Walking distance ESA

I have answered the question regarding my limitations on walking. However, I have never used a wheelchair and have no idea of knowing my capability - though I expect it wouldn't be good as I have poor upper body strength!

So how can I be expected to answer the "mobilise" question?!!!

I feel that the DWP wants to force us into wheelchairs in order to have a capacity to work! As if that would make a difference...

How many workplaces can really cope with wheelchairs? Not to mention the traveling via public transport. My husband works in a hospital. While the public spaces in the hospital are fully accessible to people in wheelchairs, the laboratories behind the scenes aren't!

Anyway, I might be being paranoid but I feel that the DWP want me to give up the use of my legs!

marcali wrote:

I have answered the question regarding my limitations on walking. However, I have never used a wheelchair and have no idea of knowing my capability - though I expect it wouldn't be good as I have poor upper body strength!

So how can I be expected to answer the "mobilise" question?!!!

I feel that the DWP wants to force us into wheelchairs in order to have a capacity to work! As if that would make a difference...

How many workplaces can really cope with wheelchairs? Not to mention the traveling via public transport. My husband works in a hospital. While the public spaces in the hospital are fully accessible to people in wheelchairs, the laboratories behind the scenes aren't!

Anyway, I might be being paranoid but I feel that the DWP want me to give up the use of my legs!

No the DWP dont want you to give up the use of your legs just the benefits that they pay you.

I would like to hear from anyone who has scored points on the mobilising descriptor but has not got any upper body problems which you need to prevent you being unable to use a wheelchair.

Is anyone scoring points for this?

Even if it was possible to reach a work place in your wheelchair, no thought has been given into how an employer would cope with his worker suffering pain, nausea, dizziness,falls and falling asleep due to the effect of medication on a dailly basis.

Rather than the HCP saying that theoretically you can mobilise using a wheelchair and you arguing that theoretically you cannot, with the DM obviously choosing the HCP's opinion. I have previously suggested that a person borrows a wheelchair and tries it out. That way you will know for sure and make a tangible statement, after all, how do you know haw far you can walk, yes, because you have tried.
Regards
Peter

Egon Peter Hopkinson wrote:

Rather than the HCP saying that theoretically you can mobilise using a wheelchair and you arguing that theoretically you cannot, with the DM obviously choosing the HCP's opinion. I have previously suggested that a person borrows a wheelchair and tries it out. That way you will know for sure and make a tangible statement, after all, how do you know haw far you can walk, yes, because you have tried.
Regards
Peter

Yes you could do that but you would still have to convince the HCP at the ESA medical that you can only mobilise your distance in a wheelchair.(not easy)

I think you would still need to back that up with a supporting letter from your Consultant/Doctor about your limitations using a wheelchair if one could be reasonably be used.

This seems surreal.

Are you saying that I have to find a wheelchair from somewhere to try out so that I can answer the question? And that I won't get points otherwise?