I had a triple SAH in Jan 17. In a coma for 3 months and was told I would never work again as both of my frontal lobes were damaged meaning my decision making was severely compromised.
I have wrotten aphasia most of the time and problems forming new memories. Iose balance often and although I am typing here (this has taken an hour so far) , I can sign my signature but not write properly. Thus forms are a real problem. I have to read every sentence 3 or 4 times but then the word signals from my brain to my fingers get garbled.
Loud noises scare the bejesus out of me. Even people talking too loud is not nice. I was an educated and internationally trusted engineer. Now I can't even cook.
So not a happy bunny now. Oh...the dwp had decided I am no longer worthy of my PIP and sropped it in august. I managed a phone appeal but it was denied and i cannot write the paper form of appeal.
Lovely to have the chance to meet you all here though.
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Liumeybob
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Sorry to hear had such a tough time. I hope things begin to improve. From what you have written, I would have thought that you would be entitled to PIP. For instance, Im guessing the balance problems can have big impact on ability to travel to places, as could memory problems. And so I would have thought that you should be entitled to the mobility component and maybe at the higher rate. Similarily, with the other part of PIP (the name of which I cant remember atm).
It might be worth seeing if CAB will help you with the written appeal and maybe also speak to Headway helpline which can be really helpful and they are also just nice people to chat to about things.
As RupertW says you should appeal. Having been through this process a number of times I found the CAB will help by putting the correct wording into the forms.
Another factor many people don't realize is that the PIP questionnaire does not assess neurological dysfunctions. It only assesses mental health and physical mobility. I had an assessment where I said to the person conducting the questionnaire where are the neurological questions and she said there arn't any. She then advised me to take this up with a manager who assesses the claims at the DWP. I did and these were then taken into consideration and I won the appeal. All you need is the evidence from your GP and from your last brain injury assessment.
Another thing you can do is go to your MP and explain the situation, ask why you are being victimized for having a brain injury. Again take the evidence with you. Take someone with you who can explain for you because by having aphasia you lose words.
The other major factor that can help you is the statement given to parliament on the 2/12/21 by Gillian Keegan gov.uk/government/calls-for...
What the statement said was that every public service in the UK was unfit for purpose when it came to the diagnosis, rehabilitation and care of people with brain injuries. As a consequence, a new strategy for dealing with people with brain injuries is being developed. The findings from a call for evidence has not yet been published. In other words any PIP assessment is not fit for purpose and this needs to be taken into consideration when you get the CAB and your MP to sort the problem out for you.
When you stand up and fight for yourself with evidence they will get scared and back off. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by fighting. Never give up.
Sorry to hear y troubles, had many of the same. Get in touch with citizens advice, they will do all the paperwork for you! Assist in your appeal, they attended mine with me. Needed 6 points for all the long term benefits, was awarded 13!!! Social services are wrapped up in looking after kids mental health at the moment so no use for anything else! Was told as my parents were looking after me they would close my case. They passed and got nowhere when I contacted them! Lucky my brother is now my carer. Had loads of tests to prove my vulnerability but still no s. Worker!! Good luck & please report here y progress, we love to hear from trying cases, getprogress. Oh a SMILE always helps to battle y frustrations!! Try it!!
Totally 100% agree with both replies . Brain injuries are really not always obvious but are ALWAYS deemed irrelevant, non existent, unimportant , trivial . Why are there no qualified , trained DWPs who understand how life changing brain injury is ...
Hi Bob and welcome. As others suggest, Citizen's Advice usually offer hands-on support in claiming benefit you're obviously entitled to.
I've also seen first hand how local MPs can cut through the (often unjust) red tape, especially in matters of health.
And do phone the Headway helpline on freephone 0808 800 2244 ; they also offer great advice and support.
DWP staff (like too many other folk) cannot grasp the simple fact that, with an injured brain, just getting through the most basic tasks each day can be overwhelming...
It's upsetting enough losing such a big chunk of life without added penalties. Insult to injury comes to mind ☹️.
You have so much to cope with that a fight with the dwp is just terrible for you to do
Please get some help with it
Your local council will have a benefits officer to help you. Try the cab and of course headway should help
You are entitled to pip also esa both of which you should apply appeal for
Aphasia is hard to cope with Maybe you should mention to the dwp that your disability rights are being breached by them not taking into account your aphasia with regards to forms and stuff
Im sure a solicitor would help on that front too
Try scope the disabled right charity
I hope you keep posting i know it must be very hard to do so
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