Soldier who lost leg in Afghanistan has his DLA axed

[royalscot]

I was thinking that there is this young man, otherwise healthy (presumably). Say that he moved next to you and you know nothing of him. You'd just see a young chap with a limp. (long trousers, most people don't like to have their prosthetics in full view). Young, healthy, but with a limp.

 

If you were to learn he was on disability benefits but not why, how many people would think him a fraudster and resent him milking the system?... Yep, thought so.

 

Food for thought, maybe. ;-)

 

 

 

100% In agreement

[jabba jones]

I rather understood that Jabba worked for them (as a DM) by the tone and use of words chosen. That's why I said "as a claimant". ;-)

 

I have worked within the DWP for many years in various jobs. I have been a DM in the past although never a DLA DM. For a long period of this time I WAS claiming DLA. Whilst my medical condition will never change, the way I manage it has. Despite having a long term award for DLA I reported my improvement, my claim was reviewed & disallowed. No medical, no Atos, just my review form & a DM.

 

So I do think i can see it from both sides. "Claimant" & "Pen pusher"!

 

As I tried to explain earlier the newspaper article reads to me that the soldier has (possibly) been too proud to admit his limitations on his review form & therefore the DM has disallowed his claim. It doesn't appear to mention him having a medical. If that is the case I would presume that if he asks for a reconsideration & this time provides full details of his problems the decision should be overturned. Just in time for the Daily Mirror to claim it was all down to them:rolleyes:.

[paulb1310]

When considering entitlement to the DLA mobility component the DM can take into account walking with an "aid or prosthesis". Therefore if this chap can walk without severe discomfort using his prosthesis then this might explain the decision however ludicrous it seems. It is all about distance, manner and speed of walking and always has been. However if this chap walks with his prosthesis and ends up with ulcers on the site of him amputation so that he cannot use the prosthesis for several days then that also has to be taken into account. It is not simple to claim DLA and I agree that as much detail as possible is needed on the form.

[callumsgran]

:lol: You don't have many dealings with them on a daily basis as a claimant, do you? Nice to see someone who still has such innocence.

 

Why don't you have a look at the ATOS threads we have going on here, and then still try to tell me it's not about money saving and keep a straight face?

Spot on

[royalscot]

*Bookie gets on war horse* (with difficulty)

 

and?... Do you know what his limp covers? cancer of the spine, degenerative spinal injuries, stroke, etc...?

 

Do you know what happens all of the time where you don't actually see him? Or how many painkillers he may be taking just to be able to carry out those outdoor activities you take for granted, including the driving? Or what kind of braces/surgical he may be wearing under his clothing to help him stand upright? Do you know what his nights are like and whether he has full bladder control or whether he manages to sleep at night at all? Have you seen him get in the bath?

 

No. You don't know. "as far as you can see", he "only has a limp" and that makes him a fraudster.

 

My son "only" has autism. Not even a limp. But it's unlikely he will ever be able to live on anything but benefits because of his lack of understanding of social behaviour, and he will need specialist care all of his life, despite the fact that his IQ is probably higher than yours and mine combined.

 

As for me, I could be your neighbour. I have the Motability car, and I have just driven back from Devon only last week. I have a garden, which I tend to to the best of my possibilities.

 

What you don't see are the days where I am completely housebound, the stack of graded medication, from "painful" to "unbearable, please shoot me now". You don't see the braces which cost me a fortune just to hold me up. Or the 4 different walking sticks I have to use at different times. Or the heated pads I have in the car, bed and chair to help relieve the constant misery. Or the TENS machines. Or the rails etc that my husband has installed to help me shuffle from bed to bath and back.

 

If I ever get dimed on by a nice neighbour like you, I am planning to take the whole paraphernalia to the DWP interview and dump it on their desk and then tell them to take me to court if they dare.

 

A wee update on my neighbour .....He was prosecuted as a " BENEFIT CHEAT " apparently he was watched over a number of weeks shoveling snow from his driveway and pavement areas , really fit and able guy , as i said ...............amazing eh !!!