What counts as disability?

Indie_Kid

He could ask for a HC1 form and see if he's entitled to free prescriptions that way. (low income)

harris1234_2

i have met many disabled persons in my life, but many of them have many other qualities which we normal persons dont have. specially disabled persons are most hardworking then us. Hats of for such good people. thery are not disabled coz they have many other abilities which we dont have.

HooCanTellMee

Hi to all,
I also wonder what qualifies as disabled, and if I do! I was born with hip problems, had plaster casts as baby, operations in my mid teens, when I was told my hip joints would probably need replacements. They would be "older" than the rest of me! Now in my mid fifties, walking is painful, but not impossible. I limp badly, on both sides, that sounds weird, but both joints are bad! I now use a stick, which almost makes me feel a fraud, but I can't explain why! It is as if my joints define me, my husband said recently, "You don't want to do anything". I had to tell him in detail why! Even when the joints are having a good day, I am still waiting for the ache to start, sudden movements, like an impulsive hug, from him, can cause a sharp pain!
My Consultant is very reluctant to operate, previous surgery has left me with plates and screws that would make replacing the joints more difficult, he also says I am too young, and I would wear out the new joints, because I am too active, that was good for a laugh! Not his fault, but the idea of having to wait ten years, until I am older, so that I can then be active seems strange! However, he did say he would operate if I wanted him to, who wants long surgery, not me I am a coward! He suggested plenty of painkillers, but living on pills all the time is a worry! He said he would support me if I wanted to try to register as disabled. But am I disabled, and should I want to label myself as such? I can get around, there are many others far worse. I am lucky, we are not well off, but I do not have to work, although with three teenagers, I may have to try to fund their further education! My husband has a heart condition, which may result in early retirement, or working less hours. So finance may become a problem!
I am just feeling down, most of the time. I was never very active, but now it is as if I am trapped in a body that is too old for my mind! Now I am a moaning minnie too! Sorry, that really isn't me. But I used to do pretty much what I wanted, within reason. Some of life is good, three nice teenage kids, not on the breadline, loving hubby, so why am I so fed up!

Indie_Kid

Registering disabled doesn't exist any more. Some councils do have their own registers - but there is no nationwide thing.

MrsManda

HooCanTellMee wrote: »

My Consultant is very reluctant to operate, previous surgery has left me with plates and screws that would make replacing the joints more difficult, he also says I am too young, and I would wear out the new joints, because I am too active, that was good for a laugh! Not his fault, but the idea of having to wait ten years, until I am older, so that I can then be active seems strange! However, he did say he would operate if I wanted him to, who wants long surgery, not me I am a coward!

Your consultant is being rather sensible. Hip/joint replacements are not brilliant and many people who have them discover that they have less rather than more movement after the surgery. Generally if you can walk more than 100 metres (even if it hurts a lot and you need to take loads of painkillers) then you probably won't benefit from the surgery. Consultants often used something call the Oxford hip and knee score to identify patients who are likely to improve with the surgery. It's a balancing act as the more severe your symptoms the more likely it is that you'll receive benefit from the surgery as the difference pre and post op will be greater. But waiting until it's too severe may mean the outcome is worse.

HooCanTellMee wrote: »

He said he would support me if I wanted to try to register as disabled. But am I disabled, and should I want to label myself as such? I can get around, there are many others far worse. I am lucky, we are not well off, but I do not have to work, although with three teenagers, I may have to try to fund their further education! My husband has a heart condition, which may result in early retirement, or working less hours. So finance may become a problem!
I am just feeling down, most of the time. I was never very active, but now it is as if I am trapped in a body that is too old for my mind! Now I am a moaning minnie too! Sorry, that really isn't me. But I used to do pretty much what I wanted, within reason. Some of life is good, three nice teenage kids, not on the breadline, loving hubby, so why am I so fed up!

I think what your consultant means by 'registering as disabled' is that he'd support an application for Disability Living Allowance if you are eligible. To be eligible you need to have mobility or care needs which have lasted more than 3 mths and are expected to last more than 6 months. Given what you've said you may be entitled to the mobility component.
If you don't work due to illness do you claim Employment Support Allowance?

HooCanTellMee

Thanks for the replies,
I am not disagreeing with the Consultant, would like to leave replacements indefinitely, I really am chicken. Just finding the lack of mobility very frustrating, also any fitness I had is disappearing with the lack of mobility, also boredom is setting in. The joints are a lot less painful if I just sit around. Honestly didn't give up work because of illness, stopped employment to be stay at home Mum. Would like to do something now kids have grown up, but am limited as to what I could do, lifting, standing up for any length of time give pain. Don't think I would qualify for mobility allowance, I can walk a fair distance, with the aid of painkillers and a stick so I guess I had just better get on with it. Anyway, thanks again, wishing anyone reading this good health!

sarah*a

MrsManda wrote: »

I think what your consultant means by 'registering as disabled' is that he'd support an application for Disability Living Allowance if you are eligible.

Not neccesarily - he may have been referring to being registered with the local council.

sh1305 wrote: »

Registering disabled doesn't exist any more. Some councils do have their own registers - but there is no nationwide thing.

So it does exist - it's just local and more likely to be of help IMO

HooCanTellMee wrote: »

He said he would support me if I wanted to try to register as disabled.

I'm registered as disabled with my local council and it does make certain things easier - such as when I applied for my bus pass it was processed quicker because they had my details already and I am able to apply for holiday grants for myself and my husband (as my carer).

:cool:

redhead26

I am considering applying for disability now at 38 years old, I have fused joints in my feet, fingers and elbows which I have never considered to be a disability just a damn nuisance, however my feet are quite painful at times especially after the 2 fractures in the last 2 years (one sustained in a nightclub on the dance floor!) However I am worried about how being 'officially disabled' will affect me. I love to go out dancing and can ignore the pain for a while although I pay for it the next day! I believe that I should carry on doing what I like for as long as possible as now the arthritis has started in my hands I don't know at what point I will have to start being sensible! Also I am a dressmaker and do not want to stop working until I have to.
It concerns me when I read peoples posts about the abuse they get when parking in disabled bays as I too do not 'look' disabled and (hopefully!) look 'too young'!!! Makes me think twice about applying.
I have passed the condition on to all 4 of my kids and I don't want them to go through life thinking they are disabled, but then if there is extra help to be had, maybe we should take it??
My 11 year old is going in for her first foot operation next month, will be in plaster for 6 weeks and confined to a wheelchair, there was no such thing as a temporary disabled badge when my eldest had to go through this, making life extremely difficult, I assume this is still the case?

MrsManda

redhead26 wrote: »

I am considering applying for disability now at 38 years old, I have fused joints in my feet, fingers and elbows which I have never considered to be a disability just a damn nuisance, however my feet are quite painful at times especially after the 2 fractures in the last 2 years (one sustained in a nightclub on the dance floor!) However I am worried about how being 'officially disabled' will affect me. I love to go out dancing and can ignore the pain for a while although I pay for it the next day! I believe that I should carry on doing what I like for as long as possible as now the arthritis has started in my hands I don't know at what point I will have to start being sensible! Also I am a dressmaker and do not want to stop working until I have to.
It concerns me when I read peoples posts about the abuse they get when parking in disabled bays as I too do not 'look' disabled and (hopefully!) look 'too young'!!! Makes me think twice about applying.
I have passed the condition on to all 4 of my kids and I don't want them to go through life thinking they are disabled, but then if there is extra help to be had, maybe we should take it??
My 11 year old is going in for her first foot operation next month, will be in plaster for 6 weeks and confined to a wheelchair, there was no such thing as a temporary disabled badge when my eldest had to go through this, making life extremely difficult, I assume this is still the case?

I don't think you/your son won't qualify for a blue badge automatically but I believe that councils can issue them on a discretionary basis so it's worth speaking to your local council.
http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/bluebadgewhoqualifies

If you have care or mobility needs due to your illness you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance. If your children have care or mobility needs above those of a child of the same age without a disability, have had the needs for more than 3months and are likely to have them for at least a further 6 months then they may also be entitled Disability Living Allowance.

Receiving these benefits won't affect negatively affect you as they're assessed on how you are on an average day/week so if you are honest when applying and you are awarded the benefit then you can continue doing everything you have been doing, you'll just get a little extra help to support you.

It is good that you don't want your children to consider themselves disabled but I think you should also encourage them to seek support if they need it. Don't see the benefits as 'rewards' or a label for being disabled, rather see it as a way of balancing out a disability so that you can contribute to the world as fully as possible. There's nothing wrong with asking for help if it'll enable a more fullfilling life.

jjules22

I have Fibromyalgia Osteo Arthritis, and ulcerative colitis I have a medical from blue badge people tomorrow at home anyone had one of these?