Dla doctor

[Taz]

Well after over 5 months the dls finally got round to sending me a doctor!
Well she was very nice to me and explained a lot things to me, like they had diagnosed me with cronic fatigue and forgot to tell me!
but anyway I still have another month at least untill I hear anything aboput my benefits!
Now the doctor was wonderful as it was obvious I was nervous lol!! She was very understanding so anyone else who has to have the dla doctor out don't worry they really are quite nice and from my experience they are here to help!
Taz xxxxxxxxxxxx

[gem]

well let us know how you get on... was it for a review/check up?
i had terible trouble getting my dla, it was a while ago now though. If anyone has any other experiences you should post ere.

[PurplySparkleyJoey]

I'v got my fingers crossed for you petal, i dont see why you shouldnt get Higher mobility/middle care .. just as long as your doctors are good and you layed it on as thick as possible you will be fine!!
Gem, what problems did you have getting it? I thought it was only people who didnt have well recognised disabilitys that couldnt get it?? ie. people with an illness like canser rather than a disability like CP??

Lots of love and hugs,
Jo xx

[freewheeler]

I've had laods of trouble with my DLA claim. Mainly I think because none of the G.Ps I've seen belived in M.E or believe that it's physical and not "just all in the head".

The D.W.P (Dept. of Work and Pensions, i.e the agency that deals with DLA) took full advantage of my lack of diagnosis, and (in a nutshell) have tried to make out that I'm a faker.
The Doc. from the DWP (yunno the one that comes to see you at home) was really bad. He was pushy, rude and didn't let me finish a sentence (yeh, I do often talk a lot, but what with M.E having over 30 symptoms there's a lot to say/describe).
He also LIED in his report. He said that he had seen me walk 250 metres with a normal gait (i.e without stooping, limping etc.) and without stopping, without pain and without assistance from people/crutches/rails etc. This was a lie. He had seen me walk 3 metres at most.

He also got me to sign statements which I was not allowed to read (he insisted on reading them out to me). When I finally did see them, and read them, I realised that what he had said, and what he had written (and got me to sign) were two completely different things
So I've "agreed" to statements saying that I have very little pain, need very little assistance etc. etc.

Finally I had a dud solicitor. She never answered the phone, never returned calls/e-mails until it was too late. She also made statements about my condition which were a load of bollox (suggesting I needed someone sitting with me every minute of every day or else I'd be dead (huh???!!) and sent them off to the DWP without me ven knowing what the statement/s said, and without my consent.

So after all this, and a GP who beleives that the name of an M.E specialist is a psychiatrist (*&%?!!£$!) NO WONDER I got refused DLA !

Well, I've learnt a lot by my (and others) mistakes. My next claim will be much better researched (yes, research, that's how hard it can be to get what's rightfully yours....no wonder I'm a bit if an anarchist lol!).
I will be prepared. I will have back up. And I will keep going till I WIN (or die trying )

DON'T LET THE B.ASTARDS GRIND YOU DOWN! DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!

[PurplySparkleyJoey]

The harder you fight the more likaly they are to give you what your aloud .. and just think of the back pay when you do get it ;-)

The milky bars are on you!!!!

[freewheeler]

How true Jo, how true.

Yup, the louder you shout, and the harder you fight...
But, the thing is. The more ill you are, the harder is is to fight for your rights.

i.e the more you need DLA, the harder it is (made) to get it, huh . I'm sure the D.W.P (ppl. that dish out the DLA) know this, and use it to keep down the cost. Disgusting, don't you think?

Well, despite all this. Despite the fact that most days it's beyond me to do much more than dress myself, wash and sit upright etc., I DID keep up the fight, and I DID (finally!) win my case (at appeal stage, grrrr!)

Mmmmmmnn. Better late than never, eh?

And, yeh, all that back pay will come in handy.(a year, or a year and a half I think. I got higer mobility, and lower care. Should have been higher for both, but hey, I'll get it next time, i.e at the review in Dec 03).

I'm planning to get a VCR (at last! All those missed progs, coz I'm too ill to stay up and watch them when they "go out"), and get Peps (my cat) vaccinated. Also, buy a few presents for those that have helped me along the way.

And, the rest will probably go on a new (right size!), decent, manual w/chair.

Can anyone reccomend a good manual w/ch co.? (either manufacturer, and/or retailer) I live in London, U.K. I'm interested in new and (pref.2nd hand).

[Taz]

Well I got my DLA! and nice bit of back pay which paid off all my debt's thank god! I thought I was gonna get in to so much debt I would never pay it off!
I also got an appointment with the rhuematoloigist after a 6 mounth wait!
But I've been in hospital having an operation on my ear so I'm sorry I aint been about
love Taz

[Fraggle]

I think I had the same dla doctor as Freewheeler I did end up getting low rate care in the end at an appeal tribunal thingy because they decided that I didn't leave the house enough to get any mobility.

When it was time to renew my claim I finally got high rate mobility, but still only low rate care. The low rate care was because I was asleep too much to need much care, completely ignoring the fact that I have NEVER been left alone even for a few hours for over four years now.

My new application form arrived last week. My Mum is dreading filling it in for me. *sigh* it won't be long before I get to see the "lovely" dla doc again

[Taz]

I'm very sure I was lucky with my DLA doc as it was the same one who came to see my parents and I sat there telling the doc all the things my dad finds embarressing *bless him*.
So she was ok when she saw me I was just getting out of bed and she saw how little I could do compared to when she saw my parents!
But I know I'm lucky as I've had to go to a hearing for a dad when they said he couldnt get anything and hes so ill it was unreal they could say that!
there are so many people who have the trauma of this its so not fair and the people who dont even need it or deserve it get it easy! omg the forms we get its awful I have a nervous breakdown when it comes to it!
Taz xxx

[freewheeler]

Those bloomin forms, ugh (frowns). BTW is there a smiley for frowns??.

Anyway, those forms. Yeh, they're a real pain up the bum to read, let alone fill in. Especially if you have a condition that varies a lot, like M.E/cFS etc.

But there is help, to fill them in that is. I know of a couple of really good guides (detailled too, cos they need to be don't they?!) that are either cheap, or free.
They're avaliable from "Action for M.E" and "AYME" (Assoc. for young people with ME).

I'll find the details, and post them in a seperate thread in the next few days, o.k?

Gotta go now, E-enders is starting. Yes! (I know, it's sad, but, that's life, my life anyhow LOL!)

Take care,

freewheeler