HI I'm New

[ainebear]

Hey my little girl aged 9 months has got DDH and is going to get fitted for her spica cast now on Monday (2nd attempt-long story) anyway she has also just been diagnosed by the CDC with mild hemiplegia (cerebal palsy) apparently the 2 are not related but anyway now she's goin into cast for 6 months she's going to be delayed with her OT etc for the other problem nothing we can do about that cause we need to fix her hip first. But is anyone out there have the same situation as I feel ok by I know I'm hanging in there by a thread at the minute (can't sleep) we got a taste of what the cast was like a fornight ago but then the xray she recieved before being discharged showed that the hip was back out. I was due to go back to work a few weeks ago but now can't as I'll have noone to help out with LO. I have seen on other sites that i may be entitled to extra benefits for my child but when do you apply, how do you apply noone from the medical profession has told me to apply so do I not qualify??

hello and welcome to the sn topic

Welcome to the SN board, i'm sure you will get lots of great advice here (i have).

You can apply for DLA here and you may be entitled to carers allowance (but you need to clam DLA first)

hi i am a mum to a girl who was born with cdh and was also later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, there are lots of threads on this site with info about dislocated hips and hip spica casts - not as many with the two conditions together,try searching with my user name and use dates from last summer as i know there were a few new mums going through hip spica at this time

if you wish to ask any more just post again here and i will try to help with my experiences

ps: i went back to work and my dd certainly enjoyed her time at a cm's as there was so much to watch and stimulate her- so don't panic all is not lost....oh and now you can apply for a blue badge(parking disc for disabled)this was introduced last year.

also check out the steps website they have pretty good info too

take care and remember to enjoy your baby they are only little for a short time

ainebear, welcome! Quite a lot to take in, I should imagine.

WRT benefits:

DLA - you can claim once your child has needed additional help for 3 months, so claim right away. Always phone for a pack, rather than doing it online, because then the award will backdate to the date you requested the pack as long as you submit the form by the deadline given.

You will not qualify for the mobility element until your DD is 3. But you can qualify for the care component.

Phone tax credits also to log that you are applying. That way they will backdate any additional DLA beyond the three month deadline if the DWP take ages to process your claim.

Carer's allowance - you can claim if your DD is awarded middle or high rate care and you earn less than £95 per week.

Family fund - a charity that gives grant to families with children who have disabilities and are on a low (ish) income - limit is between £23k-£25k.