Upper limb disability/No Mobility access

LorraineH

Hello everyone, 
My son is 23,has just graduated from University in Animation and doing so well. I am very proud of him. He had an accident when he was 1yr old causing upper limb partial paralysis.  He has restricted and weaked use of his arms ,hands and shoulders.  He is desperate to drive,like all his friends,and also increase his chances of work. However because his legs are reasonably unaffected he gets the lower mobility component on his PIP, therefore he doesn't qualify for a mobility car! We have appealed,written to MPs to no avail. He has been for a driving assessment, he needs a new car with good electrics (buttons to open boot,move mirrors,etc)  costing tonnes,and adaptions to the wheel, column,etc costing a further £12000! We have been saving hard and managed around £7000 now but it feels impossible! Nobody wants to know or help. Buses are unsafe as you can imagine, you try getting on and off one without using your arms safety! We are looking at grants but can't find anything.  This is our last resort, does anyone please have any help or advice?
Thank you

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

This sounds really difficult and he's definitely not alone with this situation.  It's a real shame that Motability don't allow manual applications and exercise some discretion for people who aren't eligible for the full 12 points on PIP.

I'm not aware of any financial help for adaptions outside of Motability.  Possibly a very long shot but I wonder if there are likely to be any Motability cars coming to their end of their lease with at least some of the adaptions that he would need?  I know the cars get sold at auction but I assume they usually get stripped of adaptions first.  If you could speak to someone 'high up' at Motability about they may be able to check which cars will be returned soon on their database.  I doubt it's something the normal call handlers would be able to do so you may have to push a bit to speak to someone else there.

LorraineH

Thank you,that's really useful.  I'm so frustrated with it all now and desperate to help him. I will definitely look into this. Much appreciated. 

L_Volunteer

Have you managed to look into it yet @LorraineH? If so, I am just wondering if you would like to share a little more with us about how this has gone for you and if there's anything else we can do to help. We can hear you are going through a really difficult time, feeling frustrated and desperate to help 

Tronster

Hi there

So this isn't pip related.. but have you heard of access to work?

So this is a scheme that the goverment have for people who are actively looking for work

If he gets a job offer. His employer can apply for access to work. Which means the scheme will pay for his car adaptations upto 65k if he owns a regular car. Maybe have a look Into this as you've said he wants to drive and look for work.. it may help 

Tronster

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

LorraineH

No I hadn't heard of this. This sounds perfect for him as he does really want to work. I'll look into this. Irs a bit catch 22 as he needs a car for the jobs he's looking at ,but maybe he can have a loan and pay it back, thank you so much for the advise x

LorraineH

I've looking into ex motability sales,so far,the cars have been stripped. I'm waiting on some emails. As soon as I hear something useful I'll post details x

Hannah_Alumni

@LorraineH Please keep us updated. I didn't know if you were aware, Scope have their own Employment Services, should your son need support with CVs, Interviewing skills...etc.

SamJS

Hi @LorraineH As @tronster said Access to Work could be your answer but your son would need to be employed to begin with in a job where driving to work was necessary. 

I have little to no use of my left arm and hand and Access to work through my previous employer 5 years ago provided adjustments to my office desk setup. I now run my own baking business from home and have just been awarded a laptop with voice recognition tech as it will enable me to do more than typing as well as all of the baking with just one hand. 

Good luck to you both. I hope it all works out. X

LorraineH

That is very inspiring and just what we need to hear when things are a bit bleak,the light at the end of the tunnel! He's just got to get another job now.Well done you,achieving more that many without personal battles x

SamJS

@LorraineH that’s really good to hear. 

I have an incurable brain tumour next to my motor cortex - this is what caused my hemiparesis - after outliving the average survival time there’s nothing I can’t do, apart from the things that demand both hands that is 😂

LorraineH

You have the best attitude, very much like my sons! I wish you all the best x

Jimm_Scope

Keep us updated with how you do @LorraineH! It's always good to hear how things go, if they don't go as well we can keep supporting, if they go great then the people who helped you here get to feel really good about themselves