TO SAY Camerons Policies are in danger of getting all disabled people labelled as "Scroungers"

[ScousyFogarty]

That is a wicked thing do do and David Cameron beeds to apologise or more likely get one of his flunkies to say SORRY

Glitterknickaz - you do an amazing job, there is no doubt of that.

But diminishing Cameron as a parent of a disabled child just because you dont agree with his policies is pretty off. His primary goal is getting the country back onto its feet, and everyone must contribute.

Hes only been in power for a year. Give the poor bastard a chance.

Oh and the Lib Dems as well. They deserve a mention. Lovely people.

absolutely Glitter, I agree that all families should shout long and hard, because for every family who shouts and struggles, other families without that ability may benefit.

So, a family with money behind them may be able to shout and struggle louder than those without....

Ok TFO, gotcha.

ccp I have not diminished Cameron as the parent of a disabled child. I have no idea what his family went through, I wouldn't want to be there myself and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. BUT his situation WAS different to others at the 'coal face' - if I could buy in specialist help then my life WOULD be different, I would be much more able to cope. I honestly don't think he has any idea of the additional stresses of families having to live on disability/carer benefits. He really doesn't. Just like he has no idea of eking out JSA to last the week. It's what frightens me about the Conservative welfare policy, not one of them have had to live that life and they have no idea.

If people on disability/caring benefits HAD anything to contribute then yeah.... I'm sure not one of us would begrudge luxuries. Problem is there ARE no luxuries, you just survive. There is no excess to cut away, it may be that we no longer heat our homes, or we don't buy food, or we lose the roof over our head. That is the reality. We're barely surviving on what we have, and now they want to take that away...

DO NOT get me started on Nick Clegg. Tosser. At least Cameron has never pretended to be someone he's not or sold himself out for a slimy grasp at power. Disgusting little man.

but if you have money it gives you a buffer, you can pay for the things that others have to shout for.
I know this as I know a lot of people who have money, doesn't mean they don't care about their family member, but if you know that you can pay if need be, it would help keep the fear of poverty away.
sadly a lot of people thought that DC would understand, felt he had been there. he lived with it, surely he would understand the expense and time caring for a disabled person took....
but he doesn't, that is why he gets knocked, nothing to do with empathy, he has had that in buckets loads, but he just doesn't care about families that will be ripped apart by these cuts, he is the prime minister, a job he chose so he has to accept and so do his supporters that he can't pretend anymore, he has hit the very people who thought understand the hardest.

yes, shoesy, you can pay for some extras, but how many can afford 24 hour care, or residential college or medical treatment? You would be talking millions.

My family member is "lucky" in that he has money for extra days out or a one-to-one so he can attend a family wedding, for example.

But he is "luckier" because his parents are educated, know their rights and are not scared to stand up for him when needed, to see that he has the best possible life.

I'm sorry but something niggles me with this thread. I have brought valid points to the arguement which have been disregard even by those who are in receipt of DLA. There seems to be a bit of sympathy in some of the posts. However in reality towards bringing up a child with severe, complex and multiple disabilities, with DLA is bad enough. There are no luxuries in life except for the fact that my family still have me plodding on even though I have come close to topping myself a few times. Sometimes feeling the need to take my ds with me. I have another 3 disabled dc yet I feel there needs are not as challenging. I do not claim DLA for these as I feel there needs aren't as great, which possibly may sound wrong to some. This is what I tried to say in an earlier post. 2 of those other dc are in special school so quite obviously have needs.

but you should apply for the benefit if you are entitled to it, Devient. Thats what its there for.

There's bugger all else anyone will do for you in this situation, you may as well take the money and ease things up a bit.

devient.... I have also been in that situation...

I don't know maybe I'm wrong here, but the way I feel is there need isn't as great. tbh I have never filled out a DLA form. I also feel a bit of a fraud saying they are disabled. My youngests needs are so great, even the profs haven't found a way of dealing with him as yet. He has numerous medical, physical and neurological problems at the mo I feel doing something else is far greater than any DLA. Yes sorry have had a really bad week.

"he just doesn't care about families that will be ripped apart by these cuts"

Or, the cuts have to happen and he is the bearer of bad news.

I havent seen anything Cameron has done that makes me think he is a cnut. Its all very logical yes, but in times like these we need people who will make tough decisions.

Its not helped by a Labour party on the recoil, struggling to come to terms with its responsibility for much of the problem. A bit of honesty from them would cool things down massively.

I guess thats not how politics works though...

This is my issue. The kids have varying levels of need, but even the highest functioning cannot wash or dress himself. Yes the whole 'disabled' label thing still feels alien to me even five years in. I have been told that their needs are very much great enough to get the DLA, and sometimes when I see them with their NT peers I really can see it, but it's all I've lived with, I've not had a child without their needs.

The thing is without each of their DLA there is no way we could cope financially. They each need different things with their DLA, but it is only ever spent on meeting those needs.

you have my sympathy, but if they are entitled to DLA then by definition their need is sufficient. I can see how filling out the forms might put you off though.

I just think that if you have a belief that someone somewhere is handing out brownie points that you have not taken all you are entitled to, they are not and you are possibly making things harder than they need be?

No-one will be standing at the pearly gates and giving you a sticker for taking less than your entitlement...

ccp there are so many other places where cuts should be made first

that was to devient btw

x posts

ok lets argue it a different way, is a child in mainstream with a particular syndrome the same as a child in special school with a particular syndrome, who's needs are greater and should they both be entitled to the same amount of DLA??

the way I see it and maybe it's a bit old fashioned but some kids develop slower than others, some people have different needs than others, I'm sorry I can't make this clear.

TBH I don't really see 'competitive disability' as a good measure of working.
I don't think particular syndromes should attract different levels of money, no. I believe the current system of DLA whereby it is HOW the disability affects your life is a good measure, however it should be assessed by professionals in that field, not ATOS.

My children are currently in mainstream. One is doing well with intensive support, another I am battling to get a statement for to get into special school. The third will be going to special school.

Despite the fact they are in mainstream education the DLA is very much needed. There are massive additional costs. Getting them to appointments, laundering soiled clothes through unreliable continence. Sensory food issues. They destroy a lot of stuff round the house and that needs replacing. Leisure activities to provide them with exercise to help with the mobility problems and behavioural issues..... I can't think of all the costs off the top of my head but they do spend their DLA every month.

Thing is devient mine are never going to develop to the level of their peers. Never. I'm trying to maximise their education as best they can so that in the future (understanding employers required) they may be able to work. I hope they can do that in some capacity.

Actually schooling is a bit of a misnomer here. There are some children with quite severe needs in mainstream....

how can you possibly answer that without details?

I the needs are the same, then the amount should be the same. Take it to the extremes:

PMLD requires a lot of money and a lot of help. DLA is paid at whatever rate is set at the time.
Dyslexia is a disability that requires little extra money or help (outside the classroom). Dyslexia should not qualify you for DLA.

Doesn't matter if a child is in mainstream or special school the DLA doesn't go to the school it goes to the child.

it's not competitive but when you throw severe and profound into the mix it is an entirely different ball game. Strangely enough for us our 3 boys are special school, however our 3 girls are mainstream, yes one of those has quite a bit support but the way I see it is kids cost anyway.

my experience is PMLD, hence that is my frame of reference

Needs - ie physically having difficulty walking, washing & dressing selves, feeding selves, continence.... the ability to communicate.... these are all needs in consideration for DLA, and that is as it should be. All of my kids have issues with all of these points.

As in my last point. My kids cannot engage in their own personal care, they cannot dress themselves, feed themselves or communicate if they are distressed or unwell.

That may not be PMLD but it's significant needs compared to their peers.

we have one we are struggling to find work for and he is at home as he is too challenging for his day care. My youngest will never work or live independantly and prognosis for him is 2 to 3 carers looking after him.