Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6)

Hello folks,

Does anyone have any experience of this condition? My wife has it. She has been off work for some time. Her employer has advised her that her full Sick Pay is running out and suggests that she claims ESA. They are also looking at early retirement through Ill-Health. Can you claim ESA and still be employed on half pay?

Her GP and specialists are in agreement that the condition will only get worse and she will eventually need a wheelchair and care; at the moment she gets dizzy, has trouble maintaining her balance, struggles with speaking sometimes (her voice gets slurred) and has trouble reading and writing due to blurred vision and lack of eye/hand coordination.

I have looked at the notes here and I am not sure if she has a "physical" or "mental" problem.

As her mobility is severely compromised (she furniture surfs indoors and has to hold onto me outdoors), in addition to ESA I thought she could also make a claim for PIP or will we have to wait for her condition to deteriorate so that she is in a wheelchair?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Hi there im alison , sca 6 is a physical progressive neurological and neuromuscular disability , sorry to hear of all problems. i have sca 1 aren't we lucky ha ha . Ataxia its like a cross between ms and muscular dystophy affects balance and muscle control and walking ability . I use an electric wheelchair and am visually impaired but my type of ataxia is different . Yes problems with speech and walking and blurred vision and co ordination common with all types of spino cerebellar ataxia . Just thought i would say hi and let you know there are others out here with same thing as its pretty rare , when i was walking long long time ago i was also doing the furniture surfing . Apply for pip should meet both care and mobility easily no need to wait until needing a wheelchair . Ataxia uk might be able to put you in touch with a support group if there is one in your area .

Alison