Glos Guy – I’m fast approaching the point of not being able to get to work independently, I already have a carer who wheels me over to work, helps set up, gets me settled and then goes back to the car and waits until I have finished when he comes and collects me again for the majority of my shifts. The few remaining shifts where I don’t have that cover are becoming an issue though despite my employer really thinking out of the box to try to overcome the challenges, we’ve sorted one shift where my youngest son drops me literally to the door and then picks me up later which leaves two shifts which are troublesome. I’m fast coming to the conclusion that my working days may well be coming to an end, even on the limited hours I do now it is having a really awful impact on the progress of my conditions and ultimately, what I am able to do and it feels like I am hanging on by my finger tips to the little I can actually do for myself, including talking (if I push too much, I not only lose the use and control of my limbs but also my speech). As for Motability, I do plan to have another word with them but with the delays in vehicles arriving, I could well be getting close to or actually have less than a year until my PIP review and despite my limitations and future prognosis, I don’t really want to take it for granted and assume that another award will be given.
Hi Sue. I’m so sorry to hear about your challenges. I am full of admiration for your attitude though. You clearly are a fighter and determined to ‘keep going’, especially when it comes to work, rather than roll over and give in. There comes a point though when you have to listen to your body and focus on your safety. Only you will know when that is.
As for your PIP entitlement, it very much sounds as though you would qualify again at your assessment. As we know, many who should qualify don’t. I happen to believe that this is often down to the poor quality of their written application rather than, as some suggest, some master plan of an evil government to deprive disabled people of their benefits. My wife is very bright, but was overwhelmed with the PIP application process and handed it to me! I researched it all to death and purchased the invaluable ‘Disability Rights Handbook’ from Disability Rights U.K. I was working at the time so only had the evenings to complete the application, but it took me a full week to complete it to a level of thoroughness that would have made a rejection near impossible.
The key thing (especially if you have a condition that has good and bad days, such as MS) is to answer all questions referring to the worst of your bad days. That’s perfectly legitimate. Even if you can walk the critical distance that is the show stopper for higher rate mobility (can’t remember what it is, but it’s very short), if there is any chance that you might stumble or fall then you cannot walk that distance safely and should answer so.
Even though my wife was granted the maximum PIP award for both daily living and Mobility, it was for around 3 years. Most would be OK with that, but I asked for a Mandatory Reconsideration. My argument was that unless they knew of any new medical evidence to suggest that my wife’s condition would improve (when factually it never does – it only gets worse), she should not be subjected to the stress and anxiety of going through the process again in 3 years time. This was successful and it was revised to an indefinite award.
There are various charitable organisations that will help with PIP applications, but the quality varies. The husband of someone who used to work for me used one of them and was unsuccessful. As a result I helped them and the second time he was successful. So I think the key is to research thoroughly, ask for assistance with the application if needed and challenge a poor decision. Good luck with it.