new dla medicals

shegirl

sh1305 wrote: »

Is the food burnt? Cooked properly? The cooking test isn't based on ability to cook - it's things like safety and being able to follow instructions.



She's lucky then. I can just about wash; but not shave.

Yes its cooked properly,she just eats junk all the time because she likes it!

Common sense outweighs instructions too although she can read them.
She can also spend 24 hours a day having conversations online and aving cybersex but hey ho...she can't do anything and is soooo blind she needs money to waste on pricedrop tv!

LittleTinker

sh1305 wrote: »

They have a DMG which they can refer to. For some conditions, it's split into mild, moderate and severe. With the exception of deafblindness, it doesn't take into account other conditions. It says what the expected problems are - for example, as someone with moderate to severe sight sight loss, I may be registered as partially sighted, I may need help outside, I may need help with reading (post, signs when outside, medication labels, etc.) - however, I would be expected to use any aids, therefore, should have no problems reading. (However, I have various eye issues, which can make reading tiring and painful)

They don't always contact the persons' GP or specialist - it's obvious they haven't done this with me.



I agree. I've always been told to it on an average day; but explain better and bad days and how often they are. I'm sure it also says on the mobility section "is there anything more you want to tell us? For example, does your condition vary?"

A DM does not just pick one medical condition that you have listed and base all his decision on that.....he looks at all of them.
What makes you think that a DM is not looking at ALL your medical conditions?

Also, what makes you think they havent contacted your GP? Just because you think their decision is wrong, or that it implies that you are not as needy as you make out does not mean they did not contact your GP.

A DM will not base all of his decision on your GP's report alone.
As I said, he will have numerous ports of call for information gathering.

You also should not be filling out the forms as an "average day". You should fill them out honestly and make sure it is clear that you have some days that are better than other days and describe those fully.

If your form differs from their 'standard' then it will require a closer look and more information will be used to determin whats going on with that claimant.

These people are not stupid and can spot discrepancies a mile off.

Indie_Kid

LittleTinker wrote: »

What makes you think that a DM is not looking at ALL your medical conditions?

It's obvious - there was somethinh in the DMG that said those with bowel problems plus visual impairment may need extra help - despite me saying that I do have these problems and am registered as partially sighted, I was still told I should not have these problems. I was told that wearing a nappy would solve everything. There's someone on here whose son wears nappies and she was saying how wearing nappies does cause other problems. (somewhere to change, leaks, etc.)

Also, what makes you think they havent contacted your GP?

Their decision was made on June 2nd. They told me that I don't have depression (it's recorded in my notes) and don't need all the help that I do need - some of which is common sense. They've contact a GP (not the one named on the forms) once - I've renewed at least 3 times now. They've never contacted any specialists I see - they have all my notes which give my visual acuity, various tests results and the associated issues with my conditions.

A DM will not base all of his decision on your GP's report alone.
As I said, he will have numerous ports of call for information gathering.

I am aware of this. They did talk to their "medical services" who gave completely wrong information regarding one of my conditions - anyone with this condition will tell you about the balance problems - their medical services say I shouldn't have them.

If your form differs from their 'standard' then it will require a closer look and more information will be used to determin whats going on with that claimant.

These people are not stupid and can spot discrepancies a mile off.

My forms have always been filled out properly. I've always explained the help I need, why and the limitations of equipment (as recommended by RNIB) yet, I am still being told that aids solve everything. If they did, I wouldn't be constantly asking the low vision clinic to give me stronger aids and I wouldn't be registered as partially sighted.

My eye problems don't just affect my eyes - I have no depth perception, my balance isn't that good and I've got an undiagnosed neck problem because of how I hold my head. (the DMG state these problems should pass within a few weeks - 3 months on and I still no better, despite trying painkillers and buying a memory foam pillow, as recommended by my GP)

LittleTinker

sh1305 wrote: »

It's obvious - there was somethinh in the DMG that said those with bowel problems plus visual impairment may need extra help - despite me saying that I do have these problems and am registered as partially sighted, I was still told I should not have these problems. I was told that wearing a nappy would solve everything. There's someone on here whose son wears nappies and she was saying how wearing nappies does cause other problems. (somewhere to change, leaks, etc.)



Their decision was made on June 2nd. They told me that I don't have depression (it's recorded in my notes) and don't need all the help that I do need - some of which is common sense. They've contact a GP (not the one named on the forms) once - I've renewed at least 3 times now. They've never contacted any specialists I see - they have all my notes which give my visual acuity, various tests results and the associated issues with my conditions.



I am aware of this. They did talk to their "medical services" who gave completely wrong information regarding one of my conditions - anyone with this condition will tell you about the balance problems - their medical services say I shouldn't have them.



My forms have always been filled out properly. I've always explained the help I need, why and the limitations of equipment (as recommended by RNIB) yet, I am still being told that aids solve everything. If they did, I wouldn't be constantly asking the low vision clinic to give me stronger aids and I wouldn't be registered as partially sighted.

My eye problems don't just affect my eyes - I have no depth perception, my balance isn't that good and I've got an undiagnosed neck problem because of how I hold my head. (the DMG state these problems should pass within a few weeks - 3 months on and I still no better, despite trying painkillers and buying a memory foam pillow, as recommended by my GP)

I do not understand how you can determin that any DM has not looked at your forms properly.

A DM doesnt say to you "You should not have these problems so I think a nappy will do for now"........and I have no idea why you think that.

You are guessing as to what they do....you are also guessing as to why they have come to the descision you have been given.
Just because someone else gets DLA awards for one thing doesnt mean that you will too......each case is looked at individually.....other posters on here and what they describe will not help you one bit. Quite often, all it looks like is a form that has been filled out randomly with answers that dont fit.

I have also yet to meet a DM who thinks that "aids solve everything" ......and cannot understand where you have got that comment from.

I suspect that your interpretations of some of the letters you receive are not at all accurate.

A DM writting "I find that your condition could benefit from the use of various aids" does not mean that they think aids solve everything......(or even words to that effect).

If you are being treated for depression by your GP and you are being prescribed anti-depressants.........why would a DM write to you saying "I find that you do not have depression"? It does not make any sense the way you put it...........although it would make sense if the GP they contacted had reported that you had not seen him in over a year and was not prescribed anti-D's.
You make it sound as though they make it up as they go along.....what would they do that for?
If they have not contacted your specialists it is because they do not need to.

If they have looked at your case and you say you have severe balance problems to the point of needing help then they are going to look carefully. They know that the norm for your condition says that anyone who has this condition congenitally is likely to have compensated for the balance and depth issues by the time they are adults and usually find that it does not cause major problems.
They also know that congenital or early onset nystagmus does not usually get worse over time.
If you state the complete opposite of all this, it makes a DM look at your form much closer.

They think you should not have all these major problems because that is what all their researching has told them........if you know otherwise, if you know you are an exception, then you need to show them that it DOES affect you that badly by submitting appropriate proof.

You have to remember that your case is not the only case they see. There are thousands of similar cases on their database. If you are the only one of out thousands who is different to the 'norm' then you are not going to be awarded DLA without a major amount of proof that you need it being submitted by you.....and filling in the forms every few months and hoping to get it next time wont change that.....they will also look at your previous forms to see what differences there are.

Indie_Kid

LittleTinker wrote: »

A DM doesnt say to you "You should not have these problems so I think a nappy will do for now"........and I have no idea why you think that.

I was told at a tribunal that wearing nappies would solve anything. when I asked how it solves my problem of not being able to wipe myself, I didn't get an answer.

Just because someone else gets DLA awards for one thing doesnt mean that you will too......

Many people with my condition have had the same problem - one parent was told (as was I) that her daughter just adapt.

I have also yet to meet a DM who thinks that "aids solve everything" ......and cannot understand where you have got that comment from.

They said this to me; despite my consultant sending a letter stating something along the lines of "has Nystagmus. This is where the eyes wobble and causes tiredness. She is registered as partially sighted and had 6/12 and 6/24 vision".

If you are being treated for depression by your GP and you are being prescribed anti-depressants.........why would a DM write to you saying "I find that you do not have depression"? It does not make any sense the way you put it...........although it would make sense if the GP they contacted had reported that you had not seen him in over a year and was not prescribed anti-D's.

I haven't been prescribed anti-depressants and have been advised against accepting something before I have a diagnosis.

If they have looked at your case and you say you have severe balance problems to the point of needing help then they are going to look carefully. They know that the norm for your condition says that anyone who has this condition congenitally is likely to have compensated for the balance and depth issues by the time they are adults and usually find that it does not cause major problems.

It is not as simple as that - my sight is slowly getting worse and I've always had those problems. (to the extent where I've been told that I'm not allowed to ride a bike) when I was younger, I was known for being clumsy and would fall a lot. I still fall now and need help going up and down stairs.

They also know that congenital or early onset nystagmus does not usually get worse over time.

I have other conditions (which I've told them about) which do get worse over time - these cause more problems with the Nystagmus.

They think you should not have all these major problems because that is what all their researching has told them........if you know otherwise, if you know you are an exception, then you need to show them that it DOES affect you that badly by submitting appropriate proof.

I disagree! Their medical services claim that anyone with Nystagmus doesn't have problems with balance. Yet, if you Google Nystagmus, the RNIB and Nystagmus Network sites tell you differently. (as do many people with Nystagmus)

they will also look at your previous forms to see what differences there are.

Many of my conditions have changed overtime. According to the consultant (and GP before I was referred) I saw in December, my vision was 6/36 and 6/12. According to the consultant & optician I saw in April, my vision was 6/36 & 6/18. not long before that, I was diagnosed with Optic Atrophy. In June, I also caused severe injury to my neck - I still haven't recovered from this and have been told that my only option is injections.

LittleTinker

sh1305.......You said on one post earlier........."They told me that I don't have depression." which is why I mentioned it in my reply to you.

In this last post you made you have clarified that you do NOT take anti-depressants by saying "I haven't been prescribed anti-depressants"........which is very confusing.

Why would you be even mentioning anything about depression if you have not been diagnosed with it and do not take anti-d's?

I can see how a DM and tribunal people would be confused also if you are complaining that you do not get an award for things but yet havent 'officially' been diagnosed.

You also say, "They said this to me; despite my consultant sending a letter stating something along the lines of "has Nystagmus. This is where the eyes wobble and causes tiredness. She is registered as partially sighted and had 6/12 and 6/24 vision".
It sounds as though your consultant was not supportive of your claim. It isnt that they did not contact him as you previously said.
They did contact him but his letter did not support the things you were stating.

Another point you raised was this.........."I disagree! Their medical services claim that anyone with Nystagmus doesn't have problems with balance. Yet, if you Google Nystagmus, the RNIB and Nystagmus Network sites tell you differently. (as do many people with Nystagmus)"

I honestly do not think that anyone has categorically said to you that "anyone with Nystagmus doesn't have problems with balance" as that does not make sense. I think it is more likely that they have said something along the lines of, "Nystagmus would not normally present with balance problems to the extent you describe in congenital cases and the evidence presented before us would support that". You have read/heard something like this and interpreted it wrongly, I am sure of it.

I am also sure that noone disputes that you have a certain amount of problems to deal with however it does seem that your problems are not causing you enough mobility and care problems for you to be awarded DLA at any level.
To keep applying and make out that you have greater needs each time is going to work against you....as you are finding out.

DX2

LittleTinker wrote: »

sh1305.......You said on one post earlier........."They told me that I don't have depression." which is why I mentioned it in my reply to you.

In this last post you made you have clarified that you do NOT take anti-depressants by saying "I haven't been prescribed anti-depressants"........which is very confusing.

Why would you be even mentioning anything about depression if you have not been diagnosed with it and do not take anti-d's?

Friends/family/internet have diagnosed Sh depression not a single GP, what do they know right.