We need DLA mobility part for some under 3's

[sleepysox]

The Disability Living Allowance has 2 parts- a care part and a mobility part.

Children have to be over 3 to get the mobility component of the DLA. In a nutshell, this is because a child who can't walk isn't considered to have special needs in the area until they are 3 or above. Up until this point, they could be classed a late developer.

However, children who are under 3 often need special needs buggies due to having low muscle tone etc and needing lots of support for their bodies. These buggies are huuge and don't fit in the boot of an average size car and the mobility component can provide a car in some instances.

So I'm asking for your support to ask the government to look into each case individually, like they do with the blue badge scheme, so that children who need a special needs buggy early can also claim mobility.

In my case, DS has a sn buggy because he has low muscle tone amongst other things (he has a rare brain condition and associated conditions), he's 15 months old. We got given the smallest, lightest sn buggy on the market, and it doesn't fit into the boot of our average sized family car. Not to sound overly dramatic, but we have no way of transporting the pushchair around, as it doesn't fit in our boot, and can't go onto the back seat due to 2 carseats being there. It doesn't fit in our roof box either.

So, I feel there's sometimes situations where people with disabled kids under the age of 3 require the mobility component of the DLA.

Mumsnet have said they'll back this campaign if we get enough responses, so please consider giving your support and responding to this thread.

Even if your child doesn't have additional needs, please consider the points I've made.

Thank you for your support.

[tallwivglasses]

'this post of mine is rapidly sounding like a cheesy charity ad!!' - immediately made me think of mournful piano music and noir-esque shadows so beloved of charity ads

I added support to a thread on chat but thought I'd just add - when ds (asd) was younger, taking him anywhere on public transport was a nightmare - all that waiting, crowds, noise, etc. We were nearly bankrupted by taxi-fares! Mobility component made all the difference.

[sleepysox]

tallwivglasses- we def need a puke emoticon!

I hadn't even thought of kids with ASD who don't like noise etc and need taxis. DS1 hates noise as he has SID, but as DS2 suffers from sustained vomitting and we can't fit his pushchair in the car, we don't really go anywhere. Lucky really!

[daisy5678]

Can we combine this with a general don't remove DLA for kids campaign? As the Gov't are consulting on whether or not to get rid of DLA for kids until mid-February and replace it with something cheaper shitter scarier different (the Personal Independence Payment) which, I hear, could result in children losing entitlement to mobility cars anyway unless they need physically adapted ones. Well, that rules out ASD, but you try getting my child on a bus or train - too many buttons to press!

So I will, of course, support the OP, but it would be nice to combine it with a more generalised campaign about kids' DLA, especially as the OP's issue will be irrelevant if they fuck about with change or get rid of DLA for kids like they are for adults.

[chatee]

i agree and back your campaign

[tallwivglasses]

givemesleep fuckin' hell

Oh god, surely it's time to take to the streets. There's all these student uprisings yet no shouty in-your-face TV coverage for us! (Think this has been mentionned before today - Riven?)

But we're all too knackered or we couldn't get to the rally anyway!

I'm too old to start a campaign but will happily support anything along these lines.

[sleepysox]

Have you got any links, givemesleep? I haven't found anything pertaining to children, but am too knackered to research properly, so if you could point me in the right direction ...

[tallwivglasses]

sleepy, you're a star. You've worked hard today

[sleepysox]

Ooh thanks :o

You're a star too :)

I'm polishing my halo as we speak ...

[chorltonandthewheelies]

Hi sleepy sox we are currently in a legal battle with the government about this issue and have been for 5& years now. If you google Justin meek, daily record, or Justin meek contact a family, or justin meek you and yours you can see what has happened so far; we are currently awaiting appeal at the court of session in Edinburgh. If you want to get any more info please feel free to contact me
We met with David Cameron and got a lot of empty promises

[daisy5678]

Yep, here www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2010/dla-reform.shtml

Tis quite depressing though. Can't find the thing about cars specifically but will keep looking through my history. I always forget to bookmark.

[borderslass]

You have my support on this as well.

[sleepysox]

GIvemesleep, I think that's a good idea. Can you help think of a sentence summing up what our campaign will be?
Or anyone else?
EG 'WE need DLA mobility for some under 3's and we want the same level of DLA to remain for children, when the new system comes into force.'
Is this the right message?

Chorlton: I'll cat you so we can discuss. All I can say is WOW! I've googled what you said and I'm in awe of what you've done so far.

[missismonky]

You have my full support. Thanks for bringing this to people's attention.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

you have my support. If it's worth anything.

[sleepysox]

Thanks, everyone's support is worth lots :)

If you could all pass the message around about this thread, I'd be grateful, as I keep bumping in chat, but am getting fewer responses now.

[tallwivglasses]

I'll pass it on to local special needs network.

Have you called contact a family, local newspapers, BBC Ouch, scope, mencap, etc?

PM me if you need contacts x

[sleepysox]

Thanks tallwivglasses.

No I haven't passed it on yet. I hadn't even thought of them tbh. Life is a bit knackering atm with 1 sn kid and one disabled baby, plus working too. It's report writing season at school, so I'm maxed out!

I'll pm you in the morning, as I would love a list of contacts.

Thank you again:)

[tallwivglasses]

No rush, just when you've got the time, we'll sort it x

[glimmer]

Yep. Count me in.

[Glitterknickaz]

I would back this campaign, BUT feel that preventing DLA from being abolished is equally important so I'm starting another thread here. I think they are both very important issues.

[sleepysox]

Glitterknickaz, about 8 posts above this one, I mentioned we should combine trying to campaign against the abolishment of DLA for kids, in response to givemesleep's suggestion.

Shall we combine, or would you prefer to keep them separate?

[TheMeow]

You have my support XXX

[coppertop]

Another bump!

[auntevil]

Definitely support here. My DS is dyspraxic. At age 3, although he could walk he got very tired very quickly. Because of his height, he was in age 6 clothes. Could you imagine trying to fit a SN buggy into the back of the car for him?!
Doesn't 'Every Child matter' ?