Hi, my name is RacingScientist!

RacingScientist

I’m a recently disabled student and am struggling to come to terms with my disability and the impact it’s had on my prospects. I’m also massively struggling financially and struggling to find and implement things to make everyday tasks more accessible

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Have you applied or considered applying for pip if you meet the criteria 

Alex_Alumni

Hello @RacingScientist and welcome to the community, thank you for telling us a bit more about yourself and for reaching out. I hope you find the forum to be a welcoming and supportive place. 

As I have had my disability, Cerebral Palsy, since birth, I cannot imagine what it's like to go from being non disabled to newly disabled, it must be incredibly overwhelming and uncertain to say the least. It will take time, but you will feel more confident and stable. Asking for help like this is a great first step  

You mention you are a student, if you're at university, have you applied for Disabled Students Allowance? That can help finance the aids and equipment you will need to make tasks more accessible. See if you can have a chat to Student Services about the support they can offer you for your studies as well. 

I gather from your username that you're studying some kind of science? I'm sorry to hear that you feel your disability has already had an impact on your prospects. It's a difficult one to advise on, as we all have our own journey coming to terms with disability, but it does make you resilient, adaptable, resourceful, and creative to name a few key skills.

Some of the biggest barriers you may have to navigate come in the form of other people's attitudes, not necessarily any limitations caused by your specific impairment. It's about explaining how you are not the problem, but that the way of working is, for example.

What sorts of everyday tasks are you struggling with, if I may ask?

For other support financially, have a look at this benefits calculator from Turn2Us, though please note that some benefits might not be applicable for students.

Please do say if you feel we can support you further, and we'll do what we can to help.

Alex

RacingScientist

Thank you everyone

I’m a Uni student and my first degree is science but I’m now studying medicine. I am on a medical leave of absence so am not entitled to any help from Uni, although I do continue to speak with my Uni appointed psychiatrist. 

I was recently awarded PIP and it’s helped a huge amount but I did and do find it quite hurtful that they have determined I can do a number of things and must be exaggerating, purely because I can drive. I’ve been hospitalised twice now for inadequate medication management but they’re determined I’m at it because I must be able to deal with my medication (over 30 pills a day) because I can drive…?

I struggle with most things. I have severe muscle atrophy from long term steroid use so I struggle to walk at all or stand. I have no strength so can’t lift or hold things. I live up a flight of stairs and I can’t answer the door because I can’t get down the stairs fast enough and then it takes me forever to get back up them, which totally wipes me out. I’m also very immunocompromised so am in the highest risk covid category and am massively anxious about leaving the house

Alex_Alumni

Hi @RacingScientist I'm glad to hear that you're being supported by the university, and with PIP as well. 

I'm sorry to hear you found the process of applying for PIP hurtful, my own experience was certainly stressful.

they have determined I can do a number of things and must be exaggerating, purely because I can drive. I’ve been hospitalised twice now for inadequate medication management but they’re determined I’m at it because I must be able to deal with my medication (over 30 pills a day) because I can drive…?

Please say if it's difficult to talk about, but would you mind explaining who you mean by "they", and what you mean by "they're determined I'm at it", just so that I can understand more fully?

Are you currently being supported enough with managing your medication?

I can completely understand your anxiety around the risks of Covid, it's been a very uncertain few years. Are you eligible for another dose of the vaccine?

Thanks for explaining how you're finding things day-to-day, have you looked into self-referral for a needs assessment? The NHS page explains the process, which I hope will be useful for you.

Let me know if anything here isn't clear, and thank you for taking the time to reply