Getting assessed for PIP for a Brain Injury (BI) is very hard and often traumatic for the carers or even those with BI. If by working together, we can make a change for the better, then both BI Survivors and Carers will have the time to do whats needed to be done. Look after and care for without the additional stress. If this works. Great. If not. We are still in the same boat. 

We ask that a Brain Injury is treated as a lifelong incurable condition, to be accepted and implemented on forms as a known lifelong disability.  In addition to making the current and future systems more humane by accepting the medical evidence AS IS, alongside the current 'how it affects you' and grant the TOP LEVEL award for each individual case, for life as this is a permanent  and debilitating change to a person.

We are asking that PIP Assessments, do not subject the person to the farcical 'assessments' as it is appears that the 'Assessors' have very little, or no knowledge of BI in general. Not to mention even recognised as a disability.

As BI Survivors and Carers of BI Survivors, we see a need for a positive change to the way that PIP for a BI person is done. We see no reason for these 'face to face' assessments, or telephone assessments for the above reasons as they only serve to cause more harm to the person in the long term. 

Brain injuries never fully get better. This is the 'Control Centre' for the entire body. If this is damaged, there are many well researched and documented affects of both physical and cognitive abilities, both of which are NEVER going to be the same as pre-injury. Memory, Speach, Literacy, Mood, Balance, Planning things,  Money Managememt, loss of friends / family who cant cope because of the changes, these  are just some of the many changes that a BI survivor goes through. 

But..the effects get worse, Especially when factored in mood changes, mental health conditions as a direct result, the mental fatigue - equivalent to trying to run the same distance, at the same speed, but with shorter legs etc.

We are just starting to recognise brain injuries in sport, ie football, boxing etc and the effects that it has as a cumulative affect on the person. This is a permanent incapacitation. 

Brain Injuries have a detrimental and lifelong effect on both the survivor, and their carer(s) IF they are lucky enough to have someone filling this role. 

For others, That support that we need, even to do basic things that people without a brain injury would be able to do, without much thought, or effort, simple things like making a drink. that in itself is an uphill challenge for some, let alone the mental fatigue that comes with each task.

We ask that claiming PIP for BI is made quicker based on medical evidence and automatically granted.