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Ive got a very rare form of diabetes which is purely genetic ( not type 1 or 2) its a form of mody. I dnt inject insulin, i am taking new type of tablet which doesnt do what norm type 2 tablets do eg metformin- it does the same as insulin. Cant b arsed to go into it anyway.... Im a dance student who is really quite poor- cant afford alot of food. As a dance student im exercising at least 5 hours a day- intensively. I go hypo alot. But when i dnt take my meds i am badly hyper n dnt wake up for like 12 hrs at a time. Do u think dsa would be able to help me pay for glucose tablets, extra food? I know it doesnt sound like much, and i wouldnt need much from the dsa either- but i cant actually afford to buy glucose tablets- sad i know but i really am that desperate. Im overweight ( thanx tablets) but v fit but obv cant stop exercisin due to course n loosin weight to help my mody. Arghh help? I dnt like askin for stuff
Original post by jellybelly92
I have just applied for the DSA and I was wondering whether I will receive it as I have diabetes? If so does anyone know how much I might be entitled to if so?

Thanks :smile:


This thread is indicative of the benefits culture in Britain. OP, you have diabetes - that must be hard for you, but you already have a health service dealing with it paid for you via our taxes. What possible moral justification can you have for taking more out of other people's hard earned pay packets? The more that goes to people who don't need it, the less there is for the truly needy.

Please have the moral fibre to cancel your application. Thank you.
(edited 13 years ago)
Original post by RightSaidJames
Diabetes is hardly a disability, it's just a condition that requires you to schedule your meals, stab yourself 4 times a day and regularly prick your fingers. I don't see how DSA would be of any benefit to your studying.


U r ignorant. Poorly controlled diabetes leads to blindness, amputation, major organ failure, ummm... Oh yeah- death.
U obviously do nt have a clue about diabetes- congratulations on being naive and childish.

O but dnt worry, the next time i see my friend in hospital awaitin a double transplant among many other things ill just tell her to get over herself- all shes gotta do is stab herself and prick her finger now and then.

Oh and by the way, im also diabetic.
And yes it does affect my studying, im a dancer.
Oh and no, i dnt claim dsa im just bored and browsing
Reply 24
Original post by mellymoocow007

Original post by mellymoocow007
Ive got a very rare form of diabetes which is purely genetic ( not type 1 or 2) its a form of mody. I dnt inject insulin, i am taking new type of tablet which doesnt do what norm type 2 tablets do eg metformin- it does the same as insulin. Cant b arsed to go into it anyway.... Im a dance student who is really quite poor- cant afford alot of food. As a dance student im exercising at least 5 hours a day- intensively. I go hypo alot. But when i dnt take my meds i am badly hyper n dnt wake up for like 12 hrs at a time. Do u think dsa would be able to help me pay for glucose tablets, extra food? I know it doesnt sound like much, and i wouldnt need much from the dsa either- but i cant actually afford to buy glucose tablets- sad i know but i really am that desperate. Im overweight ( thanx tablets) but v fit but obv cant stop exercisin due to course n loosin weight to help my mody. Arghh help? I dnt like askin for stuff

I think you need to go to your doctor and see what they can do. You don't have extra costs due to studying, so it's unlikely you'll get DSA. But your doctor should be able to help you control it better.
It's unlikely you'll get anything through DSA. It's not about controlling your disability, it's about helping put you on a level with others. So you wouldn't get prescriptions or 'mars bars' or whatever, but you might be entitled to a dictaphone or note-taker in case you go hyper and can't make it into a lecture.

Go to an assessment and talk it through with them :smile:
Original post by mellymoocow007
U r ignorant. Poorly controlled diabetes leads to blindness, amputation, major organ failure, ummm... Oh yeah- death.
U obviously do nt have a clue about diabetes- congratulations on being naive and childish.

O but dnt worry, the next time i see my friend in hospital awaitin a double transplant among many other things ill just tell her to get over herself- all shes gotta do is stab herself and prick her finger now and then.

Oh and by the way, im also diabetic.
And yes it does affect my studying, im a dancer.


That's not what I meant - what I mean is that Well Controlled Diabetes shouldn't affect most people's studies if they're doing an academic degree. Sure there are health risks and the possibility of complications, but I personally can't think of many that would require a regular income or specialist equipment/software (perhaps a dictaphone would be helpful if you have issues of tiredness).
OP, discuss it with your disability advisor - they'll do an individual assessment and see what might help you.. I got mine for a printer/scanner and various software + photocopying allowance, dictaphone - I have dyspraxia so have issues taking notes and writing essays.

Those of you questioning this - in order to get it you have to sit through an assessment of up to two hours - in which someone you don't know asks you questions about everything and anything (even personal matters). They will not simply give it to you, it's not that easy.

And once you've got it - you have to produce receipts for every single item. You can't just throw it around.

As someone's already said - you can easily have my DSA, you'll just have to take my dyspraxia, depression and anxiety disorder on too :smile: would gladly give up a free printer if it meant I could be normal!!
Reply 28
Just wondering if anyone could help me,

Last June I suffered a major stroke, and although I have recovered well I was wondering if I would be able to receive any help in the form of DSA? Due to my stroke I have a great deal of difficulty writing and have to do my exams, school work etc on a laptop, obviously a laptop would be too big for me to carry around campus (weakness on my right side) and a teacher recommended I got a Netbook?Obviously, it would have to be a very good one with a good memory, but I would not be able to afford this of my own accord.

Other than that I am going to pay other costs (where possible) myself.
Reply 29
Original post by AskMeAnything
This thread is indicative of the benefits culture in Britain. OP, you have diabetes - that must be hard for you, but you already have a health service dealing with it paid for you via our taxes. What possible moral justification can you have for taking more out of other people's hard earned pay packets? The more that goes to people who don't need it, the less there is for the truly needy.

Please have the moral fibre to cancel your application. Thank you.


First of all, Disabled Students Allowance is not a benefit. It is a grant for those with disabilities who face additional study costs as a result of disability.

If a student receives DSA then they presumably need it. It will not reduce the amount available to other students or "the truly needy".

Secondly, how do you know the OP (or anyone with diabetes) isn't "truly needy"? They're complete strangers on the Internet. You've never met him or her.

The person in question has possibly worked for a number of years and paid plenty into the system and/or his or her parents have without taking anything out. Once graduated he/she will hopefully get a good paying job and paying far more into the system than he/she will take out.

Even if the student does not then providing he/she is at a genuine disadvantage and faces additional study costs then he/she is fully entitled to claim. Especially if it is support that he/she is legally entitled to.

Original post by mellymoocow007
Ive got a very rare form of diabetes which is purely genetic ( not type 1 or 2) its a form of mody. I dnt inject insulin, i am taking new type of tablet which doesnt do what norm type 2 tablets do eg metformin- it does the same as insulin. Cant b arsed to go into it anyway.... Im a dance student who is really quite poor- cant afford alot of food. As a dance student im exercising at least 5 hours a day- intensively. I go hypo alot. But when i dnt take my meds i am badly hyper n dnt wake up for like 12 hrs at a time. Do u think dsa would be able to help me pay for glucose tablets, extra food? I know it doesnt sound like much, and i wouldnt need much from the dsa either- but i cant actually afford to buy glucose tablets- sad i know but i really am that desperate. Im overweight ( thanx tablets) but v fit but obv cant stop exercisin due to course n loosin weight to help my mody. Arghh help? I dnt like askin for stuff


Unfortunately DSA will not cover this. DSA is only available to meet additional study costs and glucose tablets and additional food will not count as they aren't related to studying. Study costs include things like books, photocopying, computer software and hardware as well as help with getting around campus and using the library or other facilities.

Have you applied for Disability Living Allowance (a government benefit for people with mobility or care needs)? I'm not saying you're entitled to it. But, if you do successfully apply then this will provide some additional money which can then be used on things such as this (indirectly) and other things that will help you manage your condition. But whether or not you're entitled to it is open to question and applying can be complicated. If you want advice then just ask and I'll be happy to help.

But the first thing you need to do is see your doctor and ask if he or she can help. If you're having trouble managing your condition then you must let your doctor now. He/she will possibly be able to put tablets on prescription. So this will hopefully cost you nothing.

Original post by Graceyy
Just wondering if anyone could help me,

Last June I suffered a major stroke, and although I have recovered well I was wondering if I would be able to receive any help in the form of DSA? Due to my stroke I have a great deal of difficulty writing and have to do my exams, school work etc on a laptop, obviously a laptop would be too big for me to carry around campus (weakness on my right side) and a teacher recommended I got a Netbook?Obviously, it would have to be a very good one with a good memory, but I would not be able to afford this of my own accord.

Other than that I am going to pay other costs (where possible) myself.


It certainly sounds as though you'll be entitled to DSA yes. You may be entitled to a voice recorder (to record lectures and seminars). Laptop may be difficult as they are rarely recommended anymore with desktops being default unless mobility really is needed. It would be possible to jusify a laptop in your case but, if not, you could still possibly get an alphasmart keyboard (a very light mobile word processor) and a desktop PC for home. Or a notetaker to take notes for you when in lectures.

This, and any other support you can get, would need to be discussed in your needs assessment and the assessor will make the decision about what is appropriate in your case (with input and feedback from you). So I certainly think you should apply.
(edited 13 years ago)
Reply 30
Original post by River85




It certainly sounds as though you'll be entitled to DSA yes. You may be entitled to a voice recorder (to record lectures and seminars). Laptop may be difficult as they are rarely recommended anymore with desktops being default unless mobility really is needed. It would be possible to jusify a laptop in your case but, if not, you could still possibly get an alphasmart keyboard (a very light mobile word processor) and a desktop PC for home. Or a notetaker to take notes for you when in lectures.

This, and any other support you can get, would need to be discussed in your needs assessment and the assessor will make the decision about what is appropriate in your case (with input and feedback from you). So I certainly think you should apply.



Thank you very much :smile:
Reply 31
Original post by Graceyy
Thank you very much :smile:


No worries :hat2: I can't say exactly what sort of support you can get, of course, as that needs to be discussed between you and your assessor. But you certainly should be able to get some help through DSA.

Either way you never know unless you apply! Good luck.
Reply 32
I have Irlen syndrome, which means my brain is not able to process the full spectrum of light. It results in reading problems amongst other things. I also have major depressive disorder. Will I be able to get DSA for either of these?
I have a hearing impairment and I can qualify for DSA next year when I apply. The money goes towards specialist equipment. :smile:

But if you have a disability and it is actually recognised as a disability then you have every right to apply for DSA.
Just to clarify - The DSA will help fund any student who incurs extra costs due to their disability or are at a disadvantage eg - mobility issues. If your disability doesn't affect your studies, you won't get it.
Original post by rogoyski
I have Irlen syndrome, which means my brain is not able to process the full spectrum of light. It results in reading problems amongst other things. I also have major depressive disorder. Will I be able to get DSA for either of these?


Highly likely if you find things like computer screens hard to read, or books. They can recommend software that reads things to you out loud.

Not sure about funding for the depressive disorder, it depends if it's been officially diagnosed (this goes for the Irlen syndrome too) and if it affects your ability to study.
Original post by RightSaidJames
Diabetes is hardly a disability, it's just a condition that requires you to schedule your meals, stab yourself 4 times a day and regularly prick your fingers. I don't see how DSA would be of any benefit to your studying.


ahh ignorance is bliss! you fail to grasp the fact that diabetes takes over people's lives and cause many side effects etc. i have diabetes, and this was one of the factors which has brought on other complications such as depression and loss of sensitivity in the fingers. diabetes can be a disability and is SO much more than 'stabbing yourself 4 times a day'.
DSA will also recommend things such as exam concessions if required.