Its a pain..

[baldy34]

Widespread pain since I was 8 years old. Diagnosed with Fibro at the age of 43. How slow are the NHS, many tests, X-rays and everything else but it shouldnt have took that long.

I was getting DLA when I was unemployed but that stopped when I started work. I have applied again but because they say I can walk 50 metres, slowly and unaided its a NO. And because I can make myself a sandwich and clean myself its a NO. 50 metres wont even get me to the bus stop so I need to drive. An appeal is on its way (after some advice). Is it because I work I asked myself but I need the stimulation work gives me.

I know how people feel when they talk about how Fibro affects their day and their life. We dont ask for much just help so we can manage a little better.

I didnt mention I also have Diabetes and Arthritis but thats another story..

[tarnall]

You need to tell the DLA how your fib affects you on your worse days. You need to tell them that it is a variable condition and that you don't know when the pain and confusion will effect you.

[baldy34]

Thanks for the advice I am going to see if my GP will give me a letter as well.

[Lima6MCT]

"I was getting DLA when I was unemployed but that stopped when I started work."

Unless the condition claimed for has significantly changed then the fact that a person is employed shouldn't affect them getting DLA as it is an classed as an "in work" benefit.

When you sent in your form did you emphasise that the physical act of walking causes you severe pain and/or discomfort? As you say even if you can walk 50m slowly & unaided it doesn't mean you can go anywhere apart from 25m from your front door & the 25m back!

Benefits & Work say: "The question that needs to be answered here is how far you can walk, including any short stops, before you feel severe discomfort.

There is no precise definition of severe discomfort, except that the law says it is less than severe pain. Can you walk at all on your worse days? Are you in severe discomfort all the time when you walk or does it begin after a certain distance? People tend to have difficulty estimating distances so, if possible, actually measure how far you can walk before you are in pain or severe discomfort. As a last resort count how many paces you can take and then measure your pace".

I always thought that the cooking a meal test didn't include sandwiches so I looked up what it says on the Benefits& Work site:

"Remember, this is a hypothetical test: this means it doesn’t matter whether you know how to cook or ever do cook. What matters is whether, if you had the ingredients, you would be physically and mentally able to carry out all the activities connected with cooking a main meal. And it’s a traditional meat, or soya, and two veg. type of meal. Reheating something, making a sandwich or putting something in the microwave doesn’t count as preparing a cooked main meal."

I really don't know why DWP plays such stupid games like this by turning down genuine claims and putting folks who are already ill and stressed out through the appeals system as it's only going to cost the Government more in the long run, especially when there are all those Tribunals to pay for!

[baldy34]

These people who decide need to spend a moment in our shoes to realise how we are affected.

I am very grateful for what my missus does for me because without her I am well and truly grounded.

When I walk I cant put my big toes on the floor because this is very painful and with the collapsed arches walking is hard for me.

As for cooking 5 minutes standing up preparing the food is enough because of the height of the worktops. And I cant hold utensils because of the limited movement in my hands (thumbs and the next two fingers and wrists) stops me anyway.

I used to like drawing and painting but that has had to stop as well until I can a find a way of doing it comfortably.

Thanks for the reply..