hi, im new new to KC site, but have had KC for about 5 years, im 24 and my vision has rapidly declined in the last year really, i dont really know what to do as i was told a few months ago that i am no longer safe to drive, this put me in a tight spot as i was working full time and i live in the middle of nowhere and was unable to get to work anymore, also i had been really struggling with work and daily life anyway, i have a constant squint as i struggle to focus on anything, and has lead to lots of dizzy spells and migranes(possibly due to the degree of sight in my left eye in comparison to my right) so all in all this has lead to me sitting on a waiting list for corneal transplant for my left eye first and unable to work until its all over, i have a husband who is very supportive but has to work every hour god sends just make ends meet and a lovely little boy who's nearly two to support. i just dont know where to look for financial assistance or any kind of help or support. so far all i know is that in a couple more months my ssp will stop and i will be on incapicity benefit which is very little when i was working full time because i needed to. if anyone can offer any advice i'd be very greatful, i've tried but to no avail. many thanks for reading hope to hear from anyone, even if its just to tell me to pull myself together.
helen x
any advice would help
Moderators: Anne Klepacz, John Smith, Sweet
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cherishu2
- Chatterbox
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Fri 03 Jun 2005 9:12 am
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Location: leicestershire
hi, Sorry to hear about your work situation.
Have you tried disability living allowance, its not much but it helps. I have been awarded it last month and i was in more or less your situation, needing a graft.
It hard work i know especially with a family, glad you have a supportive hubby though
Trace
Have you tried disability living allowance, its not much but it helps. I have been awarded it last month and i was in more or less your situation, needing a graft.
It hard work i know especially with a family, glad you have a supportive hubby though
Trace
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Matthew_
- Champion
- Posts: 814
- Joined: Thu 13 Jul 2006 3:13 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses
- Location: Gallafrey
Hi,
Have you tried Disability Living Allowance or basically any other benefits? You may have tried this but the local Benefits Office should provide with forms for just about anything you could claim for. They are usually very helpful and there is something you might be entitled to, they will encourage you to try. Its a lot of forms but it should be worth it. Basically you cannot work so you should be entitled. DLA is not means tested so it is worth applying for. Every little helps.
I hope something comes along for you. Best of luck.
Have you tried Disability Living Allowance or basically any other benefits? You may have tried this but the local Benefits Office should provide with forms for just about anything you could claim for. They are usually very helpful and there is something you might be entitled to, they will encourage you to try. Its a lot of forms but it should be worth it. Basically you cannot work so you should be entitled. DLA is not means tested so it is worth applying for. Every little helps.
I hope something comes along for you. Best of luck.
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GarethB
- Ambassador
- Posts: 4916
- Joined: Sat 21 Aug 2004 3:31 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses
- Location: Warwickshire
Heleday
Welcome to the forum.
You might find the The employer leaflet of interest.
Your emplyers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to help you conduct work. This can mean assesments from the RNIB or Action for the Blind. When I was off work with my KC for 3 months, through my local job centre they said through the access to work scheme they could help with transport too and from work. I could have used public transport but that would have ment 4 hours to get to work. The car journey is only 30 minutes!
Through access to work I have some aids to help use the computre and to enlarge documents i need to read at work. All this is contained in the emplyer leaflet which i have put a link too.
You might also like to contact our leader Anneklepacz@aol.com who will also be able to offer advice on the work front.
Hope this helps.
Gareth
Welcome to the forum.
You might find the The employer leaflet of interest.
Your emplyers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to help you conduct work. This can mean assesments from the RNIB or Action for the Blind. When I was off work with my KC for 3 months, through my local job centre they said through the access to work scheme they could help with transport too and from work. I could have used public transport but that would have ment 4 hours to get to work. The car journey is only 30 minutes!
Through access to work I have some aids to help use the computre and to enlarge documents i need to read at work. All this is contained in the emplyer leaflet which i have put a link too.
You might also like to contact our leader Anneklepacz@aol.com who will also be able to offer advice on the work front.
Hope this helps.
Gareth
Gareth
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Asif
- Regular contributor
- Posts: 141
- Joined: Wed 01 Sep 2004 5:13 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and spectacles
Hello and welcome
Have you tried wearing contact lenses? I would advise you to try them before going for a graft. A graft does take some time before you get some stable vision. What is your vision like at the moment, would you know what your VA is or roughly how many lines you can see down the eye chart.
With regards to income I cant really offer a lot of advice, but applying for incapacity and/or disability allowance may help.
I can understand your situation as I too was finding it very difficult to work and drive especially at night with very poor vision. It will take a little time but you will find a way to overcome many of these problems in some way.
Have you tried wearing contact lenses? I would advise you to try them before going for a graft. A graft does take some time before you get some stable vision. What is your vision like at the moment, would you know what your VA is or roughly how many lines you can see down the eye chart.
With regards to income I cant really offer a lot of advice, but applying for incapacity and/or disability allowance may help.
I can understand your situation as I too was finding it very difficult to work and drive especially at night with very poor vision. It will take a little time but you will find a way to overcome many of these problems in some way.
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Andrew MacLean
- Moderator
- Posts: 7703
- Joined: Thu 15 Jan 2004 8:01 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Other
- Location: Scotland
heledy24
Hello, and welcome to the forum. What a desparate situation!
I know that it can be hard waiting for a graft, but I wonder whether there may not be some more mileage in contact lenses while you wait? what have you tried: Rigid Gas Permeable, Kerasoft, Sclerals (sometimes called Haptic), piggy back ... ... ... the list goes on and on.
What was (is) your job. Could not adjustments be made to your workplace to take account of your reduced sight?
I don't like bombarding you with questions, but it may be that you are not as powerless in this situation as you think you are.
all the best
Andrew
Hello, and welcome to the forum. What a desparate situation!
I know that it can be hard waiting for a graft, but I wonder whether there may not be some more mileage in contact lenses while you wait? what have you tried: Rigid Gas Permeable, Kerasoft, Sclerals (sometimes called Haptic), piggy back ... ... ... the list goes on and on.
What was (is) your job. Could not adjustments be made to your workplace to take account of your reduced sight?
I don't like bombarding you with questions, but it may be that you are not as powerless in this situation as you think you are.
all the best
Andrew
Andrew MacLean
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