I have not claimed anything off of the government as I wanted to deal with my MS on my own and without assistance. I was wrong!!
I’ve been on Tysabri for 6 months now but unfortunately I’ve just had another relapse (6 in less than a year).
My mobility is now poor. I walk with a stick or crutches all the time or grab things so I don’t stumble. I try not to use the wheelchair to often (its a pride thing but im losing the battle). My memory is poor, my use of directions is crap yet I’m perfectly safe driving (doing something I’ve done for nearly 30 years is easy) yet I need to get an automatic car as pressing the clutch is difficult now.
Due to my hip replacements we already have handles over the bath and toilet and rail down to the garden. I live in a bungalow anyway.
The PIP stuff scares the hell out of me and as I work full time and can just about bath and dress myself, I guess I’m not entitled to anything.
Hello,I would in your position apply for PIP,I would ask your local welfare rights branch to help fill the documents in as it can look quite daunting,I filled my last application in myself as I had used welfare rights previously.i am also a member of the Benefits and Work site and this gives lots of support in completing your PIP application including a points scoring check.I would also suggest you get as much supporting evidence as possible such as a letter from the MS nurse,OT,Physio you may be using as the more info to support your case the better it is.
I have just had to reapply for PIP again as was sent the form. Great I thought but it actually wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be once I got started. Had lots of supporting letters to put in and posted it yesterday. So it’s just wait and see now. I do use some aides but get lots of help from my partner.
Yes, it’s worth applying for PIP. The mobility component is divided in two. The enhanced rate is granted to people who can’t walk more than 20 metres. The standard rate is for those who can walk up to 50 metres. The test is not only can you walk that distance but can you do it ‘safely, reliably and repeatedly’. Using whatever aids you need to do so, ie stick, crutches, walker. So if you can do it once and then need a long rest, then you should be able to qualify. And 50 metres is a longer distance than you might think.
The problem for people like us who have fluctuating conditions is that you need to also work out how frequently you have walking problems, if it’s all day, everyday then say so. If it’s about 80% of the time, then say that too. Don’t fall into the trap of ‘filling in the form as if it’s the worst day’, don’t forget they are likely to call you for an assessment and if it’s not the absolute worst day when you’re assessed, you look like you’re exaggerating (at best).
I’m assuming you aren’t looking particularly for help with the daily living component (washing, dressing, cooking, eating, using the toilet etc).
By the way, getting an automatic car is an excellent plan. It can be a bit dodgy using a clutch sometimes if your left leg is unreliable. Plus, if in the future you find using the accelerator and/or brake becomes difficult, you can get hand controls fitted to an automatic. And it’s easier to drive with hand controls than you might think. I did it for years.
Get an automatic!
Better yet, get a diesel automatic since they are much easier at low speeds and parking.
All you have to learn is the technique of slowing down on the throttle about a hundred yards earlier.
If you have cruise control on your present car, you can get a taste of hand control with that (set the speed, switch off instead of braking, switch back on to accelerate) (now you will see where the “slow down earlier” comes in).
I was lucky in that I switched to autos nearly twenty years back.
I was spending too much time in the US driving rental cars, and found it so easy that wI went and got one.
When the MS hit, and the left leg stopped co-operating, I just carried on driving.
Now, the only problem I have is getting in and out.
I agree with Dr Geoff. Get an automatic, makes life so much simpler. I went from manual to auto when my left foot started slipping off the clutch at inconvenient (dangerous) times. Drove an unadapted auto for several years, then when my right foot started behaving unpredictably, had a driving assessment before changing to hand controls. In fact at the assessment centre they said my reaction times (with my right foot) were still just about legal, but I made the decision anyway. I think when you’ve been driving a long while and are a responsible person, you know when it’s time to change.
Nowadays I don’t drive at all. Partly it’s due to not being able to get down a slope to the car and get me & wheelchair into the car, then out at the other end and actually do anything. Partly also because I’m not certain my reaction times are quick enough with hands lets alone feet. And also I have an OH who is happier driving.
[quote=“ggood”] The good doctor should advise that bin lorry driver who killed 6 people because he had blackouts; perhaps he did; get real people…
George [/quote]
And your point is … … ?
There is, of course, no comparison between someone who may have concealed a previous blackout (a very much illegal act, if true) and someone with MS who has declared this.
Declare your MS and you go onto a 3 year licence. The DVLA may want information from your GP or neurologist before deciding to grant such a licence, but the condition per se is not a disqualification.
An HGV or PSV driver is different.
The full text of the Government regulations is available on line - those who can read may do so if they wish. There is a great difference between the rules for car drivers and HGV drivers.
The driver in Glasgow quite clearly knew this. He knew that a DVLA notification would have had his licence pulled immediately, and would probably have cost him his job.
My advice to anyone (with MS or not) is simple - if you don’t think you are safe to drive, then stop. If you need adaptions, then get them. If a simple thing like changing from manual to automatic transmission will do the job, then change. Regular readers of this forum will know that I have always advised the newly Dx-ed to notify both DVLA and their Insurance Company right away.