp when his fracture is repaired.
He's concerned as to whether he'll be able to work again -his old job was a 'joiner' which he gave up due to the chest problems.
I'm also having problems finding out whether he'll be able to get free prescriptions .........it's working out expensive at the minute at £7 a time for painkillers and stuff for injections.
I get dla myself, the low rate, for epilepsy.........also have back problems which I'm told is wear and tear on my lower discs and nothing can be done for it, plus tinnitus.........very worrying on a bad day.
So between us we're a bit of a mess at the minute.
Is it worth him applying for dla or may it just be a waste of his time. At the minute anything would help.
Thankyou..............apologies for long post

Sorry to hear of your OH's health problems. As sh1305 has said DLA requires needs that have lasted 3 months or more and likely to last for a further 6 months. Given what you say, it might be a bit premature to be thinking of DLA as hopefully your OH's mobility will improve beyond the need for DLA within this time frame. Have you looked into applying for ESA instead?

I suffered a pulmonary embolism after being immobilised by a bad leg and osteomyalitis, so was on warfarin supposedly for life (now on aspirin instead) and this in itself fortunately doesn't cause any care needs.

On the prescriptions front, have you looked into a prepayment prescription certificate? This saved me a fortune until I qualified under the medical exemption rules, when they included cancer.

Taken from this site: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx
The charge for a single prescription item is £7.20, whereas a three month PPC will cost you £28.25 and a 12 month PPC £104.00.

stefano

mary-op wrote: »

It was 2 weeks before Christmas that he fractured his pelvis and he's needed a certain amount of help with getting dressed in the morning that I've managed to do -bit of a struggle but we get there.
He tries to keep as mobile as possible but can't walk any distance apart from up and down our living room. To go to the GP's (normally a 10 min.walk) he needs transport plus he will for hospital appts. but thats been arranged through the hospital.
How long his mobility problems will go on for I don't know but it was the cost of his medication for the deep vein thrombosis I felt concerned about as I couldn't find anything connected to it on the list of 'illnesses' for exemption charges.

Or you can apply for a Pre-Payment Certificate.

KxMx

The 12 month PPC you can pay for via Direct Debit, £10.40 over 10 months.

The illness exemption charges are very narrow and antiquated!

mary-op

Thanks all for your help.
I didn't think OH would qualify for dla but wasn't sure how else he'd get help with prescriptions and transport costs for the length of time he'd need them.
Its very much on the cards that he'll need medication for the rest of his life and costs can mount up.
I'll look into this ESA - to be honest it's all very confusing.
Once again many thanks:)

Indie_Kid

mary-op wrote: »

Thanks all for your help.
I didn't think OH would qualify for dla but wasn't sure how else he'd get help with prescriptions and transport costs for the length of time he'd need them.
Its very much on the cards that he'll need medication for the rest of his life and costs can mount up.
I'll look into this ESA - to be honest it's all very confusing.
Once again many thanks:)

As has already been suggested, a PPC is probably your only option. You could ask the chemist if it's cheaper to buy otc instead of prescription.

mary-op

Thanks. Looks like ppc is the only option for OH. Can't get what he needs over the counter as its injections for deep vein thrombosis and the painkillers are prescription only. I did check with our gp about them.
Even ppc -though it saves a bit -can still work out a fair bit. Still, no choice it seems.

freesp1r1t

Don't know how old your OH is Mary but if it's any help presiciption charges cease when you reach the age of 60!

mary-op

He's got another 3 years to go till then. Thanks:)