Hi all want to share some information that might help people. This relates to DWP status.
Did you know that if you have a limited capacity for work and one PIP element you can go to university. You are allowed under the retraining for work package. You can go on a part time masters, not sure about a full-time degree. You can apply for a student loan and the grant. Now this bit I'm not absolutely sure about, it may be decided at a local level (my 'work coach's' sister has got a brain injury)- the grant is not deducted, I repeat your grant is not deducted from your DWP payments. I was expecting the grant to be deducted but it is not.
So if you are on the mend (finally) and don't know what to do with yourself or want a new opportunity in life now is your chance. The next 3 to 5 years is going to be grim anyway with covid and brexit adjustments so go for it.
Hi Marnie, BI is such a life changing event, especially with some people describing the loss of the former self etc. I personally say good riddence to my former self. I see now as a rebirth, an opportunity of rebirth at least. The other thing that I have noticed some people saying is that you become what you do when your neurons are making new connections. So you can become what ever you want to be just by doing it. Breaking the brain presents an opportunity but you have to work at it, you will never be the same person as before because you will never have the same experiences exactly as before. There is no old there is only new and all you have to do is grasp it.
I do try to live like that. The main challenge I face in that regard, (and a huge factor in my not being able to study/work since my injury,) is that I have a type of amnesia that means that I am unable to retain new information so I can't learn new stuff any more. As someone who has always loved learning, (and who worked as a teacher for 25 years,) I find this tough. I still work at it though. I especially find it hard that due to severe short term memory problems I can't read books or articles now.
I feel fortunate that I took my degree in my mid twenties but it is frustrating that I am unable to work or volunteer at present, although I hope this might change. I have always worked in health or education and I miss feeling part of something and helping others.
not at this level you just choose yourself and apply for funding via the student loan and grant system. remember if you don't earn over a certain amount of wages you don't have to pay it back. So that's everyone with a BI more or less. Remember this is a good oportunity for retraining in something within your comfortable environmental zone, the place where you don't get sensory overload. It may be a good idea to test yourself to see if you can actually deal with the workload. Find an amount that's good for you and stick to that and less otherwise you may get bad and feeling overwhelmed and spiral into all the crap BI spaces again.
I didn't know I had suffered two severe brain injuries when I did my first degree. I got support with a disabled student's package which included a computer or laptop, dictaphone because of my short term memory, planning, fatigue etc. I got support by being allowed extra time during exams and help when I asked from tutors (organised suitable time with them). I had a software package which helped my planning and ideas as I have difficulty holding complex or sometimes small amounts of information in my mind.
I would suggest doing a degree over more time if you need to and not to worry as there is good support for people with a range of disabilities or even if you don't have a disability. Two of my friends found out they had a disability while we were doing our first degree and I urged them to go to get support, they were surprised when they also received suitable support which helped them a great deal with their own studies. We all graduated. I am thinking of doing masters but have been struggling since lockdown. I have a range of skills that I can use when I set up in business as a therapist/counsellor. When is a good time? Maybe just starting by filling in the application form and do one small step at a time?
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