Disincentivized to improve

66Mustang

Not looking to start any arguments here. Not really sure what I want from this thread, I guess I am just sharing my experience and looking for advice and to see if anyone can relate.

I currently only go out of the house with a family member. I am working on being able to go out alone.

We have broken it down to the smallest level possible and are starting with just a 2 minute walk. I am now at the stage where I have gone through all the facts about being out alone, rehearsed it with a professional, and really all there is to do is make the push and just do it. I am not there yet but I like to think I am getting nearer to the point that I am ready to have a go and see what happens.

However there is a big spanner in the works. This is the fact that, once I am able to leave the house alone, even for a 2 minute walk, I lose my higher rate mobility PIP, and so my Motability car, which is basically my life.

Do not get me wrong: I would give up my PIP and my car any day to be able to PROPERLY go out and about on my own - to the shops, to see friends and relatives, or go to work...

But sacrificing it just to be able to go for a 2 minute walk doesn’t seem worth it to me. Therefore, I find myself in a position where, even if one day I found I could do it, I lack the motivation to go for the walk.

I’m not saying I don’t want to get better. Like I say if I got to the point where I could go out on my own for a proper full length trip i.e. to the shops I’d gladly rip up my PIP claim and hand the car keys back tomorrow!

However the treatment doesn’t work like that and I have to start small, do it in small steps, and the system discourages making that first step.

I won’t pretend to know the answer but maybe there could do with being a grace period of say a year so I have time to work with professionals and get to a decent position of independence, not just a 2 minute walk, before losing my award.

Does anyone have anything to say about this?

Thanks for reading.

66Mustang

@woodbine and @Username_removed thank you very much for the posts - that all makes perfect sense. I really appreciate the advice.

janer1967

As the others have said a 2 minute walk is hardly being able to go out repeatedly safely and reliably and PIP is about what you are like for majority of time not just 2 minutes a day 

You dont need to worry about reporting a change and dint let it put you off trying to get out 

Small baby steps 

66Mustang

Thanks @janer1967

I agree small baby steps

Government_needs_reform

66mustang

Also I was in a similar position, now I've given up my ongoing PIP enhanced both rates, I still had 7 years left, but enjoyment is better than any money. I've used this time in the pandemic to get myself better, and in shape to get back to normality.

I have both physical and MH problems too.

Yes, it's taken a year to achieve this, I also was in hospital with covid-19 for a month, 2 weeks unconscious, but won that battle too. So now learning to live with little problems instead of being on my own, I feel free.

Your just beginning a journey to improve your that in itself is priceless. Start from the bottom and you can get to the top.

Good luck @66Mustang only give up your PIP when your at a point you can manage without it.