Is RA classed as a disability?

[saraw342]

Hi, I'm new to this site, recently been diagnosed and have been reading with interest. I want to know as I now classed as having a disability now I have RA and what does this actually mean in real terms?

Thanks

Sara

[earthwitch]

Yes and no. RA itself isn't a disability - Its the effects of RA than can cause disability if they stop you from doing things that someone of your age in your situation would normally be able to do. Theoretically if you were on the right medication for you and weren't having any kind of problems in doing normal day to day tasks, then you could have RA and not have any disability at all. Thats one of the things that makes it so hard to get things like DLA - DLA is for folk who have ongoing disability, and so if DWP even think that you might improve a lot once on the right medications then you really don't fit the definitions.

Disability isn't an illness - its the effects of progressive or uncontrolled illness, or of illness that causes permanent damage, and while RA can cause that, it doesn't always.

If you are new to an RA diagnosis, then remember that it definitely doesn't have to become permanently disabling, and with the range of meds available far less people are ending up as severely disabled as folk used to in my mum's day (she was diagnosed back in 1945). Work closely with your rheumatologist and nurse, report back what the meds they are giving you are doing, and if you don't think things are improving enough be prepared to argue for different or better treatment,

Also just bear in mind that the people who use message boards like this aren't typical of people with RA - by its nature the people who use message boards tend to be either those new to the diagnosis and trying to find out all about it, or people who have had a diagnosis for a while but are still having a lot of problems. The majority of folk who end up getting treated well and stabilised (or even go into remission) don't need a message board so much, so its kind of like the tip of the iceberg here, with by far the largest number of folk just getting on with day to day life and not needing a message board.

[Hidden]

I recently read (here, I think) that anyone with RA is classed as having a disability. That gave me pause for thought because, to my mind, I both do & don't have a disability. I consider that my disease has had a very complex impact on my life - I'm still capable of a lot but my stamina & resilience are severely diminished so perhaps I'll never be able to work full time again. More importantly perhaps, I'll never be able to push myself to the limit again, so my ability to do all sorts of things for myself & others is very compromised.

I'm very aware that it's only the fact that my partner earns just enough to support us both that saves me from having to think too much about such things. Of course, as earthwitch says, RA doesn't necessarily mean disablement. But for those of us for whom RA has had a sudden or more gradual life-changing impact there's a period of limbo while we try to come to terms with it all.

For me it was really the case that one day I was working hard, earning good money, able to pull out all the stops if my grown up children or friends needed me and the next ..... barely able to move, exhausted, suddenly aged in effect.

I gather that in practical terms having RA means that employers are legally bound to take account of this 'disability' regardless of how severe it is. That's a good thing because RA always seems to be very taxing on the body & every sufferer needs employers to make some concessions.

I've just got back from a party, really enjoyed myself & talked a load of rubbish - didn't mention my illness once (that's both a good & a bad thing) so it's quite possible that I've totally misinterpreted your question! Sorry if so! Luce xx

[helixhelix in reply to Hidden]

drink taken, eh? Just hope you weren't tempted to go water your lettuces when you got home...Px

[jeanabelle in reply to Hidden]

Very well put......was drink taken? I haven't been to a good party in about two years now.....too sore, too tired, too something or other.....did you water the lettuces?? The mind boggles.....

[Hidden in reply to jeanabelle]

Forsooth Polly & jeanabelle, I loveth this antiquated phrasing and yay, drink was indeed taken. (Felt like I was dying today ..... anyone got any spare willpower??) x

[helixhelix in reply to Hidden]

Bit late for willpower! Door, stable, horse and so on....Hope you have recovered today.

[helixhelix]

I disagree with Earthwitch, as I think that RA is a disability and does come into the legal definition of disability. It is a lifelong condition with the potential to wreck the way you live. The fact that for many of us it's something that can be managed is neither here nor there. After all, if you lost a leg that is a disability even if you have a brilliant artificial leg that means you can do everything you used to do, and means that most people wouldn't notice.

It is important to recognise that RA is a disability, because that means that we're covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. So that gives some help for example with needing some adjustments to carry on working. (But just because you have RA doesn't mean you have to tell your employer that you have a disability, it's up to you).

The bit that's less cut and dried is whether your RA is sufficiently impairing to make you eligible for disability benefits. And in many cases it doesn't, so there's no way that you could get any financial support. The DWP look at the impact of the disability, not just whether or not you have one.

So yes, I have a disability - but I'm not disabled by it! (Or only a little bit, anyway). Polly

[earthwitch in reply to helixhelix]

Definition: gov.uk/definition-of-disabi...

"You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 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." - so with that definition if your RA was well controlled then you wouldn't be disabled.

[farjer121]

Hello Sara, hope your well and welcome to the site.

There have been a few answers to the question in hand and I think they are all right ... it just depends on your personal circumstance.

From a Statutory point of view the Disability Discrim Act was replaced by the all encompassing Equality Act 2010 (EA) and its revisions. This brought together many pieces of existing legislation into one place... if its not repealed by this government!

The EA actually names Arthritis as a disability and says something like "a fluctuating illness would be covered by the Act if it has occurred in the last 2 years (but this could be 1 years)".

It is worth noting that Depression is also named and covered subject to the same time scale of reoccurrence.

So, if your in employment, you should go out of your way to let your employer know of your RA so you are afford some protection from the EA.

The employer will probably need to satisfy themselves of your claim and will send you to their own medical advisors or Occupational Health (OH). Once a report is in hand (you should ask for and are entitled to a copy).

The employer Must now provide "reasonable adjustments" to your "work station" or area and generally... you can at this stage seek help from the DWP via what used to be known as Access to Work who used to visit your work place and access you movement and the job you do... a report is provided to your employer about what type of equipment will be required, its cost and where it can be purchased.

As to employment and your personal general needs, adjusting your hours of work or flexi time may be a solution and the Employer will have to seriously consider your requests. A certain level of Disability Related Sick Leave Allowance may also be asked for.

But do be warned, some employers may and will "black list" you because of your disclosure.

Its a really fine line that needs to be walked!

My experiences with my employers are that they did black list me...

I was removed from my training role and placed in "mainstream", after a number of years they started saying I need to use my annual leave to attend six weekly blood tests at the hospital. They wanted a travel break down for each Rheumo visit, time I left, travel time, appointment time, time to travel back.

The final straw was when they started a Disciplinary for my poor time keeping when they knew it was down to my arthritis... the punishment, removal of my flexi working and being placed on fixed hours of six months (knowing I could not keep to the start times).

When it comes to making claims such as DLA (or whatever its called now) and Disability Related Tax Credits, the DWP will take a different approach and try and make out your not that "disabled" or at least "below the threshold" for a claim.

From a personal day to day perspective... I dont know how bad a "bad day" can be for you, but I find a strong sense of Stoicalism (did I just make that up) comes in handy.

Make the most of good days and Dont fight bad ones... save your energy for the wondeful things you will want to do later.

All the best.

Farjer121

[helixhelix in reply to farjer121]

Of course! I knew something had changed, but forgot what...thanks for reminding about equality act. Polly

[saraw342]

Thank you for all your views. I have told my employer about the RA ( due to being off for 4 months before Christmas). To be honest my employer could not have been more supportive, I enjoy my job and work hard and my employer respects this and is willing to help in any way. Incidentally I have also suffered depression,my employer organised some therapy to help me. I am a full time teacher and struggling at the moment, I don't think I will be able to continue full time as some days I struggle to walk and my hands are so swollen I can't use them. I was wondering about mobility cars? I struggle to sometimes as changing gear and using the handbrake is difficult. I really hope they can sort me out with meds. I'm on methoject 20mg , gabapentin and various painkillers. I'm going onto humira or another one soon.

Sara

[Hidden in reply to saraw342]

Hello Sara and welcome to the site. Sorry things are so bad for you just now but as you can see from people's comments so far, RA is an incredibly variable and varied disease. You may currently feel pretty disabled by it but having a supporting workplace and boss and also heading towards anti-tnfs now - you may well find you get enough control to return to a new kinds of normality with your RA well managed. I wouldn't make too many decisions about work and transport until you have given new and existing drugs a chance to stabilize the disease. It is stressful enough waiting for old and new drugs to work without having to apply for funding for new cars probably but if you are struggling, and I recall having struggled a lot with driving at one stage myself, then a small automatic might well be enough but if you can access a mobility car easily then it might well be worth applying for blue badge and funding towards the car. Oops I see that Farjer has replied with similar advice. I've never applied for any of it myself but I've been very lucky that I'm self employed and my husband works with me and can drive when things are precarious with the RA. Tilda x

[farjer121]

Hello again Sara.

Before you go down the route of Mobility Cars (they cost a great deal, even with the assistance loan) maybe you should consider applying for a "Blue Badge" and swutching to an automatic?

Go to the Government web site and its all done online and directed to the Local Authority that serves the area in which you live... After application you will be interviewed by the LA.

I applied for and was issued with a Blue Badge earlier this year and its made the world of difference to me!

Also, it might be worth changing to an automatic car... before going down the Mobility Car route for the reason above.

I changed to an automatic some five years ago and found it great, no need to use the hand brake, just put it in park. Also I went from a car to a "van" or people mover with cruise control because the height meant I could get in and out really easily and cruise control meant I didn't have to use the pedals that much.

Sadly, as the disease progresses, I now find I can only drive for about 30mins max before my hands, hips and right knee forces me off the road... But with the Blue Badge and automatic I am more "mobile" than I would have been.

Hopefully the Anti TNFs will help change your life and if your stopping work (I stopped 1 year ago or more corretcly went on sick leave and now applying for ill health retirement) consult your Rheumo people about Infliximab.

I have tried Humria; great until caught Swine flu, after 3mth recovery Humira slowly stopped working. Then moved onto Golimumab about 8 months ago; too slow in working, long bouts of on-of Arthritis and my psoriasis is not well controlled. Now that I am not working my Rheumo people have asked if I want to try Infliximab... they say it is a hospital treatment only (2-hours or so every two months) and that anecdotal evidence suggests that it help combat Depression (so I might try it as I have been on 45mg of Mertazapine for too long).

All the best,

Farjer121

[Case in reply to farjer121]

Hi there, I agree with so many of the above posts, especially the last 1. I had a motability car. The DWP reassessed me as having no award (appeal pending). My car / lifeline was taken away. Fortunately we found a 2nd hand automatic car, which meets my needs..and won't be taken away. Unfortunately, although I am worse than at my original application, fluctuating conditions are open to interpretation by assessors. Especially at a time of austerity.

Take care. Also, would like to add disability is just a word. You are a person first, keep positive.