So only having one leg means not disabled...

littlemonkeywolf

So confused and wondering if anyone can help me out to help my dad out. So as the title says my dad lost his leg above the knee about 7 years ago due to an accident at work. Originally it was ok as was getting driving allowance etc. But then he got classed as ' not disabled' and lost his car. He has now had to go to the medical interview and has not scored points therefore losing that allowance as well.

So where do I go from here to help him. He owns his own house and is slowly doing it up to meet his needs and to replace the bashed up doors from the wheelchair. He has only ever worked in maintance physical roles therefore since the accident has been unable to work. He doesnt even know how to turn a computer on

SO really any advice at all would be good. If there is any thing i can do to help him at least get some kind of help as its all gone quiet and now going to receive less than did. :mad:

VfM4meplse

I am more than a bit surprised by this. Anyone with half a brain knows that managing with a prosthetic leg, particularly above the knee is difficult. Was the assessor not aware of your father's gait? Do they have no sense of how heavy a limb is and what that means for mobility? Is it not obvious why he is in a wheelchair?

I really have a lot of sympathy with your father OP, he is a very brave man indeed and should be commended with trying to get on with his life despite this setback. It's a difficult situation to be in and your father deserves to be as mobile as the next person.

kara7758

Has your dad approach something like CAB or organisations like DIAL link: http://www.dialuk.info/about.asp. He or you need to speak with someone and get help to appeal the decisions made so far. Hope things get better for him.

Folar

I am appalled at this littlemonkeywolf. That's so disgusting and unfair. You can appeal the decision but before you do phone up and request a copy of his medical report and also ask for a statement of reasons for why he has not been scored high enough for disability. Then take that to the CAB or DIAL and go through it all pointing out the errors.

Good luck.

littlemonkeywolf

Thank you for all your advice..It really is appriciated. I shall definatly look into DIAL etc and try and re instate disability Living allowance as if you do the online tests it says he should be entitled to it. I have told him to dig out all his paperwork and let battle commence as he just goes with what they say so looks like I shall have to encourage him to fight his battle.
Thank you once again.

minnie123

I don't know anything about the benefits side but I do have a relation with 1 leg - my grandad lost his leg above the knee when he was in his late 40's in a motorbike accident. I just wondered if your Dad could do more stuff to help himself now - how come he is wheelchair bound? My Grandad managed to walk with a prosthetic limb and still does (with the use of a zimmer frame the last 2 years) and he is nearly 90. He also used to go swimming twice a week when he was still fit as keeping the other leg strong really helps. My Grandad never claimed any sort of disability benefit they said he could work and was not entitled to anything (and he did work) all he got was a disabled badge.

Parva

That's shocking treatment indeed. I too have lost a leg (the whole leg and part of my pelvis in my case) and I can truly sympathise with your dad's problems. I even refused the prosthetic as it was so damned cumbersome and heavy. As the other posters have suggested, get in touch with DIAL. I personally have not yet had the need to do so but my mum has and she would be in bad way if it weren't for all the help they offered to help sort her financial problems.

littlemonkeywolf

minnie123 wrote: »

I don't know anything about the benefits side but I do have a relation with 1 leg - my grandad lost his leg above the knee when he was in his late 40's in a motorbike accident. I just wondered if your Dad could do more stuff to help himself now - how come he is wheelchair bound? My Grandad managed to walk with a prosthetic limb and still does (with the use of a zimmer frame the last 2 years) and he is nearly 90. He also used to go swimming twice a week when he was still fit as keeping the other leg strong really helps. My Grandad never claimed any sort of disability benefit they said he could work and was not entitled to anything (and he did work) all he got was a disabled badge.

Dont get me wrong he will use the prosthetic leg when out and about, but at home much more comfortable with out it. (and living alone is much safer in the chair for daily activities he says) So isnt wheelchair bound as such. He has only ever done physical jobs requring climbing and lifting etc which now he can not do therefore does not know anything else and is now coming up to retirement age also that will impact any job hope for him sadly- id love to see him back at work and out and about but alas it isnt that simple..

kingfisherblue

minnie123 wrote: »

I don't know anything about the benefits side but I do have a relation with 1 leg - my grandad lost his leg above the knee when he was in his late 40's in a motorbike accident. I just wondered if your Dad could do more stuff to help himself now - how come he is wheelchair bound? My Grandad managed to walk with a prosthetic limb and still does (with the use of a zimmer frame the last 2 years) and he is nearly 90. He also used to go swimming twice a week when he was still fit as keeping the other leg strong really helps. My Grandad never claimed any sort of disability benefit they said he could work and was not entitled to anything (and he did work) all he got was a disabled badge.

I know a man in his 60s. He had his leg amputated when he was seven years old. Although he uses a prosthetic leg, there are times when he cannot.

OP, the man that I mentioned in the above paragraph works for B&Q, who seem to be quite good with older employees. Your dad may be in a position to offer good advice regarding building, plumbing, etc. The man I know works in the plumbing department, as that is what he trained as when he was a young man.

dave030445

is this for DLA or ESA

Anubis_2

My FIL is a double amputee above the knee on both legs. He does get DLA but also has other issues (deaf/blind/heart)

He does sometimes walk with both prosthetic legs and a zimmer, but also has to use a wheelchair when out and in the house.

The prosthetics are not the be all and end all, for some it is difficult. I would fight this, there are bound to be times when he needs help with mobility issues.