ellisisamazing

Jen, You are in my thoughts, hope it all works out positively for you! <'> Lisa xx

Hi Di! <'> The forms have probably arrived quicker because on reapplication/reconsideration the forms have to be filled in and recieved back by DWP within 28 days of the request for the forms! So time is of the essence! Which it's not when you're waiting for THEM though, is it?! As for the "please tell us why you didn't contact us sooner" part....just explain that this is a reapplication/reconsideration based on original appeal/award that you are disputing. Also in the "diary" I sent I explained the impact that El's lack of sleep had on US all....that I was sleep deprived, had constant colds, my OH works very long hours and he was suffering with exhaustion during the day, that he was stressed and had been on Anti-D's for several months (even gave his GP details so they could verify this!) and that our daughter was also losing sleep, also that me and OH hadn't shared a room for weeks as El was in with me to keep him safe and stop him running amok and flooding the house out!. In your case, your elder son I imagine has lost sleep?? And that he is studying and needs a quiet space sometimes (I know this sounds mad cause a higher award won't be respite, but it does emphasise that your family is in need and is not anything like a NT 2.4 family, IMO! Hope you don't mind me saying you have a 'different' family, but well we do..don't we all?!) Loads of luck Di! Lisa xxx <'>

Di, Good Luck! You know I had a bit of an ordeal with the DWP too?, well why not do as I did and write a diary over a week or two.....basically some 'snapshots' of your day to day living and all the things you have to do from morning till night....it can only help to support the DLA forms, it worked for us, as you know. Also add in what it is like to try and do all the average things like shopping trips, and how stressful and time consuming everything is! It 'personalises' everything and I think it definately will help you, I felt bad writing all the negatives down and I also said that in my submissions, but kept stressing how much Ell means to me and us all in our family and how we just wanted the best for him and what was fair and right for his needs. Take Care Lisa <'>

I have done a lot of shopping in the last few days so I feel pretty calm! I am normally all last minute, but decided to try and get it done early! Have wrapped and noted down what I have purchased and will wrap as I buy, easier and less stressful than mass wrapping, for Adults, I simply wrap each gift (depending on size) in plain coloured tissue paper and then pop it in a gift bag. Cards will done in next two weeks! Childrens Christmas Day outfits and mine too are ironed and in covers hanging up already! Hope to do final stuff by end of November, then only food to worry about a few days before the big day! OH birthday end of November, I haven't a clue what to buy!

Hi Pearl! <'> Not been here in a while.......family stuff! But will write a very long PM to you when I get a minute, so please be prepared to be bored stupid on Sunday! Have a wonderful time with Mr Pearl and CONGRATULATIONS!!! I have nothing valuable to add about London, seeing as I never seem to even get to the end of our road these days! Two days of lovely Museums, Galleries, Culture, Good Food, A Lovely Hubby and the best of all........Retail Therapy, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! You both deserve it!!! JP will be fine as usual......it's his Mother you have watch out for!!!

Hi di30 I called the Tax Credits number after the confirmation call for El getting HRC last Thursday 4th October, he recieved Backdated DLA on Tuesday 9th October and his backdated Tax Credits on Wednesday 10th October, both into my bank account, so it was very quick for us. Call them back, I'm sure they are open today till midday. Good Luck Lisa xx <'>

Thanks OCG! <'> Will just have a peep! Lisa xx

Bid, Any child on DLA gets the extra CTC (disability element), but there is another extra extra bit for being on High Rate Care.

Thanks Cat! Really appreciate hearing this 'positive' news! Lisa xx <'>

Thanks everybody!!! <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> I would be happy to be forum 'rep'!!! I am like a boil on the bum that won't go away when I get on my high horse......PERSISTANT!! I am not really aware of the MOTOBILITY scheme, but will have a look at that, too......thanks!! Lisa xx

Thanks Annie! It has taken a while to go through the appeal process, but I am delighted I pursued it! Oh, and backdated to June also! Lisa xx

As I informed you all on here just five days ago, El was finally awarded High Rate Care last thursday and the jury was still out on the Mobility but I just had another call from them and he has got High Rate Mobility too!! It was so worth all the hours spent putting together the hard facts. I am delighted for him, this will make life easier! Lisa xx Oh, and his CTC has increased too, cos of the HRC, and my bank balance is bulging on El's behalf this morning!

Hi Kathy! Welcome to our lovely place! I hope you find support and some laughs here....I am sure that you will, we're a good bunch! Lisa xx <'>

Yeah, me too. Thinking of you OCG and wishing all is well for you both... Lisa xx <'> <'>

Loving it!

Very cute, and what lovable, beautiful little ones you have! Lisa xx

Thanks Pauline! <'> Wishing you lots of luck too, and much success!! Try as I did..pester them with update calls! Lisa xx

You're welcome, Pingu! <'> You must keep up the good work and finish this book! And yes, I do the "oh no, why me? why can't I have normaility?" thoughts from time to time, but I think feeling like that sometimes is to be expected.....Living with and around ASD is not easy, but it is totally unique and brings a range of emotions I never knew I could feel for another person, the fact El has ASD has had a profound effect on me, and silly as it sounds has made me a nicer and better person. El came into my life and made it worth something......I wouldn't change a thing! .....and so you should be proud, "your World" is fantastic! <'> Lots of love to all the pingus! <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> Lisa xx

Pingu, I really enjoyed that, you write in a lovely style <'> I would definately buy your book! I also had a look at your Hubs myspace and I think you have a beautiful family, and a fabby husband who is playing his part, he is obviously so very proud of all you....I think that is lovely! Even tough we had El's dx two years ago, it all still feels quite new for my hubby and he does have difficulty with some aspects of El's ASD and how to relate to him, that and the fact he is something of a 'closed book' doesn't always help, though he does try! Keep on with the book! Lisa xx

Quick Update!! Yes!!!!!!!!!!!! El got HIGH RATE CARE!!!! The jury's still out on the HIGH RATE MOBILITY, but we will know in a few more weeks about that, but he does currently recieve LRM so we are happy enough! It has taken 8 weeks from beginning off appeal and my big letter (encylopaedia!!), and lots of phone calls from me asking for updates! A personal phone call from a lovely DLA lady yesterday sealed the deal, and all backadated to June 2007, as that was when El's previous MRC ward was valid from! So happy to finally get High Rate!!! And all valid now till 2018!!

StressedMum, Thank You, I am delighted! I just stated on the DLA forms that El's ASD and other needs are permanent and are not going anywhere and that I found it unneccessary to have to redo the dreaded froms every two years, based on that comment they awarded till age 12 and after today's phonecall when I reiterated it to the lovely DLA lady, she agreed it was long term and so gave us the award for a further 4 years on top of the original award! If you feel that your duties and care giving are out of the criteria for the rate your child is awarded then go for it, at least contact the DWP to inform them just what you do and what do they think? They have been really helpful to my surprise! Lisa xx <'> Also big thanks and big kegs of wine for Pearl, Elun and nic!!! <'> <'> <'> di30 <'> , Bless you! Thanks for your good wishes and I really hope you can do something to ensure that your dear boy recieves the award that he deserves and that you are more than fulfilling your part for. I know you are a hardworking, devoted, lovely mum who goes the extra mile and then some, and it makes me so mad hearing your story..... :wallbash:very unfair! Luv Lisa xxx <'> A magnum of champers for you!

Aaah Clare, that's brilliant!!! <'> Well Done to you too! I just hope di30 can do something about her predicament, her outcome seemed very unfair to me. Yes, and it's great when you get an emphatic person dealing with you and they don't make you feel like you are begging. The last time I called up for a progress update the Rep told me I should be grateful for what we were already recieving!!!! The darn cheek, you'd have thought it was her personally paying El! I agree them forms are evil, I have 11 years to mentally prepare myself this time, hahaha! Lisa xx

Thanks Clare, I too, think it really helped having that phonecall, it was unexpected by me and El is off school today with a tummy bug, so was in the room with me making lots of his grunty noises which the DLA lady heard! I had submitted the original DLA forms plus over 6 A4 pages of data for the reconsideration appeal, so they had a pretty good picture of our life, but I believe the phone call set the stone for us! Have you been successful too, Clare?!! Lisa xx

Well Done!

Enjoy your time out! <'> Take care Lisa xx