Blue badges.

Lovemylife

My mum got one at 93. She’d long given up driving and could walk a little way. However she had dementia, so if I dropped her off somewhere and went to park she had no idea why she was there and got thoroughly confused. A blue badge made all the difference.

A friend used to get very cross about blue badge spaces being abused. She had secondary lung cancer and breathing was difficult. She didn’t have the energy to complain. I still look at the badges in car parks as I walk past as she requested, even though she died many years ago.

Sorry annsixty, a bit off topic.

I used to have to borrow the care home’s blue badge - thank goodness they had one - when taking my mother (dementia) to e.g. the optician. It was impossible to drop her off anywhere - she’d forget within seconds that I was coming back very soon and get in a complete panic. And though not disabled as such, she was too frail to walk from the car park.

At a slightly earlier stage of dementia I’d tried leaving an A4 sheet with BIG PRINT on her lap in the car, saying JUST GONE TO X - BACK IN 2 MINUTES! - of course it was useless, she’d panic anyway, but you only learn these things the hard way. 🙁

I have a curved spine and a gammy leg and find it difficult to walk and negotiating down steps is really scary without help. I can drive but so many parking spaces are too narrow for me to get out of the car which is very painful if I can manage it at all. I keep thinking about getting a blue badge but I wonder if I fit the criteria. Worth a try perhaps!

Easily said Chardy but like most things these days even paid staff are reluctant to challenge for proof of identity, in case of verbal or physical abuse. DD2 is frequently glared at when pulling into a disabled bay space and once was asked by an angry woman if she was disabled. DD2 replied that the wheelchair, visible in her boot was not a ‘f**king fashion accessory’! At Arnison Centre near me, there is an area of disabled parking right outside Next and I would estimate half a dozen cars parked there during the day, are collecting or returning parcels to that store. They could well be just a few minutes, but in that time, a disabled person could have seen no spaces and missed out on an outing. The Company in charge of parking allows a 4 hour stay, before imposing a parking fine, but it’s camera controlled and there are no feet on the ground at all. I’ve joked with a friend that I’d do it for free!

I’ve said this before, but we feel there should be a different approach to Blue Badge parking and the wider spaces (with crossed lines) being reserved for wheelchair users. These might not need to be immediately outside a venue, as the users of both self propelled and electric wheelchairs are usually capable of being a little further away - within reason.
However, those with mobility problems, should have the standard width Blue Badge bays nearest the venue.

Before I’m shot down in flames, I should add that this is the firm belief of DD2 who is a self propelled wheelchair user. She was at Newcastle’s RVI yesterday - no available Blue Badge parking, even though signs had asked non wheelchair users not to use the wide bays. Apparently some cars were occupied by the driver just waiting, which makes one wonder is it the disabled person at an appointment, or has the disabled person dropped off and is waiting for someone able bodied? A friend of mine used to take her son (RVI) for his regular appointments, then she’d head off shopping in Newcastle leaving her car (Blue Badge) occupying a space for several hours. He’d then phone her when he was ready and she’d go back to take him home - I can’t tell you how annoyed I was and told her so!
When DD2 eventually found a space elsewhere within the hospital grounds, there were no dropped kerbs and she was forced to use the road in several places.

Many more Blue Badges are now being issued to those who’s disability is hidden - but there’s little or no change to the BB parking system, resulting in ‘resentment’ when someone who appears fine, almost skips away after taking up a space - as DD1’s friend’s deaf father used to - his deafness could have affected his balance, so he was entitled to the badge and free parking, but really didn’t need to occupy a wide disabled bay.

I think it needs a total overhaul now, but agree it’s a minefield.

*Not so much free parking now, I know, but it used to be.

Sorry this is so long!

If someone else uses your blue badge, they will take it away from you. That's why your photo is on the back.

I absolutely agree with you Annsixty
I got DH a Blue Badge many many months after he would have been eligible - certainly judging by some of the anecdotes I hear. It took hours to fill in the form and a friend who is a Carers’ groups organiser sat with me and kept reminding me my criteria should be based on a bad day- not at his best. However his inability to walk more than to the end of our drive using two sticks and with great difficulty had been evident well before.
He was scrupulous about how and when he used it, once not letting me park in a disabled space when popping into Waitrose -he was with me- because he said he had no intention of getting out of the car. So we ended up on the far side of the car park. When I came back from the shop, he was nowhere to be seen and I eventually saw him struggling back as he had needed to go to the loo! “Told you so” was on my lips!
Mum had a blue badge although my parents did not have a car and she took it with her to use if anybody was taking her out in theirs.
I have a friend who does not drive, is very unsteady on her feet. She can walk only the shortest distances and her other friend and I keep on at her to apply for one because again, if one of us takes her out, finding parking is hard and she is not steady enough to be dropped off while the driver goes to park.
However (deep breath) that need not stop you applying for one yourself annsixty. Your driving friends will thank you for it.

I have a Blue Badge and I can assure you it is not easy to get one.
I had to provide medical evidence that my conditions were progressive and my mobility compromised. Fortunately (or not, I was no longer capable of working) I also had been assessed by the LA's Occupational Health Officer (who was employed by the LA issuing the badge).
They couldn't dispute evidence from their own officer.

You should not use the badge to allow non-disabled people to take advantage of the benefits while you sit in the car. It's a criminal offence to misuse a badge

Some disabilities are not always evident, so I never judge.

My mum got one at 93. She’d long given up driving and could walk a little way. However she had dementia, so if I dropped her off somewhere and went to park she had no idea why she was there and got thoroughly confused. A blue badge made all the difference.

A friend used to get very cross about blue badge spaces being abused. She had secondary lung cancer and breathing was difficult. She didn’t have the energy to complain. I still look at the badges in car parks as I walk past as she requested, even though she died many years ago.

Sorry annsixty, a bit off topic.

crazyH

Yes annsixty - life can be unfair . The Blue Badge system is a real farce.. I don’t know how it works . I have seen young girls getting out of cars with blue badges. I’ve been told they are the relatives of disabled people, who provide transport for the disabled person.

They can only use the badge when the disabled person is in the car.

My late Mum had a Blue Badge as she had poor mobility due to several health conditions and she tired very easily.

She didn’t drive but I took her everywhere so used the badge on those occasions. The badge is for the person not the car and we took it to Ireland with us so my Aunt could use it when taking Mum out. Absolutely invaluable.

Yes annsixty - life can be unfair . The Blue Badge system is a real farce.. I don’t know how it works . I have seen young girls getting out of cars with blue badges. I’ve been told they are the relatives of disabled people, who provide transport for the disabled person.

Yes, Annsixty, when I take my friend out to coffee mornings etc she puts her blue badge on my dashboard so I can park in the disabled space. She is a wheelchair using amputee.

That is correct Doodle. My mother in law had one having mobility issues but didn’t drive herself. She used it when being driven around by father in law and us on occasions.

annsixty I believe you can still have a blue badge even if you don’t drive. If people are driving you they can use your badge to park in disabled spots if you use your badge. It might be worth your applying.