Ankylosing Spondilitis (AS) any help?

GhostHunter_3

Hi

I have just had my diagnosis of Ankilosing Spondilitis (AS for short) confirmed after suffering for over 10 years with the condition.

Im only asking for advice on the subject, not because I see t as a way to stay at home all day or a chance of a few more £ (but every penny would help I admit).

Can anyone tell me if I would be entitled to any benefit help or other help, not sure if I am classed as disability?

Can I get help with motability and other equipment as some simple tasks I find difficult. I still have notpassed my driving test as after a few hours practice behind the wheel I need 2 days rest to prevent a 'flare up'!

My husband spends a lot of time doing things for me, not really caring for me physically but running around doing housework and DIY etc. Hes had to put up with my moas and pain and depressions and always stuck by me :T I try to do as much s I can but as the years grind on I have found my tollerance level of the symptoms are decreasing rapidly and I cannot do as much as I used to in 1 go!

I am having difficulty finding employment due to the condition and wondered what my employment rights were?

I am not wanting to sit at home moping, just seeingmy husband go off to work (he's self employed AND has an employed job) 12 hours a day makes me feel guilty that I'm not bringing home any money other than orking Tax Credits.

I would be more than happy to work from home or do small rounds of 'Kleeneze' or 'Betterware' if I could guarantee a good income for the effort and outlay (if required). Or dog sitting / day care.

Does anyone know where I can get advise and support on AS so far I have just found 'American' based sites (which is good but it would be nice to find local and UK support as well)?

Thanks

wiggy747

hi
you should make a claim for disability living allowance,ther are two components to this benefit-care and mobility,3 rates for each.you should be able to obtain a claim pack from your local jobcentreplus.when completing the form make sure you write down how your illness effect you,including even little things.they will prob write to your doctors for further info (normal procedure).hope this helps

GhostHunter_3

Hi

Yes it does help thanks.

As its newly diagnosed will they ask me for a medical?

I have an idea of what is to come as the years go by but its mainly as you saidthe little things I cannot do at the moment like personal care etc, unless I have a 'flare up' where more general tasks are impossible.

I coul really do with passing my driving test somehow as this would give me the freedom to not having to wait for my husband or motherinlaw to have the spare time to take me places I need to get to (dont get me wrong I am more than patient and sympathetic to their busy lifestyles and their own needs and timetables) at present I feel housebound as I even do the shopping online each week.
However as I mentioned driving is a difficult task but not impossible. As with a lot of tasks I clamp my teeth, bear the pain and get on with life as normally as anyone else would but ususally only to suffer at a later time!


Any suggestions?

Thanks

GH

:eek:



Happy Easter! hope the bunny brings lots of chocolate eggs (no wonder children are confused these days! How do you answer the question of where does a chocolate egg come from if you cant work out which came first (chicken or egg) yet?)

wiggy747

hi
glad that helped,i dont know of anywhere to help you with car test.however if you were to be awarded DLA (mobility) at a middle or higher rate you can go on their car scheme,this is where you use your award towards the hire of a new car.
i dont think you would be referred for a medical on a new claim i think they would probably just grt ifo from your doctor

wolfehouse

ask for an occupational therapy assessment from you local social services office. there is usually a huge waiting list and more than a year is not unheard of but you are entitled to it by law. The OT should be able to help assess if there are any gadgets or equipment that can help you in your activities of daily living. some of these they can provide free depending on where you live.

when you apply for dla please get some help (from social services welfare officers or from citizens advice) to fill out the application as they will know what is being looked for. you need to put how it effects your life on your worst days and even then be ready to appeal later. this is payable only after 3 months of having the condition at the level you do now. dla is not means tested and does not count as 'income' and you can get it and still work. with it comes some other priveleges like automatic blue badge and extra payments when on certain benefits.

if you get awarded high rate mobility you are automatically entitled to lease a car from the motability scheme - and with this scheme are driving lessons if you are on benefits or between 16-24.
you can look it up on the web here
http://www.motability.co.uk/

volorg

Hi, in terms of perhaps looking at work options, Access to Work can help you to identify aids that you would need to enable to undertake certain jobs. I have found them incredibly helpful. These adjustments are usually free to the employer if implemented in the first 6 weeks of work.

See https://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/HelpForDisabledPeople/AccesstoWork/
for more information.
Good luck!

jessie-jane

Hi, this is my first post, so please forgive me if this is in the wrong place, but have you tried a site called ;

https://www.as-assist.com

I also have AS and have found this site very helpful.

bye for now

shameless-about-money

wiggy747 wrote: »

hi
glad that helped,i dont know of anywhere to help you with car test.however if you were to be awarded DLA (mobility) at a middle or higher rate you can go on their car scheme,this is where you use your award towards the hire of a new car.
i dont think you would be referred for a medical on a new claim i think they would probably just grt ifo from your doctor

DLA mobility has TWO rates not one!

You must have the higher rate for a motability vehicle.

Yes, they do do medicals for new claims.

shameless-about-money

wiggy747 wrote: »

hi
you should make a claim for disability living allowance,ther are two components to this benefit-care and mobility,3 rates for each.you should be able to obtain a claim pack from your local jobcentreplus.when completing the form make sure you write down how your illness effect you,including even little things.they will prob write to your doctors for further info (normal procedure).hope this helps

THREE rates for care

TWO rates for mobility