Incapacity Benefit Question

hanny83_2

yeah that is true, the element of the unknown!! I guess it is just what AEDs you get on with. The doctors said that no-one has ever had a seizure on the drug he's on but suppose there could always be a first..... but just got to get on with life really. It could happen down on a tube, on the rigs, or in a field... but he's just a really stubborn guy determined not to let it rule his life. Good luck though, I don't disagree that it is a serious condition.

DaisyFlower

donnajunkie wrote: »

in my opinion epilepsy is a big risk and all sufferers should be entitled to incapacity. look at what happened to john travoltas son. he died in his own bathroom by banging his head during a seizure. so imagine what could happen within a workplace. even working anywhere with stairs is a risk because what if you had a seizure while climbing the stairs?

So by your theory you cant work in case something "may" happen. I "may" trip, fall, trap myself anywhere but it doesnt stop me going out.

Stairs are everywhere inc the home so cant see the point of that argument, although there would be plenty of people usually in a workplace so more chance of getting help quickly than being at home on your own.

Seems from your post you have been on JSA for a good while with no intention of working and are looking for a loophole out.

[Deleted User]

Lets get some things clear here,epilepsy affects around 500,000 people in the uk,80% of them have their seizures under control by medication,leaving 100,000 who`s daily lives are affected by often frequent seizures meaning that they are incapable of work(thats unable NOT unwilling),some are lucky enough to have understanding employers, most suffer from the ignorance and stigma still attatched to epilepsy.Of the 100,000 many would or do qualify for I/B or ESA and DLA(usually middle rate care/lower rate mobility).
I know someone who hasnt had a seizure for 40 years who is still on AEDs and still describes himself as having epilepsy,personally I have 3 or 4 grand mal seizures a week plus several petit mal per day,I havent even considered work for almost 11 years as I will not put myself at risk just to satisfy those who believe that everyone should work,even the near dead!
If anyone wants a chat about epilepsy or related benefits please feel free to message me

mazza111

Epilepsy is different for everyone, I had a workm8 last year who hadn't had a seizure for about 5 yrs, all of a sudden had one when he was driving, luckily he wasn't hurt, but kissed his license goodbye. Unfortunately, even though he thought his epilepsy was under control he took a massive seizure and died last year at the age of 32. Guess what I'm trying to say is, even though it appears to the outside world that there is nothing wrong with someone, doesn't mean to say that it's true.

Oldernotwiser

donnajunkie wrote: »

i am a plater by trade and was told by my union that companies would be reluctant to employ me due to the health and safety risk.

You may have been a plater by trade but I'm sure that you're capable of many different types of work. ESA is about concentrating on what people can do, rather than what they can't. Many people have to retrain when they develop a medical condition that affects their work and there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

donnajunkie

tom9980 wrote: »

Seems like your making excuses to me.

Your pretty much saying lets give benefits to those based on the fact they might be a health and safety risk for certain types of work and im not demeaning those with epilepsy who really do have a big problem i.e seizures everyday. Until you have proven the epilepsy is too much to reasonably expect someone to work with adaptions then i dont see an entitlement to IB/ESA.

look the basis of my query is simply to get advice on whether i am entitled to a certain benefit that i am currently not claiming. why should i not claim it if i am entitled? it is not about avoiding getting a job whether voluntary or paid. as i would still hope to find something suitable if i was claiming the benefit.
just because someone does something in normal life that is a risk that does not mean they should be required to do it in the workplace and be put at further risk. secondly if i do something at home that is of risk i am just putting myself at risk. if i do it at work i maybe putting someone else at risk who is working nearby. what if i got a job and had a seizure that resulted in a fatal injury? would you still have the same view?

donnajunkie

hanny83 wrote: »

yeah that is true, the element of the unknown!! I guess it is just what AEDs you get on with. The doctors said that no-one has ever had a seizure on the drug he's on but suppose there could always be a first..... but just got to get on with life really. It could happen down on a tube, on the rigs, or in a field... but he's just a really stubborn guy determined not to let it rule his life. Good luck though, I don't disagree that it is a serious condition.

i know what you mean when you say he does not want it to rule his life. i havent told most people i know that i have it.

hanny83_2

Have you told those closest to you or those that you spend the most time with? They may want to go on a first aid course or something incase something does happen. I can't find any courses that run in my area at weekends (I think that is a whole other thread).

Not sure about you, but the hardest thing for y bf is not being able to go out drinking like he used to, just generally being a lad. Are there many support groups for epileptics?

Sorry, totally hijacking this thread but if anyone has any info it could help other posters.

donnajunkie

DaisyFlower wrote: »

So by your theory you cant work in case something "may" happen. I "may" trip, fall, trap myself anywhere but it doesnt stop me going out.

Stairs are everywhere inc the home so cant see the point of that argument, although there would be plenty of people usually in a workplace so more chance of getting help quickly than being at home on your own.

Seems from your post you have been on JSA for a good while with no intention of working and are looking for a loophole out.

stairs was just an example. looking for a loophole? well it would be good if i could avoid being forced onto pointless courses that dont help at all. courses were i am stuck in a room full of divvys who cant count and also being forced myself to do maths and literacy tests that an 8 year old could fly through. what is wrong with wanting to avoid rubbish like that? that does not mean i want to avoid getting a job or even doing voluntary work until i do get a paid job.
i will say again the aim would be to get what i am entitled to, not avoid working.

donnajunkie

mazza111 wrote: »

Epilepsy is different for everyone, I had a workm8 last year who hadn't had a seizure for about 5 yrs, all of a sudden had one when he was driving, luckily he wasn't hurt, but kissed his license goodbye. Unfortunately, even though he thought his epilepsy was under control he took a massive seizure and died last year at the age of 32. Guess what I'm trying to say is, even though it appears to the outside world that there is nothing wrong with someone, doesn't mean to say that it's true.

i am so sorry to hear that. i am constantly in fear of death due to a seizure. i often have seizures during the night while i am asleep and i have been told they are the most dangerous.