Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Jeff Clare Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Jeff Clare I didn't get the impression the assessor had read Jeff's reports or had an understanding of brain injury Brain injury survivor Jeff Clare, 60, and his partner Heather, 57, know first-hand the benefits of having a PIP assessor who understands brain injury. Jeff, of Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire, fell ill with encephalitis in 2010. He was left with memory, concentration and mobility problems, as well as fatigue. After a distressing and disappointing PIP assessment in 2013, Heather was too stressed to appeal the decision on her husband's behalf. “I didn't get the impression the assessor had read Jeff's reports or had an understanding of brain injury," Heather said. “She did not appear confident and was trying to fit Jeff's abilities into boxes rather than assessing him as an individual or looking at his needs.” But after six months, Heather requested a reassessment, which was conducted by someone with an understanding of brain injury. "I actually enjoyed the second assessment because it felt like talking to one of the professionals at the hospital," she said. "He had read through all of my husbands' reports and started the assessment by giving us a summary of what he thought the reports stated. He asked us if we agreed with his summary. "We were very happy with the way he summarised things. It was reassuring that he had taken the time to read and understand the reports. Everything was clearly explained to us about the assessment process. "It was clear to me that the person conducting the assessment had a good knowledge of the fluctuating nature of brain injury and how it could impact on everyday life. "I felt confident throughout the assessment that my husband was being viewed as an individual and his needs were being assessed fairly. "I would love it if everybody could have the experience we had. It was how it should be." Back to stories index Right First Time The Right First Time campaign is calling on the government to bring in changes to the disability benefit assessments which currently fail a large number of brain injury survivors and their families. Find out more Get it Right First Time, charity urges Find out more Welfare benefits A brain injury is likely to have an effect on a family's finances, and claiming benefits can help to ease the pressure. Find out more Related resources Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway.org.uk Join our online Community 27k Likes 25k Followers 3k Subscribers Privacy policy Cookies Terms & Conditions Accessibility Contact Us Resource centre Find a Headway Approved care providers Charity shops Fundraising comments, feedback and complaints Vacancies Join our mailing list Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893. © Copyright Headway 2021 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker By clicking 'Accept All Cookies’ you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This will help us to offer the best possible experience and develop more of the information you need. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings