Can i claim DLA for my son with a Prolapsed Bowel??

Lauzxx

Hi

Wondering if anybody can help me pleeeeeease!!

My 1 yr old son has been suffering with a re-occuring Prolapsed Bowel...yes not very nice at all....its when his bowel literally comes out of his Anus, bleeds etc, causes pain and discomfort for him and is VERY hard to push back in as it comes out about 3 inches.

Obviously, this is not right especially for a baby!!!...i t first happened in November and we were back and forth to the Childrens Hospital where the only advice i had was to try and push it back in myself...i have on occasions but that was under a lot of pressure...there r times where i can't get it in as squeezing the bowel causes more bleeding. I was given a load of medical equipment to use (latex gloves, sterile water etc) to help and that was it.

He was put on Movicol sum sort of laxative to help his stools come out without him feeling the need to strain (hence y the bowel started popping out)..., but it still comes out now and again which i have to try and push back in and obviously, I am not trained to do this but as the doctors had said...this will calm down when it is ready, they cannot say whether it will stop anytime soon.

Obviously now, this has a knock on effect with him being at nursery as they call me at times due to blood being in his nappy etc which is really distressing to hear. I cant imagine how he feels. He has stopped eating certain foods and does not eat at times due to him knowing that he will have to pass stools which has the possibility of making his bowel come out also. We go through about 8-10 nappies a day now as oppose to the 15 he was going through a day but this is still excessive.

I applied for DLA on his behalf and got a letter to say it was refused because he can walk etc but they havent asked me to provide any details. They made it sound like they will ask me for any further info BEFORE making a decision. All it says is that they have used my online application, which was quite restricting anyway plus i put down many contacts for them to consult if need be.

Im quite stressed about the situation, but will be appealing....just wanted to know how everybody else feels about this case and if it will be successful??

sorry to babble

thanx

GlasweJen

OP, for a childs DLA claim they compare your sons care needs to that of other children. As most one year olds are still in nappies then your son is not considered to need additional help compared with the average one year old. Has he had the prolapse for 3 months, do the doctors think it will take 6 months or more to clear up?

You really need support rather than money though and a visit to the GP is in order, tell him you want properly trained on this and your son needs something more than a bit of movicol if he's bleeding and in pain just going to the toilet.

kingfisherblue

DLA is awarded for the level of care needed, which has to be above the amount of care another child of the same age would need. Being able to walk would not come into it yet, as you can't apply for mobility until a child is three years old.

It does sound as though he has additional care needs, as obviously most people do not have to push their child's bowel back into their body. You can ring on Monday and ask for the decision to be reviewed - they then get another decision maker to look at the application. However, it also depends on how often this happens and how much extra time each day you spend giving care that is above and beyond the amount of care given to another child the same age. Most children are still in nappies at this age, so changing him would not count.

Personally, I would be more concerned that the bowel continues to prolapse and that you are supposed to push it back in, without training. It sounds extremely uncomfortable for your son, and could possibly be dangerous - what would happen if you accidentally ruptured the bowel? I would seek further help from your son's consultant. If he does not have one, ask your GP for a referral, preferably urgently, as you shouldn't be expected to continue in this way without support or training.

Indie_Kid

kingfisherblue wrote: »

DLA is awarded for the level of care needed, which has to be above the amount of care another child of the same age would need.

Or have the same level of care needs as a younger child.

it's up to you to get evidence.

kate252

Lauzxx wrote: »

Hi

Wondering if anybody can help me pleeeeeease!!

My 1 yr old son has been suffering with a re-occuring Prolapsed Bowel...yes not very nice at all....its when his bowel literally comes out of his Anus, bleeds etc, causes pain and discomfort for him and is VERY hard to push back in as it comes out about 3 inches.

Obviously, this is not right especially for a baby!!!...i t first happened in November and we were back and forth to the Childrens Hospital where the only advice i had was to try and push it back in myself...i have on occasions but that was under a lot of pressure...there r times where i can't get it in as squeezing the bowel causes more bleeding. I was given a load of medical equipment to use (latex gloves, sterile water etc) to help and that was it.

He was put on Movicol sum sort of laxative to help his stools come out without him feeling the need to strain (hence y the bowel started popping out)..., but it still comes out now and again which i have to try and push back in and obviously, I am not trained to do this but as the doctors had said...this will calm down when it is ready, they cannot say whether it will stop anytime soon.

Obviously now, this has a knock on effect with him being at nursery as they call me at times due to blood being in his nappy etc which is really distressing to hear. I cant imagine how he feels. He has stopped eating certain foods and does not eat at times due to him knowing that he will have to pass stools which has the possibility of making his bowel come out also. We go through about 8-10 nappies a day now as oppose to the 15 he was going through a day but this is still excessive.

I applied for DLA on his behalf and got a letter to say it was refused because he can walk etc but they havent asked me to provide any details. They made it sound like they will ask me for any further info BEFORE making a decision. All it says is that they have used my online application, which was quite restricting anyway plus i put down many contacts for them to consult if need be.

Im quite stressed about the situation, but will be appealing....just wanted to know how everybody else feels about this case and if it will be successful??

sorry to babble

thanx

sounds like you filled in the form wrong and shot yourself in the foot- take it to the CAB who will guide you through the form and point out to you that you probably do spend longer than you thought caring for his needs- know what i mean?
they didnt look at big picture when processing form but totted up points- can your baby walk un aided- yes- nil points

so appeal and go through it again- you have to help your child get around as your child could have a prolapse any minute- so you cant leave hikm alone for a second, you have to check his bum on the hour every hour- you ahve to do this, that
soudns like youve tried to be accurate and honest but you havent played the game im sorry thats the way it is- go back and think again- did yopu under estimate his care needs? did you emphasise the difference in caring for him over a normal child?
prolapsed bowel should get you the dla- dont stop till yopu get it
send me message if you like and ill go through form withn you

kate252

kingfisherblue wrote: »

DLA is awarded for the level of care needed, which has to be above the amount of care another child of the same age would need. Being able to walk would not come into it yet, as you can't apply for mobility until a child is three years old.

It does sound as though he has additional care needs, as obviously most people do not have to push their child's bowel back into their body. You can ring on Monday and ask for the decision to be reviewed - they then get another decision maker to look at the application. However, it also depends on how often this happens and how much extra time each day you spend giving care that is above and beyond the amount of care given to another child the same age. Most children are still in nappies at this age, so changing him would not count.

Personally, I would be more concerned that the bowel continues to prolapse and that you are supposed to push it back in, without training. It sounds extremely uncomfortable for your son, and could possibly be dangerous - what would happen if you accidentally ruptured the bowel? I would seek further help from your son's consultant. If he does not have one, ask your GP for a referral, preferably urgently, as you shouldn't be expected to continue in this way without support or training.

yes second this totally
quite astonished too at this

good luck

GlasweJen

Kate don't talk rubbish, prolapse doesn't happen at the drop of a hat, it happens when LO is going to the toilet, that's why he's being medicated to stop him straining! Your advice is basically benefit fraud and I think the DWP will be very suspicious if OP applies saying that her wee ones bowels fall out randomly!

Also the question of how long he's been like this and wether or not it's a lasting condition hasn't been addressed, for all we know it's happened twice and isn't likely to happen again after he gets over a stomach bug or something.

WhiteHorse

kingfisherblue wrote:

[...] Being able to walk would not come into it yet, as you can't apply for mobility until a child is three years old.

Good point.

If this is one of their supposed reasons for rejection, then you have grounds for a formal complaint.

Nor should you be left to deal with a condition like this on your own. Necrosis is a very real danger and is life threatening. The PCT is failing big time. Make enquiries with regard to treatment and back-up. Don't hesitate to make a formal complaint if you get the brush off or are otherwise not satisfied.

Indie_Kid

Are you getting any help from your son's consultant, GP, etc?

GlasweJen

Sounds like the OP has either filled in the form wrong (tried to apply for mobility for a child under 3 who can walk because that just happens to be the front section) or the letter has more in it than "no award as child can walk" but due to OP being stressed and trying to knock a post together we've only got part of the story.

Glyndwr_2

Lauzxx wrote: »

i t first happened in November

When did you apply? The needs have to have been there for 3 months and be expected to continue for at least a further 6 months.

Lauzxx wrote: »

I was given a load of medical equipment to use (latex gloves, sterile water etc) to help and that was it.

Do you not have any follow up apointment at the hospital? Were you told to see your GP for follow up?

Lauzxx wrote: »

but as the doctors had said...this will calm down when it is ready, they cannot say whether it will stop anytime soon.

This does not imply the the doctors expect the needs will continue, therefore DLA would not be appropriate.

Lauzxx wrote: »

We go through about 8-10 nappies a day now as oppose to the 15 he was going through a day but this is still excessive.

You are already demonstrating that his needs are improving.

Lauzxx wrote: »

All it says is that they have used my online application, which was quite restricting anyway plus i put down many contacts for them to consult if need be.

You could have sent in further evidence. It is up to you to do this. The DWP are under no obligation to contact any GP/consultants.