AIBU to think that those with disabilities are being hit particularly hard by the cuts ?p

[BigChocFrenzy]

Just 3 of many grim reports:

Because her care package was slashed, Rachel has to sleep some nights in her wheelchair, in pain, cannot get enough to eat and was diagnosed as malnourished.
Is the aim to kill her off, to save money ?

Luke who had schizophrenia and was unable to perform many simple daily tasks, committed suicide after his incapacity benefit was removed and his housing benefit cut.
Well that worked. He's dead now. No more costs.

Nick who has advanced MS cannot walk, feed himself or talk. The DWP said he would lose his benefits if he did not attend an interview.
Since he can only communicate by blinking, he was saved by having a partner who could phone on his behalf.
Curses, the Master Plan was foiled there.
Never mind, the DWP will try again later. He's too expensive to live.

How did we come to this ?
All in our name ?

I'd only skimmed the articles when I first went on this thread and now I've read them properly and I feel sick. How can the government just abandon people like this? It's like they think the people in the articles chose to be disabled so they deserve everything they get! That poor woman having to fight to get a daily fucking wash. She can't even have a nice meal (or a shit meal) or spend the night in her bed on a bad day. Meanwhile rich government fuckers will be swanning about eating what they like when they like, climbing into snuggy beds and having as many showers as they like while they rob people of what they need to survive. It's so so wrong.

I'm going to qualify that post by stating that in a better world Mr Cameron would have taken his own life out of shame for the damage and cost of human lives his party and his policies have caused.

I certainly wouldn't advocate stringing up any member of the Conservative Party. Not even Iain Duncan Smith.

DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES

1. Preparing food.

a. Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided. 0 points. b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 2 points. c. Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave. points. 2 points d. Needs prompting to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 2 points. e. Needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 4 points. f. Cannot prepare and cook food. 8 points.

1. Taking nutrition.

a. Can take nutrition unaided. 0 points. b. Needs – (i) to use an aid or appliance to be able to take nutrition; or (ii) supervision to be able to take nutrition; or (iii) assistance to be able to cut up food. 2 points. c. Needs a therapeutic source to be able to take nutrition. 2 points. d. Needs prompting to be able to take nutrition. 4 points. e. Needs assistance to be able to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition. 6 points. f. Cannot convey food and drink to their mouth and needs another person to do so. 10 points.

1. Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition.

a. Either – (i) does not receive medication or therapy or need to monitor a health condition; or (ii) can manage medication or therapy or monitor a health condition unaided. 0 points. b. Needs either – (i) to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage medication; or (ii) supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage medication or monitor a health condition. 1 point. c. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes no more than 3.5 hours a week. 2 points. d. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 3.5 but no more than 7 hours a week. 4 points. e. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 7 but no more than 14 hours a week. 6 points. f. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 14 hours a week. 8 points.

1. Washing and bathing.

a. Can wash and bathe unaided. 0 points. b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to wash or bathe. 2 points. c. Needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe. 2 points. d. Needs assistance to be able to wash either their hair or body below the waist. 2 points. e. Needs assistance to be able to get in or out of a bath or shower. 3 points. f. Needs assistance to be able to wash their body between the shoulders and waist. 4 points. g. Cannot wash and bathe at all and needs another person to wash their entire body. 8 points.

1. Managing toilet needs or incontinence.

a. Can manage toilet needs or incontinence unaided. 0 points. b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage toilet needs or incontinence. 2 points. c. Needs supervision or prompting to be able to manage toilet needs. 2 points. d. Needs assistance to be able to manage toilet needs. 4 points. e. Needs assistance to be able to manage incontinence of either bladder or bowel. 6 points. f. Needs assistance to be able to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel. 8 points.

1. Dressing and undressing.

a. Can dress and undress unaided. 0 points. b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to dress or undress. 2 points. c. Needs either - (i) prompting to be able to dress, undress or determine appropriate circumstances for remaining clothed; or (ii) prompting or assistance to be able to select appropriate clothing. 2 points. d. Needs assistance to be able to dress or undress their lower body. 2 points. e. Needs assistance to be able to dress or undress their upper body. 4 points. f. Cannot dress or undress at all. 8 points.

1. Communicating verbally.

a. Can express and understand verbal information unaided. 0 points. b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to speak or hear. 2 points. c. Needs communication support to be able to express or understand complex verbal information. 4 points. d. Needs communication support to be able to express or understand basic verbal information. 8 points. e. Cannot express or understand verbal information at all even with communication support. 12 points.

1. Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words.

a. Can read and understand basic and complex written information either unaided or using spectacles or contact lenses. 0 points. b. Needs to use an aid or appliance, other than spectacles or contact lenses, to be able to read or understand either basic or complex written information. 2 points. c. Needs prompting to be able to read or understand complex written information. 2 points. d. Needs prompting to be able to read or understand basic written information. 4 points. e. Cannot read or understand signs, symbols or words at all. 8 points.

1. Engaging with other people face to face.

a. Can engage with other people unaided. 0 points. b. Needs prompting to be able to engage with other people. 2 points. c. Needs social support to be able to engage with other people. 4 points. d. Cannot engage with other people due to such engagement causing either – (i) overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant; or (ii) the claimant to exhibit behaviour which would result in a substantial risk of harm to the claimant or another person. 8 points.

10. Making budgeting decisions. a. Can manage complex budgeting decisions unaided. 0 points. b. Needs prompting or assistance to be able to make complex budgeting decisions. 2 points. c. Needs prompting or assistance to be able to make simple budgeting decisions. 4 points. d. Cannot make any budgeting decisions at all. 6 points.

MOBILITY ACTIVITIES

1. Planning and following journeys.

a. Can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided. 0 points. b. Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. 4 points. c. Cannot plan the route of a journey. 8 points. d. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. 10 points. e. Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. 10 points. f. Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid. 12 points.

1. Moving around.

a. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points. b. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 4 points. c. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points. d. Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 points. e. Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. 12 points. f. Cannot, either aided or unaided, – (i) stand; or (ii) move more than 1 metre. 12 points.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component points scores

To get an award of the daily living component, you need to score:

8 points for the standard rate
12 points for the enhanced rate

owl yes do. I'm only going on hearsay, but apparently there is massive pressure to fail people, and pep talks in how to underscore and underestimate for the report.

silver Too many coincidences for my liking. I accompanied someone through work as moral support, in smart work wear, and knowing the ins and outs sat and butted in, dropping many hints about my involvement and cranking my usual rp up to cut glass. No problem, accurate assessment.

Locally, someone with the same disability but more advanced was turned down with a ridiculous assessment. Possibly because they aren't hugely articulate, have the local accent, and dress in what they can afford after the kids are provided for, and had to attend the appointment alone and stressed. I was glad to help in the capacity of private life, but that shouldn't be necessary.

Since then I've kept loose track of any outcomes I hear of, and I've found overwhelmingly the less able you are to stick up for yourself, the more likely they'll screw you over. Which exactly matches the outcome for applying for any form of financial help.

My job doesn't have much to do with disability benefits, I just come across it occasionally as a by the by, and what I hear then or more often socially horrifies me.

As a disabled person, I struggle with language that alludes to all disabled people being a single entity....we have our own unique talents and challenges, just like everyone else.

If there was a magic spell that instantly meant there was enough money to go round for everyone who needed it, that would be amazing. What we've got is a limited pot and not enough money to go round.

I suppose the only answer is to get more money in the pot, but how?

So here's my situation. My disability is mobility related. I also have two chronic illnesses. I am in varying degrees of pain (it never goes completely). My disability means I am medically excluded from driving.

I am a single mum to one DS. I am a higher rate taxpayer and have made no claims (including no child benefit).

When I first became disabled, I was upset by all the things I could no longer do and that I'd never be able to try. After being told by EXDH for so many years how pathetic and useless I was at everything, I decided to concentrate on what I could do instead.

I started back at work PT and gradually built up my hours. I work in an industry that isn't regarded as 'nice', but my employer has been amazing. I've been promoted twice since being back.

I am contracted to work 40 hours per week. I get to decide how to do it. I might only be well enough to do a couple of hours one day, but can do more the next.

I have been set up with equipment to work from home on the days I am unable to travel to the office. Every entrance/exit/doorway is automatic and wheelchair friendly. I have software that reads paperwork out loud if I'm struggling with my vision. Explaining how my desk/chair was customised would take too long. I'm sure there are some awful employers out there, but there are also some truly excellent ones too.

In summary - I'm disabled, higher rate tax payer, pay for home help (when needed), pay all public transport costs in full and do not claim disability benefits. I didn't get Legal Aid to help with court costs either.

Just as all disabled people are not the same, neither are all higher rate taxpapers. I don't think that raising the higher rate of tax is the only possible way to increase the size of the pot.

I'm sure there are more than a few disabled people who would love being in paid employment, but feel there are too many barriers, or think that all employers will be unsympathetic.

I think it would be wonderful if all those who could and wanted to work were helped to do so. It's a win-win....happy individual, increased tax revenue. Of course this type of service would cost money and I doubt there are any central funds available to pay for it.

It's a vicious circle and I have no answers.

for everyone who is coping with illness and disabiliy in their lives.

undramatic just a shame the points aren't awarded honestly really.

lurked I know, like I said earlier you should be able to live anywhere in the UK and have the same outcome

I don't think it's even down to UK location undramatic. Of the two assessment centres nearest, I've seen and heard very different outcomes.

Shit, that's awful. Perhaps it's down to who assesses you then. I've heard it can range from paramedics (considered the fairest from what I've heard and experienced) to midwives, physios and OT's how on earth they can be consistent when they've come from such a range of backgrounds is beyond me.

I always find these BUT IM DISABLED AND LOOK WHAT I CAN DO posts really awkward. Whether intentional or not, they always have an undercurrent of THINK POSITIVE AND YOU CAN ACHIEVE and IF I CAN DO THIS SO CAN YOU.

I can focus on all the things I COULD do until I'm blue in the face but no amount of positive thinking and focusing on that will resurrect the dream career, or make someone hire me for a shitty nmw job over someone who can regularly turn up to work, actually do the job and not create more work than they do.

Goldie We definitely need to invest more in helping people like you - but maybe not with your skillset or income - to be able to work if they can.
You have a right to be very proud of your achievements

However, we must also accept and support those who will never be able to work, who will never be able to retrain / get a postgrad degree / move house /.... the solutions trotted out every time by some posters.
Good advice for some, but not remotely feasible for many with disabilities.

Your employer sounds brilliant, but exceptional: flexitime v rarely lets you go down to a 2-hr day at need.

You must be in demand, or they are very enlightened.

undramatic in part, yes who assesses you, and how much pressure it was possible to exert on them to falsify the results. I think it also comes down to the applicant themselves and how much they think they can get away with.

Don't know the people involved so only going off hearsay, but I've been told that there are times the assessment is redone if the hcp has scored too highly, without the re- marker even meeting the applicant. Or a second assessment done when the first scores too high.

Again no evidence, and could just be Chinese whispers. But wouldn't suprise me at all.

I've heard the same. I suffered on my assessment because I presented myself too well (I'm used to doing the brave face, smile, show time thing each day) and the assessor even said to me in my assessment to be honest, don't mask it, drop the facade you need to. A lot of people with disabilities spend so long pretending and masking their difficulties that when they're asked to be honest about them it's far too painful. and also a really odd feeling to do so. I was docked marks for being able to hold a conversation with a stranger (I have severe anxiety and depression alongside my physical issues, they're interlinked) and for driving myself to the assessment.

When my award comes up for renewal I'm going to request a home assessment because the place I had mine in was filled with air fresheners and strip lighting. I had driven myself there but needed to get a lift home due to a thumping migraine.

Pleased to hear Dame Tanni Grey- Thompson opposing the benefit changes on radio4 this morning.

The benefits assessments really don't seem to accommodate people with mental health problems (I know it is dreadful for people with physical disabilities as well). My brother has had chronic schizophrenia since his late teens (in his 30s now) and lives in sheltered housing. His hallucinations/ delusions have been well controlled for a number of years by antipsychotics. People knowledgeable about schizophrenia are well aware of the other symptoms that can't be so well treated and for him make a job currently impossible. He gets ESA (Wrag) and attends all his appointments and has started a once a week volunteer role with a disability group. What no one sees is the huge amount of time my parents put into getting him to these activities. The next day he is wiped out and will sleep for 24 hours. If they weren't there he would do none of these things and he would be completely incapable of negotiating the benefits system. I suspect that without family support he would end up sectioned or homeless. Yet the assessment seems mainly interested in assessing a limited set of physical skills. I dread his ESa being reassessed because last time he only won on appeal.

My DS will never be able to hold down a job, he has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, permanently in a wheelchair and a mental age of around 4. I dread what could happen to him once we are no longer around to support him and negotiate the benefits system for him. DS has been receiving the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance.

We have been notified by letter that the Disability Living Allowance is being phased out and replaced by the Personal Independence Payment (I find the new phraseology suspect but maybe that's just me?) Apparently this new benefit will 'target help on those that need it most'; isn't that just doublespeak, another way of saying that many people who currently receive DLA will not qualify for PIP and lose their benefits?)

The letter states that when our DS reaches 16 his DLA will come to an end and then he will need to decide if he wants to claim PIP (no explanation as to how a child in DS position gets to make such a decision/what to do if not capable of applying). So even though nothing has changed re DS issues and never will, we have to apply all over again, have to justify his entitlement to benefits all over again & go through all the form filling.

Some of my own family voted for this government & I am ashamed and sad to say that I feel quite bitter towards them as a result. I am really scared for DS future in this country.

It's your family who should feel ashamed, Living not you. They must know about your sons needs and their treatment of disabled people. Yet they still ticked the box to vote them back in, so of course you're bitter. It's understandable

Living their voters should be hanging their heads in shame. The next government needs to utterly reverse this and reinstate DLA.

My husband found the letter 'sinister'.

Its cause they'll be thinking "oh it wont affect real disabled people like living jr, just all those shammers"

My son has ASD, ADHD and learning difficulties, he is in a special school and I worry so much about the future for him.

He's chatty enough that people do not always realise he has an issue (until the spend an hour with him talking at them about Gaming).

What is his future under the current system?

I want him to work, I am hoping that he can learn a skill which will help him be self employed and self sufficient. He will always need support though.

joffrey they don't need to reinstate DLA they need to create an assessment standard for PIP that is missing.

Well said goldierocks My DP has a disability. He receives the highest rate of DLA and is also a highest rate taxpayer.

Many people with chronic pin do work. Just to correct an assumption made by an earlier poster.

Living This is the aspect that concerns me most of all: those who are seriously disabled, but with noone to fight their corner.

I know parents try to make plans for what happens after they are no longer around, or become too old & frail to remain a carer.
However, whatever can substitute for a devoted parent ?

Most want to avoid asking another child to be a lifelong carer to their sibling.
Hence, comprehensive support in the community / sheltered accommodation would be best - provided the individual agrees
(I've been reading the thread from a sister at breaking point, whose brother refuses even to accept he has SN and he won't consider state help)

I remember (growing up in the dinosaur age) that those with disabilities were put into large institutions once their family could no longer cope. Shut out of sight from us all.
If it's cheaper to warehouse them, due to economies of scale, is this their future ? A lower quality of life though, I'd have thought, so it is a worrying prospect.

The cheapest option for them is the one we have now by default: totally inadequate support, so the most vulnerable - and expensive - die off.

It is very upsetting because it is as though all the advances made in the treatment of the disabled and vulnerable in recent decades, are being lost and as a civilised society we have just gone into reverse. Many people I speak to just don't realise how bad things are getting, they really think that the 'genuinely' disabled are provided for and only the so called 'scroungers' are losing out.