Esa mobilising question

mandyboops1973

Hi

So i have received my 1st new esa50 since the option to use wheelchairs was introduced.

I already have mobility problems meaning i can not walk unaided which i have plenty of medical evidence however my issue is with the new mobilizing using a wheel chair.

Ive never used a wheel chair in my life, however i broke my wrist ironically at the job center a few months back. and although the bone has healed it is still extremely painful to move and grip things.

Is mobilizing using a wheel chair based on the ability to use both hands? there is no way i could roll a wheel chair with my wrist as it is now, i am just wondering if you would be accessed using just one hand? my friend told me that you need two hands to turn a wheel chair around because you have to turn one wheel one way and the other wheel another to turn, im not sure what she means by that but just after your thoughts/

HB58

If you have only one hand to use a manual wheelchair you would just go round in circles!

mandyboops1973

HB58 wrote: »

If you have only one hand to use a manual wheelchair you would just go round in circles!

lol really? im not sure i would be strong enough to move one with one hand either. I just know what atos are like it would not surprise me if they say i should use one hand.

Riz-1981

This will probably apply to me has well. I can't walk unaided too. I also have arm injuries from a RTA too.

They'll probably get us to use a button controlled wheelchair :eek: without considering we may have back and hip problems to so need to walk a little now and again.

rogerblack

The 'virtual wheelchair' can be considered only if it's reasonable.
If you have a broken wrist, then no, it's not reasonable, you should point out this in large print.

If you have some condition that makes breaking bones more likely such that it's unsafe to use the chair, or causes pain with the effort to use a wheelchair, or it would be a health risk - again, it's not reasonable.

mandyboops1973

Thank you all for the replies some very helpful points have been made.

My consultant can not yet give a accurate prognosis at this moment in time and has booked me in to see him in 6months for an update.

My wrist has healed well so far but it is still very much painful, i can only pick up light objects, i have not used a wheel chair before but i would imagine it would require a decent amount of force to move it? im not sure how easy the roll etc.i guess i need to have a test ride in one but i really don't think i could push myself with my wrist as it is now, put it this way i can't pull down the door handle on the doors in my house or even open my front door with the keys with this wrist, im having to use my left hand for everything at the moment.

You also make another good point regarding stopping a wheel chair i think that would require alot more force aswell.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Under the pre Harrington adjustments the descriptor used the phrase "level ground" the descriptors now in use have conveniently [STRIKE]redacted[/STRIKE] omitted that critical and helpful [to claimants] phrase. The new test therefore invites the test for reasonableness as being able to repeatedly mobilise including conditions of undulating ground and in/de/clines.

It seems clearly self evident to me, that the chance of becoming more exhausted, more quickly, increase the more up / down / alternating the conditions become.

rogerblack .. .. CE/1516/2012 is two years younger, and para 39 gives a little [not a lot] more clarity of the either / or question.

Cpt.Scarlet

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Under the pre Harrington adjustments the descriptor used the phrase "level ground" the descriptors now in use have conveniently [STRIKE]redacted[/STRIKE] omitted that critical and helpful [to claimants] phrase. The new test therefore invites the test for reasonableness as being able to repeatedly mobilise including conditions of undulating ground and in/de/clines.

It seems clearly self evident to me, that the chance of becoming more exhausted, more quickly, increase the more up / down / alternating the conditions become.

rogerblack .. .. CE/1516/2012 is two years younger, and para 39 gives a little [not a lot] more clarity of the either / or question.

?????????????????????????

Old ESA descriptor

Cannot walk more than 50 metres on level ground without repeatedly stopping or severe discomfort.

Current ESA descriptor

　
Cannot either
(i) mobilise more than 50 metres on level ground without stopping in order to avoid significant discomfort or exhaustion

or

(ii) repeatably mobilise 50 metres within a reasonable timescale because of significant discomfort or exhaustion

Richie. You seem to be putting forward the interpretation of this descriptor by one WRO on RightNet as fact, when, if memory serves me correctly, no one else actually agreed with them.