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The mother of a severely disabled teenager has slammed the decision to refuse her daughter's Personal Independence Payment claim.

Talitha Grace McClenahan, 17, from Tyrone, Northern Ireland, has Down's syndrome, a heart condition, scoliosis and other health complications.

Mum Deborah, 49, said she was supposed to have the PIP claim forms sent in by the end of last August.

But Talitha Grace took ill and the paperwork was not handed in until the beginning of September, reports the Belfast Telegraph.

The frustrated mum was told on November 5 that her daughter's Disability Living Allowance (DLA) would be stopped the following week, and that the PIP claim had been rejected.

Deborah's Carer's Allowance has also been stopped.

(Image: Facebook)

And she claims there is a "lack of compassion" in the decision.

She told the paper: "I'm angry at the injustice. It seems that there is a lack of humanity and compassion

"She needs 24-hour nursing care and supervision, someone with her at all times.

"As well as the Down's syndrome and the cardiac condition, she had a traumatic brain injury at three months old, leading to the other conditions.

"She has extensive brain damage, which means her left side is badly affected, and the right-sided hemiparesis means there is no movement on her right side.

"She can raise her left hand up but can't bring it to her mouth, and there's no grip reflex, she can't hold onto a spoon. She is wheelchair-bound, she can't stand or move her legs, she has problems with her hips."

Deborah said the PIP claim was rejected - and when the family lodged it a second time - they were told the original decision stood.

She also revealed she was visited by a PIP assessor in November 2017, but he did not ask to see Talitha Grace in person.

(Image: Facebook)

And Talitha Grace is now facing more surgery and will undergo a procedure on her spine due to her scoliosis.

Deborah said: "She has had a growth spurt, one side is growing and one is not growing, so it is in an S-shape due to the scoliosis, which will eventually affect her bowels and lungs.

"So not having surgery isn't an option any more.

"She had major cardiac surgery in 2001, and she could have the surgery for scoliosis in June or July. My daughter has been likened to a newborn baby, but I think a newborn would have more head control.

"She can't walk, wash, feed or dress herself."

The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland said they will look into the concerns and get in touch with the family, the Belfast Telegraph reports.