Rose's statement

Rose sent this statement to the panel before her hearing. If you are writing one yourself it might be useful to see the sorts of things she said. On the right, we've explained why what she has written is useful, to help you write yours.

I am writing to you to explain my condition and my reason for appealing the decision to award me the lower rate of care of DLA.

Say what you think you are entitled to, and tell them what conditions you have.

I am appealing the decision as I believe that I am entitled to the middle rate of care. I have ulcerative colitis and severe depression and this means that I need a lot of help during the day.

Explain the main symptoms of your condition and how it affects you.

I find moving around painful and hard because I have pain in my limbs, and I am unsteady on my feet. I need to go to the toilet frequently, and afterwards I feel sick and exhausted. I often soil myself.

If your condition is better on some days than it is on others, explain what help you need on both. If you can, say how frequently you have better days and bad days.

Because of my depression, I often can't face getting up and all the pain ahead of me, so I stay in bed - sometimes all day, except when I have to go to the toilet.

On better days (approximately 3 days a week) I will get up and go downstairs to sit in a chair and watch TV. I never do very much because, even on the good days, I am very tired. When my sister is with me she encourages me to get up and helps me to get downstairs.

If you can, spell out what help you get - or what help you would get in an ideal world.

It is very painful to have a bath because of the pain and stiffness in my limbs (my shower is in the bath). I am not steady on my feet and getting into the bath is very painful and it feels dangerous, so I don't do it unless my sister is there to help me in and out.

Explain exactly what problems you have with each part of looking after yourself.

Washing my hair causes a lot of pain in my arms and shoulders and I often cannot do it at all, so I need help. Drying myself is very painful too because I cannot bend enough to do my calves and feet.

Usually I just wash my face or have a quick wash with a flannel at the sink.

If you have ever been hurt (or might have been), or have hurt somebody else because of your illness, tell them. You should also say if you have ever hurt yourself on purpose.

Last year I fell when trying to get out of the bath - I wasn't badly hurt, but it shook me up.

Say if there is anything you don't do because you don't have the help you need.

Some days I don't really wash at all because I don't have any help.

Refer to any other evidence that backs up what you are saying.

The letter from my social worker, Karen Beardsley, confirms this.

If not getting the help you need causes other problems, it is very useful to say so. They won’t make the connection for themselves.

Being dirty and looking bad makes me feel depressed, so I don't like to go out or see anyone. But there is nothing I can do about it.

I find it hard to dress myself too because I find buttons and the fastening on my bra too hard. Even putting on knickers, jogging bottoms, and a jumper is tiring for me, and sometimes I don't change them when I need to, because I can't without help.

Remember to say how frequently things happen

Because of my colitis I have to go to the toilet 5 or 6 times during the day. It leaves me exhausted and feeling sick and I have to lie down afterwards. Most of the time I do get to the toilet in time, but sometimes - approximately twice a week - I don't make it.

This level of detail may seem unnecessary, but it will help the panel understand your condition. Remember to say everything – even things that you might find embarrassing. It will be a lot easier to write it down than to say it in the hearing.

Even when I do get to the bathroom on time, because of the blood and mucus, I often need to wash myself and change my clothes afterwards.

Sometimes I don't have the energy to do this immediately so have to stay in my dirty clothes. I also have to clean the toilet before it stains, and I can't because of the tiredness and pain.

Don’t be afraid to say things twice, if they are relevant twice.

As I have said, washing properly is very painful and I can't manage it without help. I also have to use a cream after each bowel movement. I often can't use this because I have been unable to wash, which makes it more painful.

Try to say everything and explain all your problems.

I can't cook a proper meal for myself and my sister says I don't eat properly. Even opening a tin and putting the hob on is painful so I find it hard to find the motivation to cook. I make a microwave meal or some toast, or don't eat at all.

I can't remember the last time I was able to cook a proper meal by myself. Last year my sister was trying to encourage me to cook. She asked me to move a pan on the stove but my wrists were too weak and I spilt it, scalding my foot. I don't even try now.

The help you get or need might not be physical help – it might be encouragement, reminding or prompting.

My sister tries to cook for me sometimes, and she brings me microwave meals. She phones me from work most days to ask if I've eaten and encourage me to make something if I haven't.

What do you think of this guide? Has it helped you to get the DWP to change its mind about your DLA/AA? Was it easy to read and interesting? Or was the guide not much help at all? If you've got any comments or would be willing to take part in a survey about the guide's usefulness please get in touch using our feedback form below.

This guide was written by Advice Services Alliance (ASA) Advicenow for Community Legal Advice. ASA Advicenow would like to thank all those who provided feedback on drafts of the guide and took part in the review.