D-day looms as well - Mum knows best

I am an ex legal PA and precision was always expected of me. It is horrible being in somebody else's hands.Tribunal is happening in under 2 weeks so I thought, I'll go through my papers and pick out bits of evidence I might have missed.

A report, giving prognosis and EDSS of 6 came to light. I scanned it and sent it off to advisor. She advised not to send it to tribunal, that she had all she needed.

I feel very gloomy about the possible outcome (appeal WRAG to Support)but know that I could not have gone to appeal without professional support.

I know that if it goes badly, all is not lost and there is the next tribunal. I know that my rep knows all the ropes and is too hard pressed to tell me, but this wait, for me, is exquisite torture.

I know that most often welfare rights workers have a higher success rate and that is why I have stayed on this route, but find the passive role enrages a person who is used to being in control of their life.

I know how Jeff (of the D-day post)feels although mine is not a DLA claim. Good luck Jeff.

How old is the report ? it seems a good idea not to send it as average time at each level is 4 years ish

level six is "Intermittent or unilateral constant assistance (cane, crutch, brace) required to walk about 100 meters with or without resting"

IMO I doubt they would see a 100 meter walker as support group ? do you knowing how they think ?

i'm Primary Progressive MS, its been developing for 6-7 yrs but has been more degerative over past 2 years. Walking is difficult because of combined ataxia,spasticity and pain, also I cannot balance while walking. Other symptoms are sensory, severe spasm, numbness, burning and oedema and continence (both).

It may be that the advisor had the same reaction as yourself, that I wouldn't qualify for the support group with an EDSS of 6 and that is why she said "don't use the report".

The very reason I appealed was because it felt so dangerous (and exhausting) getting to the WRAG and I couldn't work out why ATOS thought my health would improve (in 6 months)with an untreatable and degenerating condition?

by the way, that report was made at time of diagnosis, over a year and half ago. I think the rate of acceleration of the various types varies, it feels as though degeration has been increasing over the past year or so, but I still take your point. An EDSS would have to be more specific, and probably an MS specific measurement taken to be relevant.

Hi, If you have incontinence regularly - would you not automatically go into the support group?
It seems amazing that they think you will be improved in 6 months!
Tilly
xx

rachel my gut feeling is the way the scale reads and the way it looks against guides for IB ect ( i know there is no connection) a 7 or 7.5 would be needed to get the other group

as for untreatable thats true but the unknown factor is speed of degenerating and everyones different and dwp staff dont guess (though it looks like it at times)