The System Has Gone Mad!!

Homemade_2

Trialia wrote: »

Actually, not so much. I had to have a special letter from my consultant regarding the impact of my hypermobility on my everyday life (things like I cannot lift my left arm above my head without my shoulder coming out, etc.) because DLA staff automatically assume hypermobility is just a non-painful thing put on the list to make me look worse and doesn't affect me at all. Drives me crazy.

DLA staff do not just assume that HMS is something to "put on the list to make you look worse". They know exactly what HMS is. But they do not know you.

You made have been asked to obtained a letter from your consultant. This is down to the fact that all people can be affected differently by illnesses because of differing factors, such as your other illnesses, meds you take, living conditions and other such things.

Not everyone with HMS has dislocations. Not everyone who has dislocations have pain with them. How can the DLA know exactly how HMS feels for you unless they ask you or your consultant? They have guidelines and look for information to fall within those lines and when it veers off slightly, they look for back up evidence.

I dont know what "drives you crazy"....is it the collecting of doctor reports you get hassled with? Its difficult to set a balance though so unfortunately some claimants will have to find more doctors reports than others.

Homemade_2

sh1305 wrote: »

I don't think they do. At least not when it comes to having 2 disabilities. They've accepted that my IBS fluctuates; but claim I still have no care needs. (I am hoping I am now that the awful stage of wanting to vomit when eating) They've said that my visual fluctuates; but still have said I should be able to walk down stairs with no problems on bad days because I can walk.:rolleyes:

Im not really sure of your post's point to be honest. In another post you said "I'm sure they (DLA) understand that people do have better and worse days." although in reply to this post you dont think that they do, so Im a bit confused as to what you mean.

What do you mean about voimiting when eating? You can get that symptom when you have an ulcer or dodgy gallbladder but people dont claim DLA for that.

Sorry, just a bit confused with your post.

Indie_Kid

Homemade wrote: »

What do you mean about voimiting when eating? You can get that symptom when you have an ulcer or dodgy gallbladder but people dont claim DLA for that.

Don't they? I actually go to purge when eating. It's not pleasant at all and can be quite scary.

Homemade_2

Purging when you have eaten is different from feeling sick after eating. Again I am unsure of what you are referring to. Either way, feeling sick and/or purging is not something that you need help with in a mobility or care capacity.
From the things you have described, I cant see how you think you are entitled to claim for care needs but there could be something I am missing. As for mobility, not in any way.

Indie_Kid

Homemade wrote: »

Purging when you have eaten is different from feeling sick after eating. Again I am unsure of what you are referring to. Either way, feeling sick and/or purging is not something that you need help with in a mobility or care capacity.
From the things you have described, I cant see how you think you are entitled to claim for care needs but there could be something I am missing. As for mobility, not in any way.

I am also partially sighted. Don't you dare tell me what I am not entitled to when you don't know my situation or my medical history.

I think you'll find I DO need help - I neeed supervision to ensure I don't throw up / purge.

GlasweJen

How does supervision stop you from being sick? Sorry I'm not understanding your point, as someone who has filled in many a DLA questionaire in a professional capacity (citizens advice scotland) and attended tribunals with clients I'm struggling to see where you'd qualify on the basis that you could be sick. There is no question that relates to the person being sick after eating.

The main points with IBS usually are; continence, mobility to get to a toilet, help with medication. If there are other disabilities involved then you may need to go into things like can the person clean themselves properly after using the toilet, is there medical equipment involved (like catheters needing changing?).

Visual impairement is another game altogether and depends on the degree of impairement, I don't see how IBS is more difficult to manage with a visual impairment (unless there is lots of medication involved).

Also DLA mobility is in 2 parts, lower is for supervision when outside (possibly applicable depending on how independant you are), higher is for people who can hardly walk on flat, it does not take stairs into consideration though I've never worked out why not.

Indie_Kid

GlasweJen wrote: »

Visual impairement is another game altogether and depends on the degree of impairement, I don't see how IBS is more difficult to manage with a visual impairment (unless there is lots of medication involved).

I can't even wipe my own bum right now. I've also been close to having several accidents. If I did have an accident, I would not be able to clean myself up properly.

it does not take stairs into consideration though I've never worked out why not.

I haven't worked that out either. I did have some tell me last year (who claism to work for DWP) that stairs are taken into consideration and because I can walk and therefore, don't receive HRM; I don't need help with going up and down stairs. (I can walk up & down stairs - it's the safety of it that's the problem)

GlasweJen

No, DLA high mobility is assessed walking on flat ground, doesn't even take potholes into consideration.

From the sounds of it you're not filling the form in properly as you're focusing on the wrong things, what distresses you most (i.e. the feeling sick) is not necessarily what the form is geared towards (care needs). There is no care need for feeling sick, there is a care need for not being able to clean up properly when going to the loo.

The hurdle you have to get over is that most VI people have enough body sense to know where everything is and how it should feel (my boyfriends blind granny has no bother caring for herself at all) so you have to explain where your extra difficulties are coming from (is it a combo of VI and IBS, have you recently had sight degeneration which means you're struggling more than someone who's been VI for years, is there other medical conditions you've not written down etc.). Only then will the DWP start assessing as 2 conditions together rather than 2 conditions that aren't usually awarded DLA.

Who filled in the forms before? I'd recommend calling round the agencies that do this service in your area (CAB, DIAL, Welfare Rights) and working out who has the most experienced DLA filler inner out of them all and get that person to fill your forms in after a good hours chat or some very detailed notes being written. Possibly get it done over several appointments.

luxor4t

Homemade wrote: »

Yes they do. DLA staff are expert in their assesment and know exactly which illness can fluctuate and which tend not to.

Surely most have no recognised medical training, are in fact civil servants who work from a series of computer programme-style flow charts - just like most of the NHS Direct Staff.

joyciebird

luxor4t wrote: »

Surely most have no recognised medical training, are in fact civil servants who work from a series of computer programme-style flow charts - just like most of the NHS Direct Staff.

DLA decision makers receive no medical training, but have access to medical information and Dr's at all times. As for using computer programme-style flow charts to made decisions this is not the case at all