Thank you

clarissa

Hi,

I would like to say a huge thank you to all those that give advice and support on this board.

I finally applied for DLA on the 17/06/09. I'd had the form written for a few months but kept hoping that things would improve, worrying that I'd not get an award and that they'd think I was being a wimp, being too proud etc, all the ususal things that come with being suddenly becoming unwell. I really wish I hadn't waited and sent my forms off in February when I first was told on here that I should.

I got a letter back today granting me HRM for 3 years and no care. It only took 10 days!!!!!!

I've noted down the things I did which might help others. My advice is don't hang on thinking about sending the form, just get it sent off with as much information as you can rustle up.

I filled the form in myself but have experience filling in Attendance Allowance forms through work. I filled in almost every section and gave full honest answers, giving examples of good days, average days and very bad days, how often etc. I repeated my symptoms and effects in every section that was appropriate and treated each section in isolation, that is not assuming that they would take information from one section and apply it to another. I found doing the form extremely stressful as it brought home to me how things had changed over a relatively short period of time and usually ended in trying to type through tears!

The 2 conditions I have are both very rare (one in a million rare) so I gave full explainations of both, listed my consultants and hospitals, listed all my ops and investigations, why, the results and hopes for future treatment. Over the months I'd been asking for copies of my GP/consultant letters and included copies of all of them. I wrote a summary of how things have affected me, how I felt and what I did to live around them. I stated that my GP fully supported my application and would supply further information if needed.

Thanks again for all the advice and although I don't post often it has been a great support reading other peoples experiences.

Lisa

cattie

Well done clarissa, I can imagine what a weight off your mind it must all be & to have a decison in such a short time.:j You must be close to breaking the record.:D

jetcat

well done clarissa - and 10 days!! wow!!!

Hope it makes life a little easier for you :beer:

C.C.L.

Well done! and so quick, you must be really pleased with the outcome. Very frustrating filling the forms in, even worse waiting for the decision IMO. Thanks also for letting us know....:T C.C.L.