This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-34185594
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Amnesia sufferer Nikki Pegram declared fit to work | Amnesia sufferer Nikki Pegram declared fit to work |
(1 day later) | |
A woman says she has been deemed fit to work despite a condition which makes her think every day is 15 October 2014. | A woman says she has been deemed fit to work despite a condition which makes her think every day is 15 October 2014. |
Nikki Pegram, 28, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has had memory loss since a fall a year ago. | Nikki Pegram, 28, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has had memory loss since a fall a year ago. |
She used to work as a pub manager and was also able to claim benefits because of other health issues. She now has no job and no disability benefits. | She used to work as a pub manager and was also able to claim benefits because of other health issues. She now has no job and no disability benefits. |
The Department for Work and Pensions said Ms Pegram's circumstances had changed and she was entitled to appeal. | The Department for Work and Pensions said Ms Pegram's circumstances had changed and she was entitled to appeal. |
Ms Pegram fell and banged her head as she was leaving Kettering General following an appointment for a knee problem last October. | Ms Pegram fell and banged her head as she was leaving Kettering General following an appointment for a knee problem last October. |
'Relies on diary' | 'Relies on diary' |
She developed anterograde amnesia, which means she cannot create new memories and believes each day is the day of her hospital appointment. | She developed anterograde amnesia, which means she cannot create new memories and believes each day is the day of her hospital appointment. |
She takes notes and reads the diary each morning to help her get through the day. | She takes notes and reads the diary each morning to help her get through the day. |
Her partner Chris Johnston said: "She lives her life on a day-to-day basis - she doesn't know what she did yesterday, last week, last month. | Her partner Chris Johnston said: "She lives her life on a day-to-day basis - she doesn't know what she did yesterday, last week, last month. |
"She has to rely on the diary she's got and she has to rely on me." | "She has to rely on the diary she's got and she has to rely on me." |
Before the accident, she claimed personal independence payment (PIP) for her physical health problems, which included chronic pain, osteoporosis and polymyalgia. | Before the accident, she claimed personal independence payment (PIP) for her physical health problems, which included chronic pain, osteoporosis and polymyalgia. |
Park keeper Mr Johnston hoped they would be entitled to more help. | |
Ms Pegram was reassessed and has since been stripped of more than £200 a fortnight. | Ms Pegram was reassessed and has since been stripped of more than £200 a fortnight. |
She is entitled to claim about £70 a week, dependant on a GP note, in employment support allowance, Mr Johnston said. | She is entitled to claim about £70 a week, dependant on a GP note, in employment support allowance, Mr Johnston said. |
'Training every day' | 'Training every day' |
"She was declared fit for work because she can walk 200m and she can talk without prompting," said Mr Johnston. | "She was declared fit for work because she can walk 200m and she can talk without prompting," said Mr Johnston. |
"I don't see how they could have come to that conclusion. She's not got better, she's got worse. | "I don't see how they could have come to that conclusion. She's not got better, she's got worse. |
"She can't work - she won't know where's she working, what she's doing, you'd have to train her every day." | "She can't work - she won't know where's she working, what she's doing, you'd have to train her every day." |
Mr Johnston said they would appeal, but he did not expect the case to be settled for many months. | Mr Johnston said they would appeal, but he did not expect the case to be settled for many months. |
The DWP said: "Personal independence payment is awarded on the basis of how someone's condition affects them rather than simply on the condition itself. | The DWP said: "Personal independence payment is awarded on the basis of how someone's condition affects them rather than simply on the condition itself. |
"Decisions are made after consideration of all the evidence, including an assessment and any information provided by the claimant and their GP." | "Decisions are made after consideration of all the evidence, including an assessment and any information provided by the claimant and their GP." |