Presh Ugbor wrote: I was told by the job centre to sign of sick and get incapacity benefit, but they didnt give it to me because i didnt pay enough tax credits at uni.
I too was only able to work part-time while at 6th Form and Uni, and when I found myself in your situation they tried pulling the same one on me - I had to point out the clause on their own form that caters for this very circumstance - it covers people who have not accrued enough NI credits due to attending higher education.
Having pointed out their error it turned out I qualified to have the Incapacity Benefit pay my NI contributions for me, I also came to receive the lower rates of Income Support and Disibility Living Allowance for a time.
No doubt being registered blind you may qualify for additional/other help. Although I have to ask, were you registered blind and put on the graft waiting list by Carlisle hospital without them even trying to fit with you with contact lenses?!
Because if you had been provided with well-fitted lenses it would have made a world of difference to your life, and you probably would not have been registered blind (as it is based on your corrected vision so you may not have qualified).
I too went from diagnosis to graft in around 4 years, but that was only after going through dozens of lenses and having problems with dry eyes/lens intolerance and scarring. Even though I am happy with my graft I was annoyed when I later discovered that there were other types of lenses that were not offered to me first, so I can only imagine how you must feel - hopefully the 2 year wait for your graft will pan out to be a blessing in disguise.
I can't believe how you've been failed by the system - makes me realise how lucky I've been to have a decent eye department nearby and a reasonably understanding University.
Rob.
