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mumoftwins · 7 August 2009 at 1:29AM

GreyhoundAngel wrote: »

So, from what it states there... wouldn't "games" even in it's most basic form (ie board games) be categorised under Leisure ?

What I'm trying to say (and not very well probably ) is that for my OH, due to the varied issues the illness has left him with - something like a games consol (of some description), a remote control object, rubix cube, or anything along those lines - MAY actually help him ..... whereby not only does it "force" his physical reflexes into action, but also stimulates his "neurological & cognitive" processess at the same time ?
G:A x

Just to go back to the money spent on 'leisure' ie: games stations and the like - I work part time in a Mental Health Unit for the Elderly and we have a Wii there for the patients to use with the Occupational Therapist. Apart from giving them something to do, it has been proven to help stimulate their mind which is so important - its bad enough being physically disabled, but why let your mind go too when you can be amused and have your brain engaged?

NASA_2 · 7 August 2009 at 6:20AM

Claire_DC wrote: »

My mum paid taxes for all her working life UNTIL she became disabled... surely she's only reaping back what she's already paid in and as such it's not your taxes that are keeping her, but her own contributions; and thus under your own rules you have little/no say in what she needs to buy to live (and not just survive) let alone more of a say.

Generous? Have you seen how much extra it costs to be disabled?

There is no 'personal pot' when it comes to taxes so this warped 'I'm just getting back what I paid in' argument doesnt make any sense at all.

The taxes paid 20 years ago were spent at the time providing services.

My tax now is providing services and because I doubt it will be the same when I am older I want it to be changed now.

bestpud · 7 August 2009 at 7:30AM

As I see it, the 'problem' with DLA is it is not means tested and, while it is banded according to 'need', it does not actually reflect the expenses of each claimant individually.

Therefore, there is an awful lot of people spending more on basic needs than their DLA can hope to cover, and many more spending less, or even next to nothing, but receiving the same award.

Also, there are people who can afford the best care out there without DLA and those who are struggling to make ends meet.

The idea is good, as it promotes independence and does away with people relying on SS to provide what they think the person needs, but it is not a fair system all the same.

And, whether we like it or not, the welfare state is no longer sustainable in its current form. Something has to give and it is not just those with disabilities being targeted.

I have no idea what the answer is and I would hate to see people with disabilities being reliant on ss and the same systems of 'care' many elderly people are being subjected to, but the system as it stands does need an overhaul.

Personally, I'd start by making it means tested, but with thresholds set far higher than other benefits.

Then I would be looking at actual expenses incurred by claimants and targeting the available funds better.

How that would work in practice, I have no idea, but something has got to change and it seems fair to target those most in need of the money first.

purplecatlover · 7 August 2009 at 8:11AM

hayley11 wrote: »

A cousin of mine claims it for "mental health" reasons, there is nothing wrong with her except she is extremely lazy and can't stick at any jobs so she chooses to fake illnesses to get as many benefits as possible.

it really saddens me when people make judgements about the validity of another persons illness. to people who dont know me well, i look like i am fine, am faking illness whatever, except in the times when its a struggle to keep out of the mental hospital. i would love to go back to work, i really miss it and i feel enough like a scrounger as it is without it being implied that i am lazy and cba just because i lack the motivation, energy or enthusiams to do things like get changed/dressed, eat, or go out without someone telling and reminding me to do so. you dont knwo what is going on behind the scenes so to speak in your cousins house, you dont knwo what care and support she needs to cope and "appear" to eb merely lazy and faking an illness.

any of you who are fine and have no need for dla i would love to swap places with you, you live my (or anone else disabled or ill) life for a week and you would be crying like a baby at the boredom and lack of independence available. try it, take a weeks holida and stay in the house 24/7. or simpler still, you cannot go and buy a pint of milk without arranging for someone to accompany you to the shop. you cannot go out anywhere on your own, nope not even up the street to see your friend. games consoles/internet are a luxery, ok then you stay at home (apart form when you must be at work ill allow you that luxery of comapny and stimualtion form other adults and the joy of working) and see how you manage to entertain yourself without any forums, or people to talk to. no phone calls either, you cant afford to pay the extra for anything other than line rental which allows you to keep the phone so you can call for help in an emergency. you cant afford to bu magazines, books or anything like that, besides theya re a luxery so not allowed! no tv either as you cant afford a roof ariel, cant get any reception without one and cant afford the luxery of satelite or cable.

nwo how the heck do you like it? and thats only the start, i could go on for hours as i am sure could many other people.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE · 7 August 2009 at 8:27AM

I always read the benefits board out of interest.
I don't receive benefits but I don't think it harms being in the know just incase.
I signed up for the disability campaign as I think it's the right thing to do.
I'm just a little appalled at some of the "I'm all right jack" attitude and what can only be" jealousy" there is on this thread to do with disabled benefits.
My god,would anyone want to be disabled just to receive a bit of extra financial help.
Anyone who would begrudge a disabled person help clearly has no idea how disability affects peoples lives.
Putting myself in the position of a housebound disabled person,I think an internet connection and whatever else I had would be an essential to stop me going mad.
Or does that not matter.
I just can't understand how people can be so selfish.
We've paid tax for over 40 years non stop and don't begrudge a penny paid to disabled people.
There but for the grace of God,go I.
Perhaps those moaning should consider that.

alwaysonthego_2 · 7 August 2009 at 8:59AM

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

My sister has AA and has chosen to spend some of it on a gardener (so that she doesn't have to worry about it becoming a wilderness as she can't do it herself), a cleaner (ditto with the housework) and until recently, a dog walker (because when she first had the dog she was able to walk it herself and employed the dog walker when she could no longer do so . She has now given the dog away so doesn't need a dog walker any more).

I don't think it is wrong of her to spend the money this way as if she didn't have the disability she could do these things herself. So she IS using it to assist with her disability.

She also employs a lady to help her bath and wash her hair.

It does worry me if AA is done away with, that she will no longer be able to have the cleaner and gardener. Worrying about these things will make her mental health worse, and trying to do them herself will cripple her. I hope sense and discretion is used.

This is what DLA/AA was supposed to pay for!

alwaysonthego_2 · 7 August 2009 at 9:07AM

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

I always read the benefits board out of interest.
I don't receive benefits but I don't think it harms being in the know just incase.
I signed up for the disability campaign as I think it's the right thing to do.
I'm just a little appalled at some of the "I'm all right jack" attitude and what can only be" jealousy" there is on this thread to do with disabled benefits.
My god,would anyone want to be disabled just to receive a bit of extra financial help.
Anyone who would begrudge a disabled person help clearly has no idea how disability affects peoples lives.
Putting myself in the position of a housebound disabled person,I think an internet connection and whatever else I had would be an essential to stop me going mad.
Or does that not matter.
I just can't understand how people can be so selfish.
We've paid tax for over 40 years non stop and don't begrudge a penny paid to disabled people.
There but for the grace of God,go I.
Perhaps those moaning should consider that.

I am not jealous of people who recieve DLA/AA.

I just think people should consider against using the argument that they use their DLA to pay for games machines and non-essential items as I am sure that the governement would soon abolish it. You need to be putting forward a more stronger argument.

Nobody is saying you should not purchase items such as Playstations, but benefits are being used which are supposed to support your care needs then it is only right that this is being reviewed as there is not a bottomless pit of money.

I am certainly not selfish as i volunteer myself helping people fill out DLA forms etc. The government do not consider DLA money to be excess income because this is why they made in non means tested so that money would not be ear marked for day to day finances but go towards their care needs. Creditors are not allowed to take DLA into consideration when they are looking at a client's finances.

To the poster who mentions that her patients play with a WII, I see nothing wrong with WIIs opposed to other gamestations as they are interactive, good form of exercise whereas Playstations are very solitary and I have seen it bring the worst out of people.

mumoftwins · 7 August 2009 at 9:17AM

I think that we must remember that not everyone who is disabled uses their DLA to buy PS3's and the like, these people must be a very small minority.

For my part having broadband/internet access is a mindsaver when I am up in the wee small hours because of the severe pain that keeps me awake.

alwaysonthego_2 · 7 August 2009 at 9:23AM

mumoftwins wrote: »

I think that we must remember that not everyone who is disabled uses their DLA to buy PS3's and the like, these people must be a very small minority.

For my part having broadband/internet access is a mindsaver when I am up in the wee small hours because of the severe pain that keeps me awake.

I can now, as explained by someone, see why someone would want to get an internet connection as they can do on line shopping etc.

I know the majority of people use their DLA for what it is intended for.

I do believe that people should have some autonomy over their money, I think it is really sad that people who really need help with their care needs are being turned down and the small minority are using theirs to buy PS3s.

System · 7 August 2009 at 10:48AM

Just to add on the internet side of things, i don't get a lot of support (something i need to speak with my GP about but anyway), if i'm in crisis or in need of support the internet provides a lifeline i'd be lost without. Its my link to others who are in my situation, and there is always someone online i talk to no matter what time of day. I know during the year i had no internet access my mental health suffered as a result.