endo- a disability?

[Mulomi]

hello everyone, is endo considered a disability. your input will highly be appriciated. tnx

[Hidden]

Hello, this has been raised several times; in essence it isn't the disease/condition which is a 'disability' but how it affects or impacts upon your life. Some disease which are known to cause specific disabilities are included such as cancer, HIV, or MS and some mental health conditions but as everyone responds differently, even if the symptoms are similar because each person has a different level of pain threshold, response to medication, etc.

I myself have been given a blue badge and my employer's occupational health (as well as that of the local council) agree that the condition and the impact on me is a disability. I have trouble walking because of the pain and having had the condition for many years (since mid-1980s) it is considered long-term. In essence, it's the impact on you daily (not necessarily every single day but the majority of days) - so take an average month...if it significantly impacts over two/thirds then it is likely to be considered 'day to day'.

The law itself is slightly unclear: if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

1) substantial’ is more than minor or trivial, eg it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed

2) ‘long-term’ means 12 months or more, eg a breathing condition that develops as a result of a lung infection

For instance, I had to show that I could not walk more than say 20 feet without any assistance (I use a rollator to get out and about and a walking stick in the house), I showed that I had difficulty getting in and out of the bath - live in army house so they won't change it to a walk-in shower. This is how the condition affects me even with the medication but it is important to remember than when describing your symptoms it is how they affect you WITHOUT MEDICATION. So, in essence, if you didn't take any medication/painkillers, how much pain would you be in on a daily basis and/or how would the pain impact upon you're abilities.

I have applied for (but still haven't heard back) for the personal independence payment which is the replacement for disability living allowance. I can work but on occasion have to do so from home and I can't clean the house, go shopping or on some days, cannot even wash myself (down below) so the council's occupational health team say I should receive some money. It's a difficult question; if you PM me your email I can send you a pain matrix which was very useful for the employer's OH team to determine disability.

Sorry this is such a long post...it is a confusing area of law and I've a degree in it!

Maria