Ok last minute dash on some more help haha
On Thursday I have a tribunial to try and get DLA, has anyone else had one and be successful/unsuccessful!?
What was it people had said or wish they had said!?
Any help would be mega appreciated, it really would!!
Xxx
Hi Charlie
I have just been awarded DLA this week. I provided about 15 pages of additional information from various consultants (I see six different ones in different disciplines, and have been referred to another), and was also very clear on the mobility section about my (lack of) walking ability by actually going out and measuring it. I measured how long it took me to walk 200 metres and documented this with my measured walking speed, and also explained that I cannot go out alone due to my lung function and often need a wheelchair. I also explained that I use a nebuliser frequently and have to carry one around everywhere.
Although I have a severe scoliosis, and am tube fed amongst other things, it was mainly my lungs that I applied for, but Im in a very different situation to most folk, as its not just my asthma (which is a fluctuating illness and varies widely from person to person) but due to my kypho-scoliosis I have severe restrictive lung disease and only have 25% lung capacity with about 11% function in small airways.
I also had my GP on board, and my Consultant at Papworth and made this clear on the application.
I was awarded it with no medical, based on the information I provided, but in total I provided about 20 additional pages!
Lynda 
oh, forgot - I also explained that I am unable to work, having had to leave my 14 year nursing career due to ill health.
Lynda
Did you have support to fill the form in? I would contact your local disability rights organisation, they usually have welfare advisors that will support you to complete the forms if you reapply.
Lynda
Thank u so much for ur support Lynda!!
I think in all i now have 90 additional pages to my main booklet filled in for hospital letters and back up support so im hoping that will help, im also back at heartlands on wednesday so the day before the trial so hopfully ill have extra information to ship their way.
On this particular occasion i did have citizens advice actually fill the form.in for me so they knew what the best things to write were and where to write stuff. But i still got turned down.
Thanks for the advice u gave tho, ill see wat i can do now as extra to fire at them on the day. I use crutches to walk on occasions so i will definatly be taking them.
It just seems like a very daunting day having to justify yourself for being poorly and needing help.
Thank u again!!
Xxx
Wowzers, thank you so much for that, it helps so much knowing how the day may pan out. Do you if i could take mum in as a witness now. As originally when the tribunal letter came through i said noone would be attending with me as we didnt know what mum would be working. But as shes off she can come with. And mum is driving anyway as it would exhaust mw driving that distance and then having to concentrate through it all, as it is the timw of the potential hearing is right when id usually be having an extra nap through out the day to be energise myself and let my body recover from the morning events so ill be tired as it was.
Xxx
Just thought of something else...
If you are taking long term pred and high doses of inhaled steroids make sure that you mention that you are at risk of developing brittle bones which could potentially break in a minor fall.
Also to counteract the damage done by long term use of oral/inhaled corticosteroids if you take weekly aldendronic acid which when used long term is reported to increase the risk of fractures with minor trauma. 1
Also mention that if you have a fall you bruise easily because of the pred and any injury takes longer to heal.
Only mention the above it if it relevant...
1. Refer to: nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/Ev...
Ive already put this two them as i do have brittle bones and now being tested for steroid myopathy and also broke two bones through falls through exhautions. And ive also had damaged ligaments in knee from steroids also.
This is all very relevant so i will mention all. Could i write things down with pointers for me on there else my mind will go blank...
Xxx
Nothing to add but good luck!!
I've just been turned down (first attempt at claiming) for dla but am going to appeal so thanks for the info Malawi
Remember that DLA is only about two things: the care that you need (personal care or to prepare and cook a main meal) and mobility. It is irrelevant what the diagnosis is (unless terminal). For example, I have steroid induced osteoporosis. This will not get me awarded DLA as I do not need personal care because of it, and it does not prevent me walking. The potential ''risk' of a broken bone 'if' I happen to fall - which could never happen, wont be considered.
Another example is my scoliosis - yes its a severe deformity and gives me pain and discomfort, but again, it does not stop me walking and I do not need personal care because of it. Im also tube fed into my stomach. A lot if peope think this would make me qualify for DLA?? But again, I dont need any personal care for it, and it certainly doesnt affect my mobility 
The most important thing to do is focus on your personal care needs, and MEASURE how long it takes you to walk 200 metres. Measure. And state that you have measured it. They dont want guesswork They are more likely to take your answers seriously if they think you have done so.
I think it took me 3 weeks to get the form completed... LOL
Lynda
Hi everyone, we've been asked to share some information with regards to this topic. We suggest taking a look at the following website, for practical, detailed and accurate information about disability and incapacity benefits and tribunals these are the experts:
BenefitsAndWork.co.uk
We also know that most of you will already be familiar with the Asthma UK adviceline, but in case anyone new to Asthma UK looks at this topic, we also advise calling the Asthma UK adviceline if you have any questions relating to this and any other questions you may have about asthma.
The number to call is 0800 121 62 44, it's free to call from a BT landline, and it's open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Hope this helps!
Im sure thats the one I paid to join but in the end didn't find that useful - it was meeting with the welfare rights person who supported me to complete the form that was most useful - but Im sure for some its helpful. Having an actual person there to probe and ask the right questions really changed how I completed the form - I was minimising so much without realising it.
Lynda
Just thought I would share with you all that I had a good fight today with the DLA Tribunial, and finally after 7 applications and the trial I have eventually been awarded higher rate mobility and care...
...completly over the moon!!
Thank you all for you support!!
xxx
Hi Charlie whilst Im sure that like me you dont really want to be eligible for that particular club, I hope the money helps to make you more independent. Im planning to use mine to pay for a mobility scooter and pilates lessons for my back issues - and also to repay the funds I had to spend on an electric bed! I hope it makes a big difference to you, I was awarded high rate care and mobility too. Still getting my head around it to be honest..
Lynda x
Fantastic Charlie I'm soooooo pleased for you.
Glad all went well
City Girl xx
Great news Charlie! I hope it improves youre qualoty of life.
Rose xx
Thank u so much for ur support, that means a lot more than anything else does!!
Lynda, agree, being given this ""lable"" so to speak isnt how i want my life, but atleast now i should have a better quality of life and be able to afford the adaptions around the house to help me.
Thanks city girl (pd - been a long time hope ur well!!) And rose also!!
Xxx
So glad to hear, Charlie!
No one wants to need it but needs must and it will make life easier for you soooooooo.....
WOOHOO!!
That's great news Charlie I am so pleased for you.
Great news charlie_warlie, as others have said not necessarily what you want to hear but at the same time, it can be used to make your life easier
Great news, glad you persisted....
Please remember the name of the benefit... Disability LIVING allowance - helps you to live live more than mearely survive.
I have just been given home help via the crisis team for the mornings... something I have needed for ages but resisted. It was put in place in a matter of hrs after Dist nurse turned up at 8:40am and thought I looked knackdered!
Kate
DLA
