BENEFITS, TEARS & DEPRESSION!!

 

8 Days to DBS

Firstly I want to Thank all my family & friends for respecting my request for no jokes about the circular bumps I may have in my forhead after surgery ………………………………..

NOT!! YOU LOAD OF PISS TAKING B******S

You offered Fridge magnets, Horns, hooks, light bulbs OR wear a wig, grow what you’ve got and have a comb over and various hat options!!

When I realised resistance to the Piss taking was feutile I came up with one myself. My new fancy dress costume for the next 20 years

 

So, I start looking into the Benefit system and what I should/could be entitled to. I don’t want to bore you with everything I had to do I would prefer to concentrate on the main benefit to people with this condition.

DLA – Disability Living Allowance

I was advised this was the main benefit I would be entitled to so begin the process. I requested the claim document from the benefits service and subsequently received the (BOOK!!) sorry form through the post. PARTS 1-32

I am not going to discuss every part/section; I will just mention a few. They want to know about you and your condition and your medication. Then it goes into parts about Walking Outdoors, moving about indoors, toilet and washing needs, mental health, communicating with people, MORE about your illness and disabilities and how they affect you.

For a first time claimant the form is frightening and I am going to give you the most important piece of advice I can:

DO NOT COMPLETE THE FORM ON YOUR OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPEAK TO A BENEFITS ADVISOR (IN MY CASE AT PARKINSONS UK) THEY KNOW WHAT IS REQUIRED AND THE CORRECT WAY TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

I did complete the form on my own because I wasn’t aware of the help available. I did it to the best of my ability, thoroughly and honestly and guess what, yes it was rejected!

I had to appeal against the decision and was asked to attend an Appeals Hearing. All this was taking time and was really getting me down.  It was around this time when not only had I got this to worry about the whole effect of Parkinson’s was draining me physically and mentally. I saw my Doctor and he felt I was very depressed so I was prescribed anti-depressants!

So my wife and I had to go to appeal. This was a very stressful, intimidating and upsetting experience for both of us. We sat in front of a panel of 5 people made up of benefit officials and Doctors. We had to sit there feeling as if we were in a court of law giving information and answering questions from all 5 of the panel.

After about an hour the meeting was adjourned whilst they considered their decision. We was called back in and told our appeal had been declined. We both felt devastated and broke down in tears trying to console each other.

As we were leaving the room one of the female Doctors stopped me and whispered in my ear 2 things. She said you are too honest and you need to get professional advice to complete form with you. It didn’t register at the time but this is when I found the benefits support team at Parkinson’s UK.

I rang Parkinson’s UK and spoke to a wonderful man John Bucknall. I explained everything to him and he wasn’t surprised my appeal had failed. He came up from London a week or so later to our house. He sat with me for hours and completed the form knowing exactly was required!

I sent the form off the following day and subsequently had a reply…………………and it was accepted. Thanks again John