Not benefits per se but ... good news for me!

I was assessed for a new wheelchair with my local authority's wheelchair service. They agreed that I needed a new chair urgently - the only problem was that I don't have a ramp at home and therefore have to charge my chair at my friend's flat. I was told no ramp, no chair. I was told at the assessment that my current chair is dangerous and that I shouldn't use it but ... what else can I do??

I referred myself to the local occupational health dept and they arranged for an assessment to be carried out by a company called Able2. The woamn who came to see me treated me as if I were a feckless malingerer - she told me that as far as she was concerned I did not need a ramp, but she said I needed a stairlift (which I do). I didn't know what to do because I have no money to pay for a ramp.

I get a visit from a grants officer in relation to the stairlift and told her about my horrible experience at the hands of this woman from Able 2. She was so shocked and said she would report it - I didn't hold my breath. But then I was contacted by a local authority occupational health adviser wqho says that I have an urgent need for a ramp, my grnat claim has been left open so that it appears to be a continuation rather than a new claim.

I am so grateful to this woman because I felt too crushed to complain. I feel that finally I have been heard. It may take a while yet but it would appear that I will be getting my new chair after all!