Blue badge misusers...

[Kayless]

Just been watching the Panorama program featuring these selfish lowlives. Why are people such idiots? They behave appallingly when caught and make any number of lame excuses. How shall we stop this? Personally I'd remove the badge for a year each time. The real badge holders would then police this for us, what do you think?

[Ratty2E]

I'm not sure having a little blue car would be much use to my husband he's registered blind. There'd be alot more people in need of a blue badge if he got behind the wheel. He doesn't look disabled but does have mobility problems due to the fact he can't see where he's going. Supermarket car parks can be a nightmare to negotiate and very dangerous as he can't necessarily see a car coming or if one is about to pull out in front of him. The nearer we can get to where we are going the better. Also sometimes I have to pick him up so I might park in a disabled space then go and get him. You can't tell just by looking at them if someone is legitimately using a blue badge. We have had people shout at us 'kindly' informing us that we are in a disabled space.

[Carakeel]

It is never easy rattyratgirl! It can be hard on the partners of the disabled too, that really does need to be pointed out. My ratter had a handfull when I had both knees replaced within three months of each other. I went through hell for about 18 months after the op, as they had left me waiting for my knees for 17 years! So it was wheelchairs and crutches and tring to find the shortest route all the time. I don't know what I would have done without my ratter and I am sure your hubby feels just the same. Without our amazing partners we would not be able to achieve half of what we do. You are very special!!

[redcrx]

perhaps the answer to this is to ask all disabled badge holders (and their drivers) to learn how to limp whenever they have to use a disabled parking space. This would ensure that they were not accused of using a space or a badge that they were not entitled to.

[paddywak]

I've been a blue badge holder for nearly 10 years now and I must admit when I see the system being abused it makes my blood boil. However I tend to be a bit tolerant as in my own case even though I normally need a stick to walk, on some days I can stroll along without a care in the world, but on other days I can't even get out of the car without assistance let alone walk

[joko]

i am the same as your friend rowan...good days and bad days...walking for even a small distance can putr me in serious pain and i am in pain for days - and each time i am permanently ruining my spine and hips...plus i have asthma which adds to it, so sometimes i feel i would need a badge, other days i am ok

i think one of the biggest problems here is the choice of logo - the wheelchair - i think it is this that angers ignorant people as they misunderstand its use... they think it is only for someone in a chair or with a stick or something ... because it makes no obvious connection to others ailments people dont realise that it covers a multitude
my friend had a brain haemorrhage and looks totally fine and is young and get some stick for it...however she gets very unstable, tired and dizzy and has to hang onto people as much as possible.

I haver considered applying for a badge, to use only on occasions when i am bad, or for work, to help me get by, as i struggle with carrying things...

[Ratty2E]

Thanks Carakee, l but I think you just do what a husband or wife would do for the one you love, you help them and they help you in whatever way you can. Hubby does actually have a white stick but he refuses to use it but sometimes I think it would help. Our local shopping center does police it especially at busy times and do fine people for misuse. I agree the wheelchair logo does encourage people to believe that everone using a disabled space should be in one but I can't think of another that would be better.

[murraymints]

whilst caring for my father in law who had advanced alzheimers and mobility probs the badge was a godsend to me... I was advised to block folk in who were in a bay illegally ...I always had the law on my side.... people just do not appreciate the problems that facilitate the need for easy parking..

[murraymints]

joko get one NOW..

[joko]

yes murraymints, i am thinking i will apply and let them decide if i am worthy... just hope on the assessment day i am in a bad way so they can see it...


does anyone know what the form involves? i would like the opportunity to explain what happens to me... because a lot of the time i look perfectly fine... i am sure these people know the medical situation, but i woul dlike to include proof and links to sites etc to explain further....

the main reason i havent pushed for it so far is because i dont want to become too sedentiary...i want to keep mobile as its important for the condition... so i would likely only use the badge occasionally, when im really bad or i have to carry heavy things...

[cathfromsaron]

blue badge abuse is rife in south wales, with able-bodied relatives bouncing out of cars outside post offices and banks, with nobody else in the car! new carparking charges has made things worse!

although i am aware you can't always tell who has a false leg, cancer or heart disease, sometimes its blatently not the recipient and nothing is done!

well done the council shown in that programme!

[Mamyalynne]

Joko - the following link is just an example of an application form , each Council will have a slight variation, do apply and tell them of how you are on your worst days.

http://www.bolton.gov...dge%20Application.pdf

[DTCwordfan]

???? ^ Not sure the relevance of the Righteous Brother Church?

Disabled doesnt have to be physical - it can cover Alzheimers in the folk (who still have their physical functionality intact to drive) as it aids them to remember where the car is in a carpark, such as a supermarket's.