MSE News: Disability and carer's allowance claimaints to suffer as inflation falls

happyandcontented

I had counselling for panic attacks and it really helped me.

rogerblack

FBaby wrote: »

And that is the same old justification that comes up everytime. Are you aware that all the above would also very much apply to none disabled people? Those who are stressed, exhausted, who have to handled many different responsibilities and deserve a break....but can't afford it? Why are they less deserving of luxuries?

People can in general walk out their front door, and find some social activity to do in the local area.
Or get to it easily on public transport.

For those that can't - it's very easy to become disconnected completely from society, become iller and require far more treatment than would otherwise be the case due to declining health.

FBaby

rogerblack wrote: »

People can in general walk out their front door, and find some social activity to do in the local area.
Or get to it easily on public transport.

For those that can't - it's very easy to become disconnected completely from society, become iller and require far more treatment than would otherwise be the case due to declining health.

So the only difference is potentially getting transport to the local social activity, that is for those who can't use public transport? As I said before, I don't have any issue with such people getting help to get to these activities and DLA money could be better used providing a discounted taxi service for instance, very much like disabled people are entitled to free transport to access NHS services.

bloolagoon

dori2o wrote: »

You are aware that for some disabled people days out, short holidays, socialising, interacting online, going out with friends once in a while, enjoying a luxury just for them could actually be beneficial and therapeutic, and therefore form part of their 'additional costs'?

Last year my counsellor actually demanded that I book a short break. he helped me organise it, and although it was only 4 nights it dramatically reduced the stress and vastly improved my mood, and IMO prevented me from slipping further down the spiral.

Additional costs are not restricted to mobility equipment, costs of employing a carer, treatment costs, transport costs, medications etc etc.

If you believe that it should be restricted to those costs then you are a very narrow minded individual.

You are aware that the same things you need nearly every person in the country does to PREVENT poor mental health. Everyone deserves some rest, a break and time off. This is just as important for those with high levels of stress who don't yet claim disability as those with a diagnosis. Prevention is better than cure.

It's not an I'm disabled so I deserve it more than joe working full time. Everyone needs it.

I get so frustrated at threads like this where it's "all disabled are poor, not able to work, severely disabled, poor quality of life and doomed for life never to change". Then the "would you swap for my disability". There are many facets to life without one shape fitting all.

I personally see both sides. Those who work very hard whose disposable income has been eroded by no pay rises, higher commuting costs, forced to work very long hours who must wonder why they do when there's nothing left to enjoy life. Then those whose minds or bodies trap them in their own cycle of despair and the stereo type and yes some hatred of their situation happens.

Many not classed as disabled will pay for physio, have medical appointments, transport costs (they need a car for work but wages don't cover it). Why the us v them constantly?

bloolagoon

rogerblack wrote: »

People can in general walk out their front door, and find some social activity to do in the local area.
Or get to it easily on public transport.

For those that can't - it's very easy to become disconnected completely from society, become iller and require far more treatment than would otherwise be the case due to declining health.

True but you are then suggesting that every able bodied can do that. After a long day, long commute, chores that need doing, childcare, children's homework and many other factors there will be a percentage who are denied that even if they could afford it,

Your posts is what I was referring to with the them v us. They have barriers too but because they are not your barriers you don't see them.

fed_up_and_stressed

bloolagoon wrote: »

True but you are then suggesting that every able bodied can do that. After a long day, long commute, chores that need doing, childcare, children's homework and many other factors there will be a percentage who are denied that even if they could afford it,

Your posts is what I was referring to with the them v us. They have barriers too but because they are not your barriers you don't see them.

But the point is disabled people may have barriers higher than non disabled e.g there is a theory (more like a model) referred to as spoon theory

the difference in being sick and being healthy is having to make choices or to consciously think about things when the rest of the world doesn’t have to. The healthy have the luxury of a life without choices, a gift most people take for granted.

Most people start the day with unlimited amount of possibilities, and energy to do whatever they desire, especially young people. For the most part, they do not need to worry about the effects of their actions. Disabled people who are suffering overwhelming fatigue may max out their energy level (their spoons) doing things that others take for granted e.g having a shower, getting out of bed leaving no energy left for "enjoyable activities" or day to day activities.

For example there is no way I can go to the supermarket and get a family shop. My energy "spoons" are used up by completing activities of daily living e.g getting up and dressed. As such my PiP will pay for me to have my shopping delivered. Personally I would love to be able to amble around a shop ..but its not going to happen so the money that the green eyed monster is eyeing up seeing as free money (I pay my taxes by the way) is actually being used to put me as an equal to a non disabled. I.e enabling me to get groceries.

These conversations are generally only started by non disabled people bangging on about "free shiny cars" when they have no concept of the bad bits e.g the pain, fatigue, loss of independence that "enables" a person to get this.

This is why it is said that by people such as me that i'd happily give back my motability car if they took my disability with it.

fed_up_and_stressed

FBaby wrote: »

So the only difference is potentially getting transport to the local social activity, that is for those who can't use public transport? As I said before, I don't have any issue with such people getting help to get to these activities and DLA money could be better used providing a discounted taxi service for instance, very much like disabled people are entitled to free transport to access NHS services.

Not everyone is able to use public transport due to their disabilities which is why their is a choice with higher rate mobility to use this towards a vehicle or to use it in another way e.g taxi's etc.

Indie_Kid

FBaby wrote: »

very much like disabled people are entitled to free transport to access NHS services.

I must be missing something here. According to the leaftlet I got with my appointment letter, there's also other criteria to meet. And then there's the waiting around to be picked up, etc. Some of us simply don't have the energy to wait around that long.

For those that can't - it's very easy to become disconnected completely from society, become iller and require far more treatment than would otherwise be the case due to declining health.

This is pretty much what happened me. I then joinined a few groups, one of which was an 80 mile round trip. I was then informed there's a group which is slightly closer to me. Someone then set up a group in my area. I attended that for a bit and got into the situation where I couldn't cope at the group because of how many people were there. The group was free of charge and so was the transport. (or rather, I got a lift) I currently attend the second group, which costs me about £12 a week to attend.

Many not classed as disabled will pay for physio, have medical appointments, transport costs (they need a car for work but wages don't cover it). Why the us v them constantly?

In general, a non disabled person won't have that many medical appointments though. I've lost count now; but by about March this year, I was already into double figures for medical appointments.

fed_up_and_stressed

Indie_Kid wrote: »

I must be missing something here. According to the leaftlet I got with my appointment letter, there's also other criteria to meet. And then there's the waiting around to be picked up, etc. Some of us simply don't have the energy to wait around that long.


In general, a non disabled person won't have that many medical appointments though. I've lost count now; but by about March this year, I was already into double figures for medical appointments.

Indie Kid I think FBaby was referring to the Healthcare Travel Costs scheme .... fbaby this is not a service for disabled people ..it is for people on low income who may or may not be disabled.

Yes I would say statisically being disabled we will have more medical appoitments than non disabled people (and guess what my PIp may pay part of the costs for my wheelchair accessible vehicle to take me to the hospital but I have to pay for parking when I get there (not covered)

Indie_Kid

fed_up_and_stressed wrote: »

Indie Kid I think FBaby was referring to the Healthcare Travel Costs scheme .... fbaby this is not a service for disabled people ..it is for people on low income who may or may not be disabled.

Yes I would say statisically being disabled we will have more medical appoitments than non disabled people (and guess what my PIp may pay part of the costs for my wheelchair accessible vehicle to take me to the hospital but I have to pay for parking when I get there (not covered)

I was told that they'd only pay bus fare (mine is free and I have no idea if they'd pay mums) because of how expensive parking is.