United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone, what a very frustating time Michael and I are experiencing at the moment. A quick fill in... since Michael's accident, he has had surgery and from specialist he has advised Michael yes it is a serious injury but you need to get on with life, get back to work etc. Yes I understand that and Michael is keen to get his life back into perspective with or without the use of his arm. Michael is keen to learn a trade, do some study in some specific field etc. He is only 19 years old. Also suffered in the accident was a closed head injury, after hitting a sign post, then a tree and then going over a fence Michael was knocked out and lost about 12 to 14 hours of time, can't remember anything of the accident or anything after that time until 14 hours later. Due to the closed head injury we have been to Brain Injury Clinic etc (fortunately no head trauma or brain damage) for assessment. Went there today and advised by the assessment clinic that Michael is all well, but need to wait until arm injury under control before he can return to work or basically get on with his life. He receives what we call a Youth Allowance here in Australia for the period of time that he is out of work, but needs to supply to a certificate from the dr every 12 weeks to say that he is unable to work. The runaround we are getting is that if Michael decides to go a college and do a course he will have to forfeit his allowance because our government does not supply any disability or training allowance for people under the age of 25 living at home. If Michael goes back to work with an employer who is prepared to take him on with his limited use of his arm he will also forfeit his allowance because he is classed as no longer in need of any allowance for his injury. Michael wants to get back out there, he doesn't want to be stuck at home for the next 12mths to 2 years, but how is a kid supposed to exist in this world if no one out there is prepared to give them a helping hand. Don't get me wrong his father and I will support him everyway we can and are prepared to help him get any training and work experience that he wants.... but for heavens sake how do young people get on in this world when they have an accident and are injured and they want to get their lives back on track and no one outside the immediate family is prepared to lend a helping hand. We have contacted several agencies to get information but so far to no avail. I'm sorry if this is a bit of a bitch session.... but it is very frustrating not so much for me but for Michael. I will understand if this message doesn't get posted, but hope that it does because we would like to hear how others have got on.... regards Narelle and Michael.

Narelle and Michael, things like this are very frusterating I am in the states and things are a bit different here but I can relate. I got my BPI from MVA. One of hte things I paid extra for was all this crap if I got in a wreck, the would pay and I would be ok. They paid lost wages from work for 3 years! I am now past that 3 years and still wondring what am I going to do. Here you file for Social Security Disability. I did that and we denied with in 4 weeks! I got a lawyer and appealed it, it has been 2 years now and i Still dont have a court date even!

The system sucks, to put it nicely! Would it be worth it financially for Michael to get a job?

Hopefully Jamie will pop in here and maybe have some advice...... Best of luck to you both!!

COurt xx

hi narelle and michael!

what a runaround you're getting! sounds like you live here in canada! (you, too, courtney!).

i've been on disability for about 18 months now. i was lucky that i didn't have to appeal it. however, the federal government has said i can go back to school work, as long as i don't make over a certain amount, without it affecting my benefits. HOWEVER, the provincial government (which pays my drugs, dental and eye glasses) have told me i must wait at least 3 years "to see how far the nerves regenerate"! if i go to work, or even to school, in that 3 years, i lose my benefits!!!

i share a place with my mum, and she's on a pension, so money is already tight! i'll be starting year 3 next month so, needless to say, i'm going spare! esp. in the winter when it's too cold for my hand to be outside.

i wish i had answers for you and michael. tell him to keep his chin up and keep trying. of course, with this being bpi awareness week, perhaps you could go to the media with this dilemma? just a suggestion.

hugs,

jan

p.s. feel free to always vent - that's what we're here for!

Never apologise for having a bitching session!! ;0) I do it all the time...it makes me feel better and my poor computer doesn't get bashed to h*ll!

The benefits/disability/incentives to work thing is a complete minefield, whichever country you live in. I've been aware of so many anomalies and completely mystifying facets of the system over here for many years. It's utterly mind blowing the hoops some people have to jump thru to get what is after all their right, and keep it for a little while longer while they ease themselves back into the working mainstream.

If only the politicians who set these benefit rules could live at least one week as a disabled person (please excuse the 'D'word, I don't usually use it!)or at least seriously take some advice from the Disability Groups then we might well get somewhere. That day is a long way off tho I fear.

Have a look at this site from the UK (BETCHA you can't keep awake long enough to read to the end!....!) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... /40107.htm
and this from the USA about their benefits system: http://www.thedisabilityexpert.com/Work ... efits.html (sorry about the stupidly long URL, but it seems fitting considering the subject!)

All this just goes to prove that neither one nor the other government seem to get it right by over-complicating what should be a fairly simple thing. I have no doubt it is just as ridiculously complicated in OZ and I do sympathise with you even if I can't be of much help.

My best advice is for you to really delve into the system there and find out about everything that Michael is entitled to, particularly with help on getting back to work or full/part time education. There may be grants or something..

Over here, if you are entitled to some help financially from the DSS it's up you to to discover this for yourself. They will NEVER tell you. I know many people over here, working or not that are entitled to certain benefits and have been for years but never knew.

Good luck; let us know how you get on :0)

Lizzyb