unable to work due to illness/disability

krisskross

TheBottomLine wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that if you can't afford to buy your own specs you can get them on the NHS. Might be worth looking into.

Thank you for the kind thought but I believe you have to receiving means tested benefits to get free glasses.

Still to look on the bright side my husband is having the first of his lens implants today and he shouldn't need any more expensive prescription specs. So only one lot to pay for.:j

foreign_correspondent

Just some advice about choosing a bike - do not pick one up from freecycle or the classifieds without doing some research first - cyclinc can be fine for knees of the bike geometry is right, or can cause problems if it is not. (anyone who doesn't believe me, try cycling for a mile on a bike that is too small for you and your knees will thrash!)

My advice is - however you pay for it - to go to a decent bike shop (not Halfords, but a specialist retailer) and ask them to fit you for a bike - explain your knee problems, if they seem at all unsure of what you should be looking for, then go elsewhere.

It would be a total waste of money to spend money on a bike that makes things worse - however, the right bicycle does not need to be an expensive one, it just needs to have the right geometry for you.

You could even identify a model that suits then look online (make sure you get all the details, frame size etc) some factors re: bike fit and knee pain which may be informative here - http://www.cptips.com/knee2.htm - see the table at the bottom of the page.

welshgirl_michelle

thankyou very much for your advice .. much appreciated

soolin

I actually think the idea of a fixed bike in a gym or something might be more suitable. For a start it isn't going to fall over or hit a wall if you suddenly get pain and have to stop, you have people around you in a gym that can assist you on any sudden onset of problems. Also some gyms have non standard cyling machines, sort of reclined bikes, depending on your needs you may actually find that of some benefit to have different options on how you are placed on the bike.

Many gyms offer free or reduced membership for people on certain benefits, why not give that a try?

TOBRUK

welshgirl_michelle wrote: »

im currently unemployed due to ill health and recieving income support .. i have been told by the physiotherapists/doctors at the hospital that purchasing a mountain bike would help improve my illness. my question is .. would i be able to get help (money wise) with regards to purchasing a mountain bike??

I do not know what your condition is or how it affects you and I'm sure I wouldn't question what your doctors/physiotherapists have suggested. However, if your condition means that you could get into trouble with dislocations etc at any time I would question the safety aspect if you were out on your bike and got into trouble!

With this in mind I would really agree with soolin about a gym or something similar. However, as you do receive DLA which I would imagine that you receive MOBILITY component - this would be for help with getting around and this should be used for purchase of a bike I would have thought.

Please note that I am not telling you how to spend your DLA as this is your business.

soolin wrote: »

I actually think the idea of a fixed bike in a gym or something might be more suitable. For a start it isn't going to fall over or hit a wall if you suddenly get pain and have to stop, you have people around you in a gym that can assist you on any sudden onset of problems. Also some gyms have non standard cyling machines, sort of reclined bikes, depending on your needs you may actually find that of some benefit to have different options on how you are placed on the bike.

Many gyms offer free or reduced membership for people on certain benefits, why not give that a try?

I agree that this would be worth looking into, especially with safety in mind.

sh1305 wrote: »

But some people find that DLA doesn't cover the cost of everything.

This is true, however it is disability living ALLOWANCE, it is to help make life easier and not to cover everything - how wonderful would that be!

I receive DLA both components and do struggle with living on my own and being far away from family. I could find a lot more ways to spend my dla BUT I have to budget and prioritise.

berniesmaster

soolin wrote: »

I actually think the idea of a fixed bike in a gym or something might be more suitable. For a start it isn't going to fall over or hit a wall if you suddenly get pain and have to stop, you have people around you in a gym that can assist you on any sudden onset of problems. Also some gyms have non standard cyling machines, sort of reclined bikes, depending on your needs you may actually find that of some benefit to have different options on how you are placed on the bike.

Many gyms offer free or reduced membership for people on certain benefits, why not give that a try?

i was about to suggest this.

woody01

paulrn wrote: »

I must be going mad, in what world can you swim and ride a mountain bike but not be fit enough to do some sort of work.

Spot on.
There must a 100's of jobs that can be done if you can ride a bike.

Cant you get a job sitting down?

ramsas

dmg24 wrote: »

What rate of DLA do you get?

Tesco has bikes for under £100, Argos for under £80. I am sure there are even cheaper available.

No the government won't help this person get a bike, but it does help you buy your alchohol if you are an alchoholic.
You do talk some rubbish!

You do talk some rubbish!

Consumption of alcohol as a result of dependence where the claimant cannot reasonably avoid alcohol can count towards consideration of the care component. See also CDLA/2228/1999.

ramsas

It is also a FACT that at one time people dependent on alcohol were given extra money in their benefits to cover the cost of drink!!!!whether or not that still exists I am not certain,but the poster who mentioned this matter was indeed correct to a point..certainly not talking rubbish has stated by another!!!

kusadasi040667

ramsas wrote: »

It is also a FACT that at one time people dependent on alcohol were given extra money in their benefits to cover the cost of drink!!!!whether or not that still exists I am not certain,but the poster who mentioned this matter was indeed correct to a point..certainly not talking rubbish has stated by another!!![/QUOTE

It is true about the alcohol as with some other addictions such as heroin could get extra benefits, a very common one which people caught onto was .. if homeless and the owner of a dog apart from the normal great benefit of having a dog as a companion etc. The other benefit was a cash one, as you got an allowance added onto your giro for the upkeep of your four legged friend . K