June 2011 - East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust
June 2011 - East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust
June 2011 - East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust
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How contact a family can help<br />
By Aleah Truscott<br />
Dalton was diagnosed with Autism<br />
when he was at nursery. It was a<br />
really difficult time coming to terms<br />
with his diagnosis, coping with his<br />
behaviour and meeting lots <strong>of</strong> health<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, psychologists and<br />
speech therapists.<br />
An added pressure and worry at the time<br />
was our finances. Things were tight and<br />
there were lots <strong>of</strong> extra costs, such as<br />
equipment to help Dalton’s progression<br />
and petrol to travel to appointments and<br />
meetings with pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.<br />
Steve had to work full time but I was<br />
struggling to cope on my own and really<br />
needed an extra pair <strong>of</strong> hands at home.<br />
I was pregnant with Rafe and Wade had<br />
severe asthma and eczema so I was<br />
attending hospital appointments almost<br />
every day and was finding it a huge strain.<br />
I was put in touch with contact a family<br />
shortly after Dalton was diagnosed.<br />
Liz Farmer, one <strong>of</strong> the family workers came<br />
to visit me in my home.<br />
MONEY MATTERS<br />
At first we just talked about how I was<br />
feeling and some <strong>of</strong> the issues we were<br />
facing. It was great to talk and feel like I<br />
could be open with someone who<br />
understood. Liz told me about some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
support and advice contact a family<br />
provides and this sounded so helpful,<br />
particularly the help around claiming<br />
benefits we were entitled to.<br />
Liz helped me fill out the Disability Living<br />
Allowance (DLA) form for Dalton and we<br />
were awarded higher rate care and lower<br />
rate mobility. This meant that Steve could<br />
reduce from full-time to part-time hours<br />
and help with caring for Dalton.<br />
It made a huge amount <strong>of</strong> difference to<br />
our family life. The money from DLA also<br />
helped us to buy a trampoline for Dalton,<br />
which allows him to let <strong>of</strong>f steam.<br />
Liz has also helped us apply for a grant<br />
which we have used to buy sensory toys.<br />
These help Dalton to de-stress and enjoy<br />
some quiet time.<br />
For more details Tel: 0808 808 3555<br />
www.cafamily.org.uk<br />
Newlife Foundation - equipment grants service<br />
The Newlife Foundation provide grants to help families purchase equipment including<br />
mobility equipment, care equipment, communication aids, comfort and therapy<br />
equipment and more. Grants are available for children aged 18 and under who have<br />
a significant disability and are permanent residents in the UK. They do not means test.<br />
Application forms can be downloaded from<br />
http://www.newlifecharity.co.uk/docs/services/equipment_grant_services.shtml<br />
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