Disability Allowance - What to know!

What is it? What are the criteria? How do you qualify?

The disability allowance is a weekly allowance that is paid to people with a disability. This type of payment is made available to people with disabilities from the age of 16 years of age.

What are the rules?

In order to qualify for this type of payment allowance, you must meet the following criteria

· Have an injury, disease, or physical or mental disability that has continued or is expected to continue past a certain length of time.

· Must be substantially restricted as a result of their disability in undertaking work that would be suitable for a person of their age (able-bodied person).

· Must be aged between 16 and 66 - when you reach 66 you no longer qualify but instead can be assessed for a state pension.

· Must satisfy the means-testing criteria.

· Must satisfy the habitual residence condition.

What is Residential Care: If you are receiving the disability allowance and are admitted to a hospital or a residential care facility, you will continue to receive your payment as long as you still meet the qualifying conditions. If you were not in receipt of this payment before living in residential care you are able to qualify for this allowance once you meet the criteria and conditions to qualify.

What does it mean to be Means-tested: As the DA is a means-tested payment it is a necessary step in qualifying for this payment? In order to qualify the total income amount is assessed to ensure that they are below a certain amount. The main items that are looked at include:

· Cash income of your spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant may have.

· Capital - the value of savings, investments, shares, or any property you may own (other than your current house)

· Any Maintenance paid to you.

· Living with your parents - Your parents’ income is not taken into account when you are assessed for Disability Allowance.

Please note that while the criteria, rules, and conditions are essential in this process there may be in some cases that may require further steps or conditions in order to qualify upon my experience I would really recommend having a chat with your OT or Care worker to see if there is anything further that they can do or who to contact or what the best port of action would be to make sure that yourself or the person that you are assisting with this is made fully aware of what things are and are not available to them in terms of entitlements, grants, special needs assistants and other allowances.

You can access an application form for the Disability Allowance from the Department of Social Protection.

For more information on this topic and to find out more I would suggest checking out the citizen information website

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/disability_and_illness/disability_allowance.html

Growing Up With a Disability and what I learned!

When I was a kid growing upcoming from a big family that was all quite close.

I loved playing with everyone, which was made even easier as I was never treated super different or like my disability mattered or it meant I couldn’t play with everyone, where even at times when I was determined (some might say stubborn :)) to be able to play no matter if there were steps into a garden, field, either by using my walker or wheelchair. I guess I have my family to thank for that as I still approach this way of thinking (as much as I can) today when it comes to my disability. I just go ahead and do it even if it's hard, or difficult, or 'impossible' all that matters is that I at least try it once instead of not trying all, because I think I can't do it or because I was told that I can't or won't be able to do something instead of finding out for myself.

'I was the kid with my k-walker that wanted to skate - Fast forward to me with those Fischer prices adjustable skates on while using my K-walker.'

Sure, I probably got some strange looks or people laughing but at the time I didn’t really care, I just wanted to skate and that was that. The same way I wanted to learn how to cycle *3 wheeled bike with splints* it was so fun, and I really enjoyed (when I wasn’t getting off 5 minutes in to go to the toilet, but that was until I was racing one of the other kids on my road (me on the bike and her racing along in my wheelchair). Que us racing and then crashing into each other and the bike falling sideways and my hand being squished under one of the handlebars - which meant a Hospital visit and a slightly sprained hand. I'm pretty sure I just stopped using it soon after that (sorry ma).

Now it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows I mean yes there was some bullying, teasing and it wasn’t the best time I won't lie…Luckily any of the times were nipped in the bud quite early enough, and even in the latter days like secondary school it was still shit when it happened and I did get annoyed or upset but after so much and then not actually wanting any drama I guess looking back I did learn to clap back more and I learned that the best answer is to not respond at all.

Fast forward from about 14 to 16 to my 20s I became friends with my first best friend, and I started going out more like to parties, trips to town, cinema and just hanging out in general. It then turned into first parties and being as social as possible and I guess feeling like I was accepted by my peers and being invited to more parties, nights out …

As a disabled girl in my teens where I never felt much different from everyone else, as it was how I was brought up, that yes I do have a disability but it doesn't mean that I should let it get in the way of doing what I wanted to do and I won't lie I did live by this and still do but there was a time where after doing regular things that people my age did like nights out and being carried up and down the stairs, up and down lifts in nightclubs that I almost remember that I let the thoughts of having to be helped up and down and in and out of places (all-be-it free most of the time) it meant I had started to think the opposite of the mind set of my disability does not define who and what I am and what I can and can not do in life.

Now don’t get me wrong this mindset is a great way to be and it can be so satisfying when you finish what you said you were going to do, that may have been seen as 'impossible' or ‘wouldn't even try that to be honest' it also can help with confidence and self-esteem. In the same breath, I have also learned a lot over the years that there are things that I will and will not put up with and the things I am willing to fight for (as in fighting for what's right) and what is just not worth the bother - Yes I will speak up for other people (able-bodied or not) and I will answer any questions even with kids that are generally curious and think that it's cool and just want to know more. I will also have proper conversations about my disability like I won't make anyone feel awkward and it took a time to get comfortable and not get defensive if someone just can't see past the disability and my wheelchair and who might even choose to talk to the person I'm with rather than to me. Even in social situations I was always invited out with friends and I would go and have a good time, but it did get to a point where depending on what the plans were at the time, it turned out that it was not logically or logistically smart for me to be going anywhere near here - If the place was not accessible at all and it would prove to be more of a hassle, in the long run, to have gone at all.

Me waving goodbye to the hassle :)

It is now 10 years later (I feel so old) I do look back and think of all the memories that I had made and the fun and laughs and even the not so fun times it all led to where I am today and taught me a lot of the biggest life lessons I've had to learn, looking back I am so grateful that it did happen even the hard times as I realized some things that I am comfortable with in terms of my disability and as a person, what this means to me as in how to separate these two things one being Me: the person, my personality, the emotions, my likes and dislikes, quirks, hobbies, interests, goals and then My Disability: my wheelchair, my diagnoses, not being able to do certain things, having to adapt to things, needing and asking for help.

I mean what Dean says

Speaking of asking for help, this last one can be tricky to do, but it has in my experience been so worth it when you do build up the courage to finally ask for help say you haven't been feeling the best lately or things are getting you down (so important!!) to something small like asking for help for the smallest of things like getting something from a high shelf, help to carry shopping, help up and downstairs and asking for help in the form of support for any occasions or situations where you feel that you would be a lot more comfortable perhaps if you had someone with you to help and support in those times.

I know its never easy to firstly admit to yourself when you need help and then to confide this in people you love and trust but what I do know is that no matter the situation or the outcome I've always felt so much better in the end when the dust fades than if I had never confided in someone and just let it build and build and build until the volcano just *E X P L O D E S* so if you take anything at all from this post I hope you feel a little braver, a little stronger to be who you are, to ask for help and that you just continue to do the things that make you happy no matter how silly you may think you are, 99% of the time it is never as bad as you might think at first and the majority of the time people are too busy worrying about themselves and what there doing to be worrying and concerned with what you're doing! so just relax and keep doing what you're doing! :)

My Disability! - Spastic Paraplegia

What is Spastic Paraplegia?

Definition. Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), also called familial spastic paraparesis (FSP), refers to a group of inherited disorders that are characterized by progressive weakness and spasticity (stiffness) of the legs. Early in the disease course, there may be mild gait difficulties and stiffness.

My name is Michaela and I have a condition called Spastic Paraplegia. I was diagnosed when I was about 1 and a half. It all started when I had begun walking on my tiptoes (with no frame on my own) and I then began to fall a lot and had a couple of seizures. I was brought to my doctor first and was referred to the Central Remedial Clinic where I was assessed and then officially diagnosed thankfully after a review with the Gait Laboratory's, physiotherapists, and reviews within the CRC.

Gait Laboratory: These are used as a way to review patients that might have a variety of conditions such a Cerebral Palsy in adults and children as well as a variety of conditions. As a part of the process, each child or adult with some walking difficulties is referred to these laboratories as a way to determine what the best treatment plan would be suitable to improve each person's walking ability. Picture this - there's a number of specialists in a room behind a wall looking at computer screens and you're there with your walking frame in shorts and a t-shirt with small electronic pads added to the joints of your knees and the tops of your knees near your pelvis, which are used to allow the specialists to see what your walking style is and how your body moves in certain ways, like walking up and down the lab floor while wearing your splints, insoles, etc...

Gate Lab - CRC

After this from what I can remember as time went by I was then fitted for my first k-walker and splints and then followed my first pair of glasses and a corrective eyepatch…. I was stunning living my best little miss sunshine life lol.

I was lucky enough to start pre-school in the CRC which I have no bad memories of at all…I mean there were teddy bear picnics and the odd 'Michael Schumacher' visit and just being kids I guess playing and learning between going to physio appointments. I was there until I was about 6 and then transferred to a mainstream school that was closer to where we had moved from Ballymun to Finglas. I then went back to school in the CRC in the summer of 1st class because I had both of my legs wrapped in plaster pares for what was supposed to be for the summer but ended up being nearly 5 months and then two months later my appendix nearly burst so I was out for even longer then but it worked out for the best because when I went back to mainstream school I met my SNA - Special Needs Assistant - for the first time who became one of my best friends and someone I can really depend on even still almost 22 years (give or take a few) <3.

what are friends for

Now at 30 years of age *inner child cries * so much has changed since then I've been through some pretty major ups and downs over the last couple of years. I've learned so much and I'd like to think that I've changed and grown into the person I am today compared to the person I was 5 years ago maybe even 10 years ago...

As to how my disability has been impacted over the years, thankfully it has not deteriorated over the years bar some swelled ankles here and there and weight being harder to lose... I don't think I'm the only disabled person that feels that there are times where just because you know what your abilities are no matter what it is: in this case, it would be when planning to do something and you start to enquire but he answer may be 'No, Not Possible, we are not sure what to do, sorry we cannot help you ' sometimes in the big bad world this can kind of knock your confidence and self-esteem a bit. when you keep getting knocked back when all your trying to do is better yourself and have more stability and structure to your daily life.

I won't lie it is very disheartening to be told that you can't do something or that thing is simply not an option that is available for a disabled person. In my case, it was getting a full-time job - despite the "fear" of something being taken away - medical cards, allowances being cut all because I wanted to add to and improve the quality of life in terms of allowing for more freedoms from a consistent income like experiences, being able to save more, being able to buy the things that you want that will make your life a little bit easier like for me it was my brother’s wedding abroad, a trip to London Harry Potter Studios and most recently my Triride electronic bike attachment *my baby* which has honestly changed my life so much by just allowing me to go further than I would have by bus or even by car.

So for times like this when it can be so frustrating when you are determined to do something that you thought would be straightforward enough but the more that you enquire about it and find out what it takes, this can be the worst feeling because you start to feel like giving up or you start to think if it is actually worth doing and as much as it might seem a bit crap at first please remember that it is always worth trying even if it turns out that you're not interested anymore, at least you tried and now you can really go for what you want with even more fire and motivation to achieve and recieve all of the things that you want. . . Always Try X