Question about DLA Care and Mobility

FleurDuLys

Hi,

Whenever I see people talk of the higher rate of the care component of DLA, they always seem to be in receipt of at least the lower-rate mobility component too.

Is it possible to have HRC without being awarded any mobility? I'll be getting HRC (through the special rules, ugh) and whilst having the lower rate of mobility would be very helpful, I'm not expecting it.

Many thanks,
Fleur

jetta_wales

Technically it would be possible I suppose but I can't think of a situation in which a person would have such needs as to require HRC without also qualifying for mobility at either level. Somebody'll point out an example now and I'll go "duh" for it not having occured to me.

FleurDuLys

Thanks Jetta. I'm terminally ill (apparently - haven't given up yet!) with stage 4 cancer, and the Macmillan nurse told me to apply for DLA as I'm guaranteed to get HRC through the special rules. My GP has filled in the necessary forms and I've sent the application off.

At times I'm utterly exhausted because of chemo, and have to taxis or lifts from friends if I absolutely need to go somewhere (otherwise I just stay in), but this isn't constant - I'm actually tolerating the chemo really well and at times can feel quite normal and be able to walk much more than 100m. As I like walking I do this as much as possible when I physically can! So I doubt I'd be considered for any sort of mobility really.

jetta_wales

FleurDuLys wrote: »

Thanks Jetta. I'm terminally ill (apparently - haven't given up yet!) with stage 4 cancer, and the Macmillan nurse told me to apply for DLA as I'm guaranteed to get HRC through the special rules. My GP has filled in the necessary forms and I've sent the application off.

At times I'm utterly exhausted because of chemo, and have to taxis or lifts from friends if I absolutely need to go somewhere (otherwise I just stay in), but this isn't constant - I'm actually tolerating the chemo really well and at times can feel quite normal and be able to walk much more than 100m. As I like walking I do this as much as possible when I physically can! So I doubt I'd be considered for any sort of mobility really.

I hope the HRC can help financially as you certainly don't need to be short of money right now but with regard to mobility though there's maybe cause for you to be eligible the process of DLA claims and apeals can be pretty stressful and unpleasant so you should probably weigh up wether it would be worth going through it if that makes any sense? :-)

Keep fighting and I hope you can prove them wrong and win the battle xxx

FleurDuLys

Thanks tons for your kind wishes. I wouldn't fight for mobility, if they decide that I can't have it then fair enough! I don't actually feel ill enough to warrant HRC yet, as I don't need looking after much, but the money will help with various things which are costing me a lot more (such as organic ready meals for when I'm too tired to cook, and heating bills as I have the heating on a lot more).

I reckon I can outlive the prognosis that my oncologist gave me, even if I can't be cured. I've overhauled my diet (hence the organic food) and on days I'm feeling well I can actually have more energy and feel better than I have for ages! I am not ready to give up yet

daska

FleurDuLys wrote: »

Thanks tons for your kind wishes. I wouldn't fight for mobility, if they decide that I can't have it then fair enough! I don't actually feel ill enough to warrant HRC yet, as I don't need looking after much, but the money will help with various things which are costing me a lot more (such as organic ready meals for when I'm too tired to cook, and heating bills as I have the heating on a lot more).

I reckon I can outlive the prognosis that my oncologist gave me, even if I can't be cured. I've overhauled my diet (hence the organic food) and on days I'm feeling well I can actually have more energy and feel better than I have for ages! I am not ready to give up yet

LOL, love your attitude, you give it a run for it's money girl! But don't do yourself an injustice, DLA 'care' isn't limited to paying carers, it is for meeting the additional day to day costs of being disabled i.e. the examples you just gave. "This can include anything from increased electricity bills, running medical equipment and doing laundry more often, to increased transport costs, specialist clothing and having to buy more expensive ready-made food which is easier to cook."

Lou76

Fleur, I'm afraid I can't answer your question but wish you all the best with your claim.

Just wanted to say, my Mum used to be a volunteer at a Day Hospice [for cancer patients] and you would fit in well with them, your positive attitude puts some of us, non terminal "sufferers" to shame.

I know it may not be your thing, but have you looked into/ been told about any day hospices in your area?

I'll be honest, when my Mum phoned me to say she was volunteering in a hospice I was worried sick about her. I envisaged a place full of doom & gloom, I couldn't be further from the truth if I tried.

Everyone there benefited from it (volunteers and staff alike) as it was somewhere the patients could discuss their fears/problems etc without burdening their families, but also somewhere they could have a laugh and be themselves again - not a cancer case, or whatever they thought family/friends were beginning to treat them as.

Sorry for sticking my oar in, but as I said in the beginning, I wish you all the best.

Lou xx

jetta_wales

I can see why diet chains would be needed and would help, it's suprising just how much crap we put into our bodies every day just from non organic or processed foods and they stuff they put in reformed meats is dreadful. I have to be very careful with what I eat else I get sleepy (no diagnosis yet and been having tests for 3 years now). The one thing that is always magic for getting toxins out of my system is lose leaf green tea (the tea bags brew too fast and aren't nice) and there have been studies on it's aid in battling cancer but I don't know any details. I know it's the only thing that can ever get me back on my feet after something's made me weak and sleepy though and it's great for preventing hangovers too (though I doubt that's a use you'd have for it right now). It just makes me feel better even if I didn't feel too bad I always say it's magic :-) I have the Jasmine green tea with little White petals mixed in with the shredded leaves.

It might not work for you but if it might make you feel a little brighter when trying to coup with the chemo then maybe it's worth a try?

Wish I had a magic wand of course but all I have is tea sorry :-)

FleurDuLys

Thanks, all of you

Daska - that's really helpful, thank you! These things are costing me extra money, so I won't feel too bad about claiming for them. The specialist clothing bit is really good to know about as well, as I had a mastectomy and bras and swimwear are relatively expensive.

Lou, I've been told to look into day hospices already - but I don't currently feel I need to yet, if that makes sense? I'm trying to live as normally as possible without too many things telling me that I have a poor prognosis. I've heard such good things about day hospices and they have lots of services which could be helpful/enjoyable and I'll definitely see about attending one when I'm further along the line.

Jetta - green/white tea is a magical elixir for me! It IS like a magic wand!! I totally understand where you're coming from there It really does perk me up. I used to drink a huge amount of cola for the caffeine as I've been taking strong painkillers longterm and they sap my energy, but after the cancer diagnosis I stopped that at once. Green/white tea works just as well! Plus as you say, there's evidence to suggest that it can help fight cancer. I've done a heap of research into diet and I make sure I have some every day

The same foods seem to come up in various different diets advised for cancer patients. I juice green veg every day to help get even more nutrients into my body, and have cut out dairy (apart from a rare bit of cheese on top of pasta), soy products, added sugars, and anything processed. So it's mainly organic fruit and veg, organic meat occasionally, fish, and oat milk instead of cow milk. I drink fruit juices mixed with fizzy water as I found that this has helped me get off my cola habit, and I snack on nuts and dried fruits and have found that I no-longer find the thought of crisps and sweets nice! I do have a little square of organic dark choc now and then, but find that's all I want, rather than scoffing the whole bar

Even if it doesn't do anything to fight the cancer, this mega-healthy diet has helped keep my energy levels up and helped keep my mood positive. It can't hurt me, it can only do me good. I have blood tests pre-chemo and they are always impressed that my haemolobin levels are perfect - I think that this must be because of the green veg juice!

jetta_wales

FleurDuLys wrote: »

Thanks, all of you

Daska - that's really helpful, thank you! These things are costing me extra money, so I won't feel too bad about claiming for them. The specialist clothing bit is really good to know about as well, as I had a mastectomy and bras and swimwear are relatively expensive.

Lou, I've been told to look into day hospices already - but I don't currently feel I need to yet, if that makes sense? I'm trying to live as normally as possible without too many things telling me that I have a poor prognosis. I've heard such good things about day hospices and they have lots of services which could be helpful/enjoyable and I'll definitely see about attending one when I'm further along the line.

Jetta - green/white tea is a magical elixir for me! It IS like a magic wand!! I totally understand where you're coming from there It really does perk me up. I used to drink a huge amount of cola for the caffeine as I've been taking strong painkillers longterm and they sap my energy, but after the cancer diagnosis I stopped that at once. Green/white tea works just as well! Plus as you say, there's evidence to suggest that it can help fight cancer. I've done a heap of research into diet and I make sure I have some every day

The same foods seem to come up in various different diets advised for cancer patients. I juice green veg every day to help get even more nutrients into my body, and have cut out dairy (apart from a rare bit of cheese on top of pasta), soy products, added sugars, and anything processed. So it's mainly organic fruit and veg, organic meat occasionally, fish, and oat milk instead of cow milk. I drink fruit juices mixed with fizzy water as I found that this has helped me get off my cola habit, and I snack on nuts and dried fruits and have found that I no-longer find the thought of crisps and sweets nice! I do have a little square of organic dark choc now and then, but find that's all I want, rather than scoffing the whole bar

Even if it doesn't do anything to fight the cancer, this mega-healthy diet has helped keep my energy levels up and helped keep my mood positive. It can't hurt me, it can only do me good. I have blood tests pre-chemo and they are always impressed that my haemolobin levels are perfect - I think that this must be because of the green veg juice!

Wow you really do have all guns blazing t it don't you? :-)

You're a star and that post did make me smile, you're full of fight determination and that's so commendable and you seem bright and positive too what a great attitude to have toward it.

You would be an excellent example to many facing the same fight and maybe that's something you could bring to the table if you ever did visit a hospice and share your spirit and veg juice weaponry with others :-)

Mullhon2

Hi,

Again, I cannot offer any advice regards DLA process, but just wanted to send you lots of luck and health.
I am inspired by how you have taken the diagnosis to change your diet, etc.
I imagine you will *stubbornly* bypass all prognosis! *laughs*
Good luck, positive thoughts being sent to you.

Take care,
Nikki