PIP mobility and definition of a journey

Hi there

I'm hoping to pre-empt the inevitable call from the DWP by requesting the transfer from low rate DLA over to PIP myself.

I have quite a lot of medical evidence and my GP has agreed to write a letter. So far so good.

But I'm stuck on the mobility descriptors. My conditions cover Aspergers (with agoraphobia) sciatica and general back pain made worse by recent spinal fracture that has left some functional impairment, and severe fatigue and weakness resulting from advanced liver cirrhosis.

All the above affect mobilising.

What I don't get is what a 'journey' actually is. Does it necessarily involve a certain distance from home?

If I can, with great difficulty, sometimes get to my GP's surgery at the end of the road, about 50 metres, is that a 'journey' as it would not be expected to be taken by car or transport?

Mind you, on some occasions I have needed a taxi just to the end of the road to get to the GP when I am very ill. Does the involvement of transport make the distance into a 'journey'?

I have also read, on another advice forum, that undertaking a journey for PIP purposes means it must be by public transport so if you normally have to use taxis then that should mean you cannot undertake a 'journey'.

Please advise as, like many others, I'm finding this is ambiguous and I know many people who say journeys cause them distress are just getting 4 points and missing out.

My Autism has only been diagnosed since my last DLA assessment but for that I used anxiety as the reason for my agoraphobia. My ASD is now seen as the cause for my anxiety but will Atos understand the difference?

Any help with clarifying this difficult descriptor would be appreciated!

If then the only 'journey' I ever undertake these days (due to worsening health) is to my GP at the end of the road ( and don't leave the house otherwise) could I be said to not be able to undertake any journey, if this is understood as being usually a greater distance (although I see there is no definition of a journey per se there must be working rules that have applied in other cases)?

Will read the guide too but your advice much appreciated.

So, just to finally clarify, the 'journey' part of mobilising is best answered with reference to anxiety and aspergers, causing distress etc., but the reason for much of my inability to go out is ALSO physical health issues related to leg pain from cirrhosis and back pain, but I'm assuming these are best incorporated in the next part of the questionnaire that asks about how far I can walk and there would be no point involving pain and fatigue in the first part of the mobility section?