My first real help, was being able to have a motability car. This car is provided by the government, in exchange for the mobility portion of my Disabily Living Allowance. I should explain to those of you who are not familiar with this allowance. It is an allowance given to those with difficulties, and who need help, either with getting around, or with personal care, and is given inthose two parts. The part which helps with mobility, can be given up in respect of a car being provided, maintained and taxed. It can be driven by the disabled person, or by their "carer" whether that be partner, family member or other designated person, but it only for the use of the disabled person, and their needs.
The personal care part of the allowance, is to pay for someone to help withpersonal care, ie getting meals, personal hygiene etc. Their criteria being pretty restrictive, though the care has to be needed, it doesn't necessarily have to be actually given. The care allowance is calculated in two parts, day care, and night-time care. It does not include help with household chores or shopping.
Forms for application for this allowance, are available from your Social Security office.
Another help with getting around comes in the form of an "Orange Badge" which is also available through Social Services, it gives special concessions to parking, meaning that your car can be parked at some places where others cannot park, ie on double yellow lines, for a period of time, or for unlimited time, in places which have time restrictions for other users. This can be a great help, when walking is extremely limited.
Wheelchairs, my present bugbear!!! Though my General Practitioner, and Physiotherapist both see a need for me to have one provided, my county (this varies from county to county) does not provide a wheelchair, unless the person requires it both indoors and out. As my house is only small, I can move around with the aid of the furniture, so do not need a wheelchair for use indoors.
Social Services recommend I buy a wheelchair, as the most basic wheelchair will cost in the region of �200 plus (at current prices), I find that is outside of my financial reach, therefore I have had to look around for other means of aquiring one. After searching, I find that The Red Cross will provide a wheelchair, on loan, for short periodical use. In my area, this period is of six weeks.
Social Services, after being referred to, can also provide other aids, these are many and vary according to your disability, and problems it causes you. Your allocated Occupational Therapist will discuss this with you during a meeting,at your home, where you can ascertain what your needs are, and what aids are available to help with these. There are also people working for Social Services,
who can come to your home, to advise of any changes which could be made to your home, or to your working methods, which would make your life easier and more enjoyable. How helpful this team are, I have yet to find out personally.
Whilst on the subject of help, let's not forget the emotional difficulties which can arise, and did in my case most definitely. That feelings can often get the better of you, can often cause great upset, I found the best way of dealing with my emotions, was to enlist the help of a counsellor. I asked my GP to refer me to a counsellor, after counselling others in my working life, I knew how helpful they could be, in assisting feelings to be overcome, that is to be dealt with,and come to terms with, and not to overtake your very being.
I worked with my counsellor, and talked it over with family and friends, which
all helped to put things into perspective for me. My feelings were understood,
and I could move on.
This page was created 05/01/01 - 10:52:30