It does take a long time to complete everything, Gill. And you need to be really careful with your words, to make sure you are telling all the facts-even the embarrassing stuff needs to be spoken about!
I didn’t need to embellish anything-I just told the truth about my life. I felt when I had my phone assessment when my reward was being reviewed, the assessor was trying to trip me up, but if you’re telling the truth the facts speak for themselves. She was asking if I had pets, and if so, how I was able to look after my cat. But I had all my answers ready. What annoyed me afterwards when I got a copy of her report, was the fact she said I didn’t sound like I was in pain. But how could she know? I was penalised for being calm and not being hostile. And she twisted things and was downright incorrect in some of her assumptions-some things I never said at all, and some things she invented-like my type of surgery.
She reduced points in certain areas which led to me having my award reduced, because you need to get at least 4 points in each descriptor. So, just make sure you try to cover all the difficulties your hubby has, and how much you need to do to help him. I thought about giving up on appealing the decision, but I’m glad I didn’t because it was simply unfair.
She was obsessed with what I would do if I got lost while out of the house-I haven’t been out on my own for about 7 years, not even to the local shop so I’m never going to get lost anywhere! I’m assuming she wanted me to say I would use google maps to find my location and then she could say I had no difficulties and could understand information, but I can’t use google maps!
Good luck with it Gill-it can be an ordeal doing all the paperwork, but it’s worth it if you can get the award.
Sarah xx
The more evidence you have to back up your claim, the better it is and you’ve got everything ready with consultants letters etc so that’s good. Everything it’s important to you, so give a full account.
Sometimes they will just do a paper based assessment if they feel they’ve got enough information, other times it’s a call on the phone, video or in person. You would need to do all the speaking on the phone as you’re his appointee and of course he can’t speak. I was given no choice-I just got told it would be a phone interview both times. But I would have been happy for OH to take me in person so they could see me in my wheelchair.
Every day is difficult for me, not just the odd day, but I was penalised for having full use of my hands if you can believe that! No account taken that that all my issues are with my lower body because of my surgeries and two stomas-I might have use of my hands but cannot put socks or shoes on, or bend to the floor to pick something up. I can’t stand up in my own to cook a meal, lift heavy things etc etc. life is affected every day. If my cat is sick, or has an accident, I can’t get to the floor to clean it up, so it has to wait till OH comes home from work.
After my stroke I have real problems remembering things or using the right words, so my OH typed out everything for my reconsideration-I just said what I wanted to say and in total it took us about 30-40 hours to put it all together with me speaking and OH typing and formatting on the laptop. I had long letters from my gp, lists of medications/side effects, a letter from my surgeon/oncologist and one from my mental health counsellor which I’m really hoping will be enough. I actually cried reading the letter from my counsellor-it was hard accepting that this is me now, this is who I am. And it’s hard to ask for help even though my life has completely changed-just as life has completely changed for you and your hubby with him not being able to speak and you needing to be his carer after surgery and beyond. That’s a HUGE deal for you both.
We need to stand up for what is true and right, and I will take it all the way-the number of cases which succeed at mandatory consideration is very low, but going to a tribunal has a much better success rate. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I’ll do what I have to. It’s a lot of money to lose when I can’t earn or work now, but I’ve paid into the system all my working life. It’s supposed to help people like us-I don’t choose to be disabled and no-one would choose this life I have now. I know you’ll be well able to stand up for yourself and hubby and I hope everything goes well and you get what you need.
Sarah xx
Absolutely we’ve just got to make the best of it! I’ve been a right moaning Minnie here today but I’m not always like that…honest! I try to see the silver linings and I can laugh at myself too.
I’ve got myself in bed with my trusty hot water bottle and pillows but no cat for now! She’s snoozing on my seat downstairs probably and I’ll hear her little bell on her collar when she wanders up looking for a cosy spot. Taken my pills, so I’ll hopefully be asleep shortly if I can get comfy.
I’ll keep you posted how I get on and hope to hear a good result from your end too. My extra bit of advice before I go is to send everything signed for so you know they’ve got it.
Always lovely to chat with you Gill-thanks for that. Hope you sleep well too and forget about pip until they contact you again. Big hugs.
Sarah xx
