To think we are just as entitled to this help as 'older' people?

[Edenviolet]

We have four dcs all with significant health issues. I do not drive and we struggle to get them to the numerous and frequent hospital appts and they also have a lot of illnesses so need to see the gp a lot.

This has meant dh taking far too much time off and when he can't it costs a fortune in taxi fares.

Our gp surgery runs a transport scheme for gp and hosp appts. I phoned today as we really need the help. The woman I spoke to was decidedly off and said the service is really meant for older people, and how had I been getting to appts till now why couldn't I do that. She was very sharp in her manner and quite dismissive. Then she said I had to see the dr to get approved and that they might not and if they do there was no guarantee she would be able to find a driver when I needed one.

I phoned back to make the gp appt and suddenly heard my name in the background- the woman I'd just spoken to was talking about me and dcs to another person and it didn't sound complimentary! The receptionist I was speaking to suddenly realised, put the call on hold then came back on and said , oh I'm really sorry about that.

It has made me feel like rubbish

[littleredsquirrel]

I agree that you should complain about the receptionist's manners its you but just to correct a comment up thread. Talking about you is nothing whatsoever to do with data protection. It is understandable that people misunderstand data protection since so many organisations misquote the data protection legislation whenever they don't fancy discussing something with you but the legislation is about the processing of sensitive personal information.

[ikeaismylocal]

In that case yabu. The dla payments should be used to pay for the taxis.

[Floggingmolly]

But the kid's appointments aren't at the weekends or in the evenings, op, or you wouldn't be having this problem .
Blowing the budget on a car in case one of your dc need to be taken to hospital at night (call an ambulance, ffs!) while you struggle like this on weekdays is pure nonsense.

[Tinpin]

I feel horrible writing this too but surely the DLA money should be used for taxi fares etc and the car funded by your husbands earnings. Have I got this wrong? I don't want to appear uncaring!

[Edenviolet]

It is not a motability car!

We got a loan to buy a car and are still paying the loan off. Dh has to work so can't be around for all appointments. We need a car for getting dcs to school in the morning as well and due to their limited mobility we would be housebound at weekends without it.

[Edenviolet]

Our money is joint, the dla and wages go into same account so its his wages paying for the car and dla taxis or vice versa really.

But taxis are too difficult due to my joint problems then having to lug car seats in and out and the buggy etc, I need help as well and taxi drivers can't they just rush off.

[Edenviolet]

That aside the dla is also being used for other things for dcs so there isn't that much left for taxis anyway.

[Floggingmolly]

All money coming from the same pot isn't the issue, though. The problem is that you can't afford both, something has to give; and you're getting the shitty end of the stick.

[Edenviolet]

We can't afford everything that is true, made 100 times worse by the fact we now have to pay 250 pounds a month for sensors for dd2. We are trying our best and dh works hard but we need extra support such as the patient transport scheme.

We don't waste money, we pay our bills and we need some help.

[Tullahulla]

DLA is for the addition expenses incurred having anyone disabled in the family.

That's what you use when you need to get to your hospital appointments by taxi, so you're already getting all the help you're entitled to.

I'd you have a car that makes you live beyond your means then you change your car.

[Owllady]

Have you got a social worker hedgehog? For yourself, the children?
There is no point starting a thread like this in aibu because aibu has a few people who have no to little clue about this kind of thing! Although a lot have Bern helpful, I can see. But yes, the transport is not just for old people :)

[Edenviolet]

Tried lessons in 2004 and failed, tried again in 2011 with a ff grant this time automatic and never got to test standard.

No money left to do lessons again.

[Owllady]

Like tullulla
Can't spell and is a sickness who has no clue!
My point made :)

[Edenviolet]

It costs £19 to get to the local hospital. Next week we have three appts there and it costs 7 pounds each way to the GPS so if dcs also get a virus or need to se gp we have those taxi costs too. It adds up very very quickly to a lot if money and more than we can fund with what dla we have left after other expenses.

[CouthyMow]

You think the amount of DLA you get given covers all the additional expenses incurred by having a disability?! if so you're having a laugh!

[Bathsheba]

The £250 a month for glusoce monitoring - is that vital? Can it be funded another way? Is that longterm? Thats obviously a huge chunk of anyone's budget.

As others have said - the DLA you receive is precisely to cover the situations you have mentioned - having to get taxis etc - so unfortunately it is your outgoings, budgetting etc that needs to be re-examined. Yes it would be nice if the voluntary service was available to you, but actually the govt (who I rarely defend) have actually already given you cold hard cash so you don't need to use voluntary services to get to appointments.

[Owllady]

Sickness was supposed to say DICKHEAD
I am on my son's tablet, apologies

To clear up, there are lots of DICKHEADS in aibu and everywhere else who have no idea of the implications of illness and disability long term, financial and otherwise

[BobPatSamandIgglePiggle]

Could anyone else drive DH s car? On days you have appointments could he get public transport if you had a friendbwho could drive you all to the appointment?? Long shot maybe.

[CouthyMow]

The glucose monitoring used to be covered by the NHS but isn't any more. You now told to use your DLA. DLA is barely that amount per month.

[Edenviolet]

Yes it is vital but not funded by the nhs and is for the foreseeable future.

I'm hoping the gp will say we can use the service as otherwise dh is having too much time off.

[Owllady]

Hahahahahahahahagahahahahaha
Dla covers all the expenses

DICKHEAD:o

[Edenviolet]

Nobody else who could drive it.

[CouthyMow]

The DLA I get my three-year-old barely covers the cost of his additional food required because of his allergies it's not going to cover transport to his hospital appointments as well. I fully understand the financial difficulties hedgehogs going through.

[BobPatSamandIgglePiggle]

Have you asked anyone (friends / family) to drive or help??