claiming DLA but no doctor's reports

jackieb

GlasweJen wrote: »

Is your daughter still at school? A letter outlining problems at school would be a start.

Yes she is. She's staying on until the 6th year - she's still in 4th just now. She misses about a third of school due to her bowel problems - but considering she's missed so much school she does not too badly - she's pretty clever. She also sees the school psychologist every couple of months and they do give her help - like she got to drop PE a couple of years ago as she was uncomfortable doing it (bowel issues and co-ordination problems). She gets to do her exams away from everyone else as she doesn't like crowds (she's sitting her prelims there just now - she actually got to eat toast and drink coffee during one exam!) She got to drop a couple of classes so she could concentrate on doing her homework (she's very disorganised so she gets to do it in school) and she also gets extra help with her maths. She also gets to register in the morning in a quiet room as she didn't like walking in the crowded corridors. I also have permission to drive into school grounds to pick her up and drop her off. She rarely stays at school for lunch, but when she has no choice (ie, i'm working) she's been told that she should just go to her register class/quiet room and tell them what sandwich she wants and they'll get it and keep it in the fridge for her - as it turned out she wasn't having anything to eat as she wouldn't go to the canteen.

So the school is quite accomodating to her.

GlasweJen

Is she mainstream? If she can manage her own toilet needs (clean up, change herself etc) then it won't be counted as a care need. Same with the night time care, if she is capable of doing her own laundry then it isn't a care need.

The co ordination problems and her needing support when out and about seem to be her key issues in terms of DLA.

And yes you can get pull ups from the local council and you can self refer. I get mine delivered once a week and they also collect the used ones as they are classed as medical waste. Some families get their bedding collected, washed and delivered in this area.

rogerblack

GlasweJen wrote: »

Is she mainstream? If she can manage her own toilet needs (clean up, change herself etc) then it won't be counted as a care need. Same with the night time care, if she is capable of doing her own laundry then it isn't a care need.

Unless she is 'so disturbed mentally as to neglect personal hygiene.' - if she will not wash after this happens, risking skin damage and infections.

If she will clean the bed herself, if it's not done for her, and clean herself, there is little or no argument for DLA care for this.

I am unsure if it's possible to request a reduction in water rates without DLA.
I know it's possible with DLA, if the condition causes you to use more water. (and you're on a meter)

jackieb

rogerblack wrote: »

Unless she is 'so disturbed mentally as to neglect personal hygiene.' - if she will not wash after this happens, risking skin damage and infections.

If she will clean the bed herself, if it's not done for her, and clean herself, there is little or no argument for DLA care for this.

I am unsure if it's possible to request a reduction in water rates without DLA.
I know it's possible with DLA, if the condition causes you to use more water. (and you're on a meter)

We're in Scotland so no meters.

She washes and showers herself but needs prompting. I have to give her Movicol for helping with the constipation, otherwise she wouldn't bother. She doesn't clean the bed herself. If there are no clean clothes laid out for her she'll go around wrapped in a towel or a dressing gown until I get them for her. She wouldn't think of looking for something to wear herself. If I don't catch her she'll dump the stinky sheets on the floor and just sleep on top of the bare mattress cover. She wouldn't know where to start with a washing machine and it's not for the want of trying. She just dumps her dirty washing and pants in the bath (no-one ever has a bath, we only use the shower) and even though I leave out bags for her to put her pull ups in, she doesn't and it's me who has to. Believe me when i've tried to get her to help herself more and even take her washing down to the washer, but it seems to go in one ear and out the other.

jackieb

GlasweJen wrote: »

Is she mainstream? If she can manage her own toilet needs (clean up, change herself etc) then it won't be counted as a care need. Same with the night time care, if she is capable of doing her own laundry then it isn't a care need.

The co ordination problems and her needing support when out and about seem to be her key issues in terms of DLA.

And yes you can get pull ups from the local council and you can self refer. I get mine delivered once a week and they also collect the used ones as they are classed as medical waste. Some families get their bedding collected, washed and delivered in this area.

A few months ago our council said that they'd only pick up one wheelie bin per household (we had 2, bought one ourselves), but we managed to get permission to have a second bin because of my daughter (they took away one bin we already had and replaced it with one with a purple lid!)

I also bought a big capacity washer (11kg) because of all the washing I have to do.

pmlindyloo

I really do not think it is helpful to keep quoting various bits and bobs to 'persuade' the OP's daughter not to apply for DLA.

We do not know her daughter and the difficulties she has.

I am sure the OP can google 'DLA eligibility criteria' and find out things for herself.

It is the right of the OP's daughter to apply for DLA.

I am sure she is perfectly aware that it is not an easy procedure but this should not put her off trying.

Getting help to complete the form is vital.

GlasweJen

Jackie, are you in Glasgow city? If not where in Scotland are you?

Torry_Quine

GlasweJen wrote: »

Jackie, are you in Glasgow city? If not where in Scotland are you?

She's in the N/East.

24skins

Continence service on N/East is based at Inverurie Hospital and you can self-refer; number is 01467 672748.

jackieb

GlasweJen wrote: »

Jackie, are you in Glasgow city? If not where in Scotland are you?

Torry_Quine wrote: »

She's in the N/East.

24skins wrote: »

Continence service on N/East is based at Inverurie Hospital and you can self-refer; number is 01467 672748.

Torry Quine is right.

Thanks for that 24skins.

It's difficult to talk to people about my daughter as well when she's sitting there. She's at a sensitive age and i'm sure it must be embarrassing to have us talking about her - we (doctors, head of year, school psychologist, etc) always try to involve her but she just stares at her feet and doesn't answer any questions.

She's a really clever girl, but to some people it would appear that she's not. Of course i'd much rather have her better (believe it or not, the bowel problems have actually improved from what they were years ago, but it's still problematic) but it's went on for so long I think I should claim. If she improved so much that she was much better then i'd have no hesitation in telling the DWP - i'd rather have her better than have the money.

Hopefully the bowel problem will continue to improve ( we were told that if someone has had this problem for 5 years, it takes 5 years for the colon to shrink back to normal - she's had this since she was a toddler), and now she's about to start a social skills group, so fingers crossed this will all help.