I am 36 yrs old & was born with a congenital dislocated hip. As a child I attended hospital appointments, as I had years of being in casts. It was established at the age of 11 that I be dismissed from hospital as they could do nothing else for me.
Since then my condition has worseded & I now have arthritis in my lower back & right hip.
I was sent for x-rays from my doctor & it was established that I did have arthritis & I needed physio. Physio, didn't really help as I also have 1 leg shorter than the other (I had no balance when doing the physio) so I was given a heel raise of 1.5" to wear in my shoe & discharged from the hospital's physio department.
I now get incapacity benefit & the last time I had to go for a medical was around 8 years ago (I was sent a medical form to fill in around 5 yrs ago & got a letter back saying they will contact me Dec 2008)
My arthritis has worsened & I now find it uncomfortable during the night & I end up going "walkabout" as it's too painful.
I don't know if I should apply for DLA as back in 1996 my daughter was diagnosed with Leukaemia & turned down! The hospital social worker re-applied again for us & she was finally awarded it.
SO, I'm thinking, if they turn down a child with cancer, what hope do I have with arthritis?
I also suffer with depression, which is related to other issues & my arthritis.
Many thanks & sorry that this is a long post.