dla - virtually unable to walk/impact on mental health

krypton_the_slayer

I've been advised to claim dla in the past but been denied - found the whole thing too stressful and had no support from useless locum GP's.
Anyway, I've found a piece of case law that applies to me.
it goes,

'CDLA/805/1994 gave a hypothetical example where a tribunal could conclude that someone who could walk 400 yards but who then had to wait for two hours before walking another 400 yards was virtually unable to walk'



Has anyone had success on this criteria?
I have severe flat feet, hyper-mobility, chronic pain and associated fatigue . On a good day I can walk 400 yards but it leaves me completely wasted for hours and sometimes days at a time - to the point where I need help just to get up from sitting, cannot walk 50 yards and have to crawl upstairs. At bedtime, sometimes I am reduced to tears because of the pain.
Getting up in the morning is a huge struggle.


I can only work part time (school term-time) and have long holidays - which I need to recover my energy. I also only work for a few hours then have several hours rest.

If I worked any harder I'd probably have a crash due to fatigue.



I also suffer with an as yet undiagnosed mood disorder which is compounded by the pain and discomfort.
At times I feel close to breaking point - its only going to get worse as there are no treatment options for me worth taking.
I realise there are people worse off but the impact on my mental health is such that I fear another break down. I've already had a full blown psychotic/suicidal episode, possibly related to overuse of painkillers - but definitely in part worsened by the pain, depression and mood swings.
I rarely go out to see friends as I hardly have the psychical or mental energy to do so and the fear of more pain often prevents me.
I'm not after sympathy - a lot of my work has been with those far more metally and physically disabled than I, so I am acutely aware of the impact disability can have.

Any advice from people in similar a position, (ie with any of the health issues I've mentioned) would be welcome.

jobbingmusician

First bit of advice - APPEAL IF DENIED.

It does seem to me that the powers that be are refusing virtually all applications, then allowing a good percentage on appeal.

Have you had any help in completing your DLA forms? Help is available in some boroughs, and is invaluable whatever your level of education - DLA applications have their own obscure language.

FleurDuLys

Do you wear shoe inserts to help correct your flat feet? I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and was referred to have custom-made orthotics for my shoes, they corrected the flatness and made a world of difference to the amount of foot and leg pain that I was getting.

krypton_the_slayer

The only people I can think of who can help me are the CAB - though they are pretty much swamped - I live in a very deprived area. Who else helps with DLA applications?
Yes I do wear custom orthotics, they do help but sadly I got them far too late in life to help correct over-pronation.

spherelance

krypton_the_slayer wrote: »

The only people I can think of who can help me are the CAB - though they are pretty much swamped - I live in a very deprived area. Who else helps with DLA applications?
Yes I do wear custom orthotics, they do help but sadly I got them far too late in life to help correct over-pronation.

Your GP surgery might be able to point you in the direction of other agencies that could help with regards DLA forms.

Since you mention mental health problems Mind and Rethink might also be able to help (or point you towards somewhere that can).

mary-op

Lady from Ageuk helped me with mine..........don't think you need to be a pensioner to ask them. She was very helpful. hth:)