A WOMAN from York who was diagnosed with early onset dementia in her 50s has spoken of her devastation that her disability payments have been cut.

Wendy Mitchell, 60, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2014, and has inadvertently become a representative for people with dementia through her determination to raise awareness - appearing on the national news, addressing the House of Lords and working with researchers.

Wendy was shocked to learn that her Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for people with a long term disability have been cut. She now faces a daunting six years of living on a minimum NHS pension.

The decision has been questioned by the many people who read her blog online, as well as Alzheimer’s Society and Healthwatch York.

Wendy said: “I had the devastating news that I was no longer applicable to receive any payment, which is very strange since I was before and I have more challenges now than I did 18 months ago at the first assessment.

“They gave some really bizarre reasons as to why I no longer qualified, including the fact that I can prepare a meal – I can’t – I can talk normally – I can’t – and I can walk normally – which again, I can’t.

York Press:

“I even have an adequate memory. Well that’s real news to me and I only wish I had.”

Wendy is now due to appeal the decision with the help of her daughters but she said she doesn’t hold out much hope. “It appears the system is broken,” she said.

Writing for her blog she said the assessor’s comments clearly showed they have no understanding of dementia and certainly not early onset dementia. “The fact that it’s a progressive, terminal illness and my symptoms have got worse since my last assessment and will continue to do so, seems to be irrelevant.”

Wend was diagnosed after experiencing symptoms such as forgetting words, failing to recognise people she had known for years and forgetting where she was.

The mum-of-two lived in York and worked for the NHS, but recently moved from the city to Beverley and had her assessment in Hull.

Earlier this year the formula the government uses to calculate the daily living component of Personal Independence Payments changed to be more stringent.

George McNamara, head of policy and public affairs at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are very aware of serious flaws in the Personal Independent Payments assessment process when it comes to people with dementia.

"This includes a poor understanding of the needs of younger people with dementia and limited recognition of the types of dementia that predominately affect younger people and their symptoms. We have provided information on dementia to assessors but have continued to be disappointed by the response.”

The Department for Work and Pensions would not comment without Wendy’s National Insurance number, which she declined to supply.