representing yourself?

Hi,
I have an imminent DLA tribunal I'm going for MRC and LRM it's a new claim and I have lots of evidence, but I'm losing faith in my representative, I'm sure she's competent but she just seems overstretched and stressed and non commital.

I have a diagnosis of paranoid shchizophrenia and depression my condition fluctuates so currently my brain works and I can function relatively well.
I'm just wondering if by representing myself I am doing myself a diservice ie by apppearing lucid capable and intelligent.
Has anyone any experience with this?


Also can you tell me if a friend who will be acting as a witness can prompt me??

The whole thing has got me so stressed and I'm sure on the day I will be in bits.
He has legal training and is very familiar with my case/condition.


What do I need to know in order to represent myself?

I understand that for MRC I have to make a case for constant supervision preventing me from psychosis and the dangers that poses,
I'm not quite so sure how mobility works.
At times I have problems with lack of motivation to get out.

You mention elsewhere on this site that certain issues have to be raised if you have no representative can you tell me what those are?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Constant doesn't mean non-stop. It can be at intervals.

If you go to tribunal and you are "with it" on the day but this is not how you are all the time, then it is important to let the tribunal know this. The tribunal members may or may not understand that schizophrenia can be an episodic condition.

It's fine to have a friend with you to support you.

I'm don't have the detailed knowledge of tribunals that the other mods have, so hopefully one of them will be along soon to offer more advice.

thank you

LRM is about needing supervision when you are in unfamiliar places. You don't have to need supervision every time you go out, just most of the time. You might need supervision, for example, if your symptoms distract you so that you're not aware of traffic danger.

would prompting due to lack of motivation count for supervision?
I work 16 hrs a week as a pa for a woman w physical disabilities, but working w her gets me out and about where normally I wouldn't have the motivation

I haven't come across anything that would support the proposition that needing someone to get you out and about would count for LRM.