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preparing meals

i scored only 2 points for preparing meals.I have problems with my left hand and grip,I have my wifes assistance.I suffer from dizzyness and take Rampril twice a day for high blood pressure.I cannot lift anything on or off the stove as objects feel heavy, my wife has banished me from the kitchen for my own safety.Surely should I not get more point for having my wifes help.I cam put coffee into a cup or a tea bag.thats it.Can anyone answer this question please
Replies
I have what we call our 'table pan'. It's a very large frying pan, with a little depth, that we stand on our dining table (which is at the 3nd of our kitchen). It plugs into a socket I have on a long adapter so I can cook while sat down. We got ours for about £20/30 ands it been worth every penny. If I'm dizzy it's much easier and as I need to sit due to back pain it's ideal.
It may be worth looking into (you may have already!) gadgets and stuff that can help you in the kitchen as independence is important though getting help is excellent too.
I also do most things in the microwave and that doesn't need to mean ready meals every day. For example I use a light plastic just to fill the kettle instead of lifting heavy kettle. Then I use light plastic tubs to cook in. I cook rice, pasta, bulgur wheat, spuds etc in tubs. Steaming chicken, fish etc is easy and I also cook veg in it. I never use my hob except the table pan to fry with.
I use an electric tin opener, electric whisk, food processor and my latest purchase (thank you PIP!) is a very simple chopping board that helps you cut bread slices as we make bread in our bread maker (easier for me than getting to the shops).
I sit in a stool in the kitchen, that might help you with dizziness?
Do you like fooking/kitchen stuff or are you happy for your wife to take over?
"I'm trying to live like a random poem I read that ended 'to bloom where we are planted"
Scope have a section on PIP , see below link:
http://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/benefits/personal-independence-payment-pip
The PIP descriptors are also detailed in the below link:
http://http//www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
From what you have said it sounds like you need supervision or assistance to cook a main mean due to the risk of for example of burning yourself when lifting hot food or pans. If this is correct, if so, this descriptor scores 4 points.
Did PIP give you any more points, for example are you at risk of falling from dizziness when in the shower, even when holding onto something?
Have you had to go to hospital or see your GP following for example a fall or burn caused by your dizziness?
When was the PIP decision made? As you can challenge the decision, but a challenge must be lodged with 1 month of the date of the decision letter. The first challenge is called a mandatory reconsideration, and it is best to put the request in writing stating that you want to ‘lodge a mandatory reconsideration against the decision dated …. that PIP has not been awarded.’ Also quote your national insurance number as the reference.
Best wishes
Maria