Help wording PIP or SADP form.

Hi, I am having serious trouble wording my form. I have had a look through the guide but still struggling. Fibro fog really not helping. Should I be listing all my symptoms for every question or just me conditions of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is the symptoms that cause me difficulty doing activities. For example for washing and bathing I have put.

I have severe difficulty with this activity. My fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome cause severe fatigue, severe widespread pain, stiffness and weakness in my legs, back, neck, arms, feet, hands, chest, ribs and all joints including shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, elbows and wrists. Severe balance problems and dizziness. I need to use a long-handled brush to wash my back and below the knee as I cannot bend below the knee or reach due to severe pain and discomfort. I need to use a grab bar when getting in and out the shower and a showering chair to sit on as I cannot stand for any length of time due to severe pain, discomfort, fatigue, balance problems and dizziness. I am unsteady and unbalanced on my feet. I do not like using the shower as I cannot sit for any length of time due to severe pain discomfort and fatigue and I am unsafe moving about. I use a grab bar for the bath but still need help to get in and out due to severe pain, discomfort, fatigue and balance problems. I severe difficulty and need help getting my legs over and in to and out of the bath. I also need help pulling myself up and lowering myself in and out of the bath due to severe pain, fatigue discomfort, balance problems and dizziness. I am at constant risk of falling doing these activities as I have done numerous times. I also leaves taps etc running due to brain fog and forgetfulness. I can only shower/bathe once a week due to my disabilities and conditions as it leaves me in agony and exhausted and takes me far longer than normal. I need to rest during and after washing/bathing due to severe pain, discomfort and fatigue. I lay a towel on the bed and lie down to air dry. I need encouragement and supervision to wash and bathe due to all of this.

Is this an acceptable way to word it or is there a way to tidy it up or present it better? Many thanks.

Gary just to let you know if you do an online application any paragraphs you add to the activity evidence section gets merged into one continuous block of text.

Hi, this is very like our daughter's bathing description. The only thing I've added is to ram home the point with [after ..than normal']
" This is not as often as is required nor to an acceptable standard."
[ie whichever of the 4 things apply]
Hope that helps.
Denby

Hello Gary

The only work around I can think of is the one you suggested when doing an online appeal.

I would put a detailed paragraph into the activity evidence box then add at the end for more detailed information see included file "Activity 2 Preparing Food.pdf" or .doc Make sure your Name, NI and DOB is on every page. Then upload it with your supporting evidence files. This way you can maintain the paragraph formatting. I don't know if this is a good idea or not but it was just a thought on a way around the Rubbish formatting of the DWP online PIP form text formatting. Personally I would have expected better from the DWP but they probably do not expect people to put in a full page of text and only expected the average PIP application submission form to have a single paragraph of verbal evidence from the claimant.

Just a few thoughts.
Waxwing