Since being diagnosed, Lynne has broken bones after falling on a number of occasions. Three years ago, she broke her leg in two places and was in a cast for 16 weeks. And last year, she had 16 falls. She constantly worries about falling and getting injured.
When Lynne was transferred from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), her mobility entitlement was downgraded. She challenged this decision and was unsuccessful, so she contacted the DWP. Lynne’s case was looked into, and it turned out doctors’ letters submitted as part of her application had not been looked at. Another mandatory reconsideration was put through, and as a result Lynne was awarded the higher rate for mobility.
Lynne says:
Applying for PIP was a nightmare. I felt like the assessor didn’t understand my condition at all. My mobility entitlement was downgraded, and when I challenged the decision it came back unchanged. I spoke to someone on the phone, but he was very abrupt and I felt like he was reading answers from his screen. I felt very stressed, and didn’t want to go to a tribunal to prove my disability.
Lynne adds:
I would like assessors to have a better understanding of what disabled people have to cope with. My assessor stated that l could walk between 30 and 60 metres with no problem, but she didn’t see me walk anywhere. The thing that upset me most was she said my limbs showed no sign of muscle wastage, despite no physical examination taking place. She was not medically trained and had no right to make that assumption about me. There are too many inaccuracies.