Lyn and Teresa’s story
Lyn and daughter Teresa share their story of how Brain Tumour Support has changed their lives.
Brain Tumour Support has been an absolute lifeline for me and my family.
Lyn
My daughter, Teresa, was a healthy, happy 16-year-old who, when not in school, enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. In 1987 she started to experience fatigue and headaches. Some days they were so bad that she could not get out of bed. Following multiple visits to her GP, she was referred to the neuro team at Southmead Hospital, Bristol where they told her she had a malignant medulloblastoma.
Overnight her world changed, our world changed.
The long-term effects of the brain tumour have been huge. Teresa has faced multiple operations and has numerous disabilities, including problems with balance and memory. She has missed the dreams and ambitions that shape life for most young people.
Unable to work, Teresa was awarded a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and then a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) through the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). These benefits, along with a Motability car, enabled Teresa to maintain some independence, leave the house, socialise and feel connected to ‘normal’ life.
I could see the emotion and desperation that Teresa was feeling. The impact of benefits decisions can be monumental, it can literally sometimes break someone. I knew that our Welfare Benefits specialist, Vicki, would do all she could to help Teresa, so referred her to our in-house service straightaway.
Tania (Support Professional)
However, in May this year, following an unexpected telephone review, the DWP withdrew Teresa’s mobility benefit. The decision stripped my daughter of her independence and caused her a huge amount of worry and stress. She was unable to leave the house unless she had someone to accompany her. She applied for the decision to be reconsidered but the application was rejected. Her mental wellbeing was severely impacted and she felt utterly hopeless.
Then we found Brain Tumour Support and Tania, our local Support Professional. Teresa had found a lifeline.
Tania put us forward to the charity’s benefits specialist, Vicki, and Teresa and I had an emotional conversation with her, explaining the impact of the removal of Teresa’s benefits and Motability car. Vicki then supported Teresa in lodging an appeal. Once they had received the evidence and case for appeal, the DWP reversed their decision, and in addition, awarded enhanced rates for PIP for mobility and daily living.
This has been truly life-changing for Teresa and us as a family. Thanks to the specialist emotional and practical support given by Tania and Vicki, Teresa has her independence this Christmas. She is able to do the things most of us take for granted – go shopping, see friends and go to Christmas parties. The things that make life fun and worth living.
I was over the moon
when my benefits were reinstated and I could get my car back. Without that, I was so cut off and felt desperate. It really was the best early Christmas present I could have wished for.
Teresa
Our family received this support owing to generous donations to Brain Tumour Support. There are thousands of other families in dire need of support and the charity needs more money to be able to provide it. Their services are currently stretched to the limit so more funds are needed urgently. I know times may be tough for us all right now, but if you are able to, please consider donating today.
Lyn | December 2023
Please help to ensure these lifeline support services can continue.
Make a donation to Save Our Support.
Donate to our SOS Appeal today
To learn more about the difference our support is making to so many lives, and how you could get involved too, read our latest Support Matters Newsletter, Winter 2023
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