Atos medical

I would really love to hear back from you .

Juleyxo

That is fact, we are all strangers to one another, but we use the information that we have gain from our own experiences and other peoples opinions. I found, and gain friends on here over the months, okay we never see one another "face-to-face", but does that really matter, we are here to help each other.

Come to think of it, I have never really thought about talking to strangers, then again no one knows who or even where you are, unless you actually state in a Private Message, I certainly would not post my full address on here. Take your time, Debbie your not being seen until January, and believe me it's not that bad at a "face-to-face" interview is not that bad, you'll probably find it is quite different to what you imagined, most people worry over it - even I did initially, I even appealed against the decision and won the case. The main reason my award was stopped  was because of my own doctor at the time. I had just moved and my medical records were still at my old doctors, so my new doctor filled the DWP questionaire in that I was fine walking around and in no pain. When I found this out, I wrote to my new doctor demanding an apology and that he should contact the DWP regarding all my problems, and medications I was on. My new doctor couldn't apologise enough after I pointed out what he had done.

Anyway, Debbie have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Regards,

Les.

I just read that you have been on Motability for about 20 yrs, I assume you meant the Mobility Component of DLA, Motability is the Finance Company for fleet vehicles. I just wondered why the DWP has not put you on DLA indefinitely, I assume you are on DLA and not PIP? I have been on DLA Mobility Component High Rate and Care Component Middle rate for about 30 years, but that changed recently to the Care Component High Rate as well, since I have become worse over the years. Good advice about keeping copies of all documents sent to the DWP, any additional sheets you attach should also be copied.

I have given up the Mobility Allowance for a vehicle on the Motability Scheme, they also pay 50% of a holiday if you want to go away as well. I did not find that out until last year, but unless you visit their website or have their magazines, you wouldn't know. Our first car on the scheme was a Mini Metro, box-standard no electric anything - but it got us from A to B. The problem over the years is I needed to take upto 3 mobile aids, so small cars were out of the question, the latest car we have is a Mitsubushi ASX3 which looks like a 4x4, big car and a big boot - well we can squeeze in my wheelchair and quadseat-push and thats the boot full, we had to remove the parcel shelf that gets in my the way and no way of shutting the hatch. And, we had to pay a deposit of £499 for that car. We did look at a Kia Sportage, one problem - it was too big to fit though our drive gates even if we pulled the side mirrors inward. Gawd, knows what car we will go for next, we did look at a Outlander - but the deposits on these cars is ridiculous

Regards,

Les.

Yes, we've had many cars on the Motability Scheme and grants are available, obviously you have to have a good reason for wantting larger cars. I know you cannot apply for a grant on the deposit, if you want a feature packed car when there is cheaper alternatives available.

The car we got now, is okay but we need the drop kerb extended, this is someething we can get down through the council, because it damages the tyres over prolonged bumps, it was recently checked by Kwik-Fit - but the drop kerb on the right of our drive is high up, so trying to spin the car around when idiots park on the otherside of the road, makes it a tight squeeze. We are applying for a grant through the council to have the kerb done, and the driveway widened. At the moment there is only about 4-6 inches either side of car, so its a tight squeeze. The only reason we paid the extra was because we needed a larger car, but wasn't sure how large until all my aids were delivered. So, we paid the £499.99 so we had the extra space and heated seats (that may sound stupid, but on just trips to appointments it helps my back pain!), and after the past few cars we've had parking sensors which is a godsend these days!. The idea of an in-car dash camera seems a good idea, we've seen so many stupid drivers thinking its clever by lane-jumping or overtaking on bends its unreal.

Just a quick note, if you have a car on the Motability Scheme, they give you aa £250 incentive fee if you take your car back in good condition, wear and tear is included. They will also give 50% off any Haven holiday as well, not sure if you knew that.

Regards,

Les.