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The DLA mobility component - tell us your story
Posted: 28th Oct 2010
Following Wednesday’s comprehensive spending review we’ve been overwhelmed with concerns about cuts to the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance for people in residential care.
For thousands of people with a learning disability the DLA mobility component is a lifeline, providing the money to see their family, take part in activities and live an independent life.
Without the mobility allowance many people with a learning disability will be stuck in their homes and excluded from society.
We’re urgently asking for more information from government about how this will affect people with a learning disability. And we’re also talking with other charities and organisations about what we can do about it.
We’ve heard dozens of stories already from people about how this cut will affect them and we want to collect as many as possible.
So please tell us below what how this cut will affect you or someone you know. In particular, we’d like to know what you spend the allowance on and the journeys you’ll need to do without if this cut goes ahead.
We’ll then give your stories to disabilities minister Maria Miller, so she can see for herself what this cut will really mean for people with a learning disability.
Comments
I have only just learned about this today – how sneaky! I too have a WAV paid for with my son’s disability payment. He was severely disabled – physically and mentally by a ruptured brain aneurysm at 30 years of age. Up until that fateful day, 13 August 2007, he had led a ‘normal’ life. Imagine the joy that he survived but the pain and suffering in the realisation that his disabilities were so profound, he had to be cared for in a care home. The WAV is wonderful – we can bring him home, we can take him out for lunch or afternoon tea, we can even take him out to meet some of his former mates in a local bar. He is now 33. Is the government saying that his life is now to be within the walls of a home? Yes, he can go on an occasional outing with the home but his wheelchair is large and it is understandable that his outings are less than for those who do not use wheelchairs. Anyway, they will also be cutting off our contact with him because we have both retired now and, although we could work out a bus route, it will take 2 or 3 times as long as it does now with his vehicle.
If there is any campaign, please let me join you.
The following describes how removing the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance for those in residential care proposed in the Spending Review will affect our son.
Simon is aged 29, has severe learning difficulties, mental age 2 and is autistic. He is physically fit and active and generally leads a happy life under the superb care he receives from dedicated staff at Ashfield Court, Sutton in Ashfield. The care home comprises 4 bungalows each with 6 residents. Each bungalow has a vehicle to provide transport for group activities. In addition a number of residents have their own vehicles provided through the Motability scheme. Simon is one of these. Because of Simon’s learning difficulties, autism and challenging behaviours caring for him is extremely hard work for all involved. Having a vehicle available for his own use is a great boon in planning activities to meet his needs and without it the prospect of Simon being trapped indoors for long periods reawakens our worst fears.
Simon has had a Motability vehicle since around 1996 when the scheme was extended by the then Conservative government to include people with learning disabilities. Simon’s assessment for mobility allowance was ‘For Life’ due to the fact there is no prospect of his condition ever improving. Now it is to be taken away. We feel we have been set back many years, years of striving for the best for our handicapped child. Are we never to know peace that society will look after him properly when we are gone?
Vincent & Maureen Greenwood
Here is a copy of my letter sent to the Prime Minister. I have also made an appointment to see my local M.P. I have tried some national newspapers but they don’t respond, as usual, the vulnerable minority don’t count. I will keep on trying.
26th October 2010
Dear Mr. Cameron,
The cruellest cut of all
I would like to tell you about my feelings regarding the injustice of the cruellest government cut of all which is cutting the mobility component of the DLA for people who live in residential care, currently £49.85 per week. On behalf of these people I beg you to reconsider.
You will be aware that these people will be left with £22.30 per week pocket money which is to pay for clothing, toiletries, activities etc. etc. How can they possibly afford to use this money to pay for “help with getting around”?
Are they being punished because they live in residential care, not in the community?
Are you targeting the most vulnerable because they are less likely to object?
I understand that you promised (in an earlier speech) to protect the most vulnerable members of society, if this is so, then you have broken your promise Mr. Cameron.
My husband and I had to make the agonising decision three years ago to place our profoundly disabled son into residential care at the age of 28 because we could no longer give him the 24 hour care, 7 days a week that he needs – but he still needs a social life. It surely is not fair to make the judgement that people living in care do not need this component, but people living at home do!! It could be argued that their need is greater because they have to rely on care staff to organise activities and, in some cases even pay for the staff to accompany them.
Some of our sons component helps to pay for our specially adapted wheelchair accessible vehicle so that he can come home at weekends and be taken on outings. I wonder if you are aware that it costs £10,000 to convert a car to accommodate a large custom built wheelchair. The rest of his money is needed to help fund his outings from the care home.
I want to speak out for all these people because many of them either can’t speak for themselves or have no family support. They will become isolated and depressed through lack of any social interaction with the outside world and will become virtual prisoners.
A lot of people might be wallowing in self pity because they will have to tighten their belts but at least we can keep sane by getting out of our house, take a walk, go to visit friends, shops, pub etc. Disabled people in care homes won’t be able to do that.
You must see that this really IS NOT FAIR.
I ask you again to please, please reconsider
Yours sincerely
Mrs Sharon Longdon
Copies to:-
Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg M.P.
Maria Miller M.P. parliamentary under secretary of state for disabled people
Nigel Mills M.P. for Amber Valley
National Newspapers and anyone else I can think of.