Confusion over PIP

Well my Decision Letter arrived this morning - exactly 4 weeks to the day after my assessment. The DM has followed the Assessor's recommendations and awarded 11 points. As I posted a couple of weeks ago, after my assessment I thought I would be awarded 0 points so this is a good outcome and is due in no small part to the help from Gordon and the Member Guides.

However, all my points were awarded on: (b) Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to .... which awards 2 points apart from 'Monitoring Health Conditions' under which (b) awards 1 point. This is despite the fact that I told the HP that I can't use aids due to to my reduced grip etc. In my opinion 'assistance' is required rather than 'aids'.

I am also dismayed that the HP has used, as justification for all her descriptor choices that, 'I was able to hand over paperwork' and 'I still drive'.

My husband placed the paperwork from his bag onto the table; I then slid across the table a new medical report for her attention - this did not require me to pick it up or grip it. The only time I gripped a piece of paper was at the conclusion when she handed me an ATOS leaflet. Obviously, this is not heavy item and, although it did not fall out of my hand, the probability is that it she had done it a number of times then I would have dropped it around 50% of the time.

With regard to me being able to drive - I told her that on the very few occasions when I do drive our automatic car (which is only on good days, roughly 3 times a month) I am not confident and I need someone to pull on the handbrake. She mentions this under 'Social and Occupation History' but still uses it as justification for her descriptor choices. I should have made clear that in our automatic car there is no gripping required only a slight push/pull mechanism with my hand and arm resting on the gear stick and little effort is required in terms of 'dexterity and grip', One of my main problems is that things fall out of my grip but a gear stick can't fall! Again, I didn't think I needed to explain this but I should have even although under 'Musculoskeletal system' she states things like 'Wrist movements stiff and reduced; upper limb power reduced; dexterity and pinch grip all reduced in both hands.'

Is it possible to phone the DM and ask if they can specify the aid(s) they think I should be able to use in Activity 1, 4 and 6 as these are the ones which I most disagree with?

I suspect that I will have to request an MR (and possibly be awarded fewer points) as I would feel uncomfortable accepting a favourable decision when I specifically told the HP that I don't use aids!

Any thoughts?

Gordon wrote:
Picking up a pan of boiling water, the DWP will argue that there is no need for you to do this, that you can use a slotted spoon to remove the food from the pan on to a plate and can then leave the pan to cool.

Gordon

If I may devils advocate upon your devils advocate... Forget the whole boiling water bit, if you have reduced grip and strength how is one supposed to carry a pan filled with water from the tap to the hob? I know I can't without slopping it everywhere, including the floor, or dropping it altogether. Surely spilt water all over the floor should be considered just as much a danger?