Hello,

I am in the process of appealing the decision on my application for DLA. At the moment I receive low rate care but Welfare Rights are helping me to appeal in the hope that I will be awarded something for mobility and perhaps middle rate care.

I am now waiting for my hearing with HM Courts and Tribunals Service and Welfare Rights have written to my Rheumy Consultant for evidence.

They asked him specific questions about my ability to walk, what the cause of my restrictions are, how far I can walk and at what speed. They also asked for any other information such as restrictions I have with self care and what treatment I am receiving.

This is the reply.

"Thanks for your request for a report on this lady. She suffers from an inflammatory arthropathy and currently has some foot symptoms which I am in the process of investigating. Unfortunately we do not routinely record the functional information that you request however I enclose a photocopy of her self administered health assessement questionalrre from 4/8/11"

I feel let down as I have, on at least 2 occasions in the past, given him details of how all of my joints are feeling and how it affects me and my life.

Have any of you had the same happen and how did you cope with it?

I do have supporting letters from my GP and Occupational Therapist. I have now asked my podiatrist if she would reply to a request for information from Welfare Rights and she said yes.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Karen

Thanks for your reply Rich, and good luck with your meeting on Friday.

I have only met my Rheumy nurse once as, because my RA has never really been under control, the consultant sees me every 3-4 months. However, I always come away from the consultations feeling rushed and confused and my GP does not seem to get much detailed info from him other than when to change medications. The one thing he is good at is sending me for scans. In 3 years I have had 3 or 4 wrist mri scans, both feet mri scanned and a full body bone scan. However, at the next consultation, I never feel that I have had the results explained to me properly. My husband always attends the consultations with me and he comes away as frustrated as I do. We are "dismissed" and are back in the hospital corridor before we realise what has happened!

My GP has, so far, been very supportive so I am lucky there and I presume that for the future I would nominate her as my HCP if she is willing.

Again, good luck on Friday.

Karen

Hi Karen
I am in the process of waiting to hear from the dla with regard to my appeal I have been turn down twice because I can virtually able to walk. I force myself to walk in pain and feel as if someone has put a brick in my shoe but the faceless people say I can walk I now want my day in court to fight these people.
Good luck with your case