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Are owners of high value cars guaranteed to not become disabled?.

(19 Posts)
HUNTERF Tue 16-Apr-13 14:45:56

Just been out and saw some older women complaining about an up market Mercedes being parked in a disabled bay.
It was 13 registration and had a valid blue badge in the windscreen.
I am wondering what grounds these women have to complain?.
I thought disability could hit anybody.

Frank

gracesmum Tue 16-Apr-13 14:51:47

Frank is this another wind-up? I don't know what you are getting at, it is a silly question and if the women were complaining just because it was a Merc then they are silly too. And is a Merc all that special anyway? I know a few people with Mercs (including SIL)and they have them becasue they are good cars, not as any sort of status symbol.
Of course disability hits everybody. confused

Galen Tue 16-Apr-13 15:43:24

I drive a merc b class and I have a blue badge!

bentley49 Tue 16-Apr-13 16:16:58

I would say if somebody could afford an up market merc they do not need a blue badge.

They can afford a taxi.

Gerry

sunseeker Tue 16-Apr-13 16:18:50

Sorry Gerry but that is probably the most foolish statement I have heard in a long time - perhaps you were joking?

ninathenana Tue 16-Apr-13 16:25:29

sunseeker you put that far more politely than I wanted too smile

MrsJamJam Tue 16-Apr-13 16:26:06

Gerry, we act as transport for my very frail elderly parents. Most taxis cannot take them as they cannot get in and out unaided. Without their blue badges they would be trapped indoors all the time, and while they may be physically falling apart they still have lively minds that need stimulation and enjoyment.
I expect our car looks pretty upmarket, but frailty is not confined to those on low incomes.

gracesmum Tue 16-Apr-13 16:37:37

Bentley49/Gerry - that is unfair and the sort of inverted snobbery and sweeping generalisation I assume Fran was talking about. I don't suppose you have taken your user name from YOUR current model?
#Skodadriver

sunseeker Tue 16-Apr-13 16:56:27

I have a feeling that Bentley49/Gerry is a wind up merchant!

gracesmum Tue 16-Apr-13 16:57:45

In a wind-up car!!gringrin

absent Tue 16-Apr-13 17:00:03

Blue badges have nothing to do with money and everything to do with disability. Do keep up Gerry, you're making yourself look ridiculous.

HUNTERF Tue 16-Apr-13 17:37:38

I had an almost new Volvo when my father first qualified for a disabled badge.
I took him to places 250 miles away from home. Imagine the cost of a taxi and we carried a fair amount of luggage.
Dad did have a wheel chair for a time when I had the Volvo but it was difficult to get it in and we then went for a Honda Jazz which was down market but more suitable for our needs.
Oddly enough Dad did recover to some extent and seldom used the wheel chair but we still took it on holidays even though I took a balanced risk on shorter journeys and left it at home. I could have left Dad in a supermarket for example and returned with his wheel chair although shops often had them.
Dad still qualified for a blue badge.
I am now on my third Honda Jazz which was purchased when Dad was alive and I like that car.
I may go for another type of car when I am due to change but I am not definite I will.

Frank

shysal Tue 16-Apr-13 18:17:43

Frank, I am also on my third Honda Jazz. I love the storage options.

harrigran Tue 16-Apr-13 22:42:13

We have a big Mercedes and I am quite likely to become disabled if I have to lift my GD into her car seat for much longer grin

susieb755 Wed 17-Apr-13 20:44:06

I am disabled and have a blue badge, I don't look disabled except people notice the droop on my face, people often think I am lazy for taking lifts,or pulling a fast one when I park in disabled bay - I have been challenged to show my photo on the badge !

I'd happily give away my car, and catch a bus forever ( free I believe when old enough ) if I could be pain free, and know I could walk safely without falling over - in the past few years I have broken my collar bone, ribs, hand and fractured my cheekbone through falling.....

What really gets to me, is people parking in the bays without a badge !Why don't the supermarkets check !
Mind you - the current trend for sub zero temperatures in the chilled aisles makes my fingers unworkable, so I doubt Ill be shopping there much longer !

Galen Wed 17-Apr-13 20:52:24

Hear hear! I got pipped to a space the other day by a man who then sprinted the hundred yards to his destination! I looked at his blue badge. It had been altered in typed!angry

Elegran Wed 17-Apr-13 20:57:01

Should have used your mobile phone to take a picture of it, Galen, and sent it to the apropriate authority! And taken his registration number.

Elegran Wed 17-Apr-13 20:58:38

I don't think the supermarkets have any authority to actually do anything to people who park illegally in disabled spaces.

Galen Wed 17-Apr-13 21:37:42

Waitrose used to fine them.