blue badge rant

pudsta

hi this is my first time posting on here im a 32 year old mum of four ,my youngest child is 2 and a half and has down syndrome and a serious heart defect ,i applied for a blue badge the first time as i was looking after two ppl who were classed as disabled my dad came to live with me in aug 06 diagnosed with cancer ,given 3 months to live bowel cancer with mets to liver and lungs he passed away in my home in oct 08, sienna was born nov 06 she was in heart failure at a few months old and i was told she may not survive dla refused me completely ,after alot of appeals i got high rate sienna is the size of a ten month baby now and has many medical problems , my dad was refused blue badge as he was still able to get out and about ,he was 7 stone weight and could hardly hold himself up ,sienna was refused as they told me its not common to give a blue badge to a person with downs sienna met there criteria she cannot walk , i really dont understand the system at all i know so many ppl who have one who arent as bad as what my dad was or sienna is ,alcoholics get every benefit going yet a child who is frequently admitted to hospital in heart failue ,pneumonia and in feb coma from a gastro bug is not allowed ,or my dad who had cancer all over his body whod worked all his life and couldnt get any help from anywhere ,i just dont understand how this country works, from a very upset mum who only wants a blue badge to be able to get a space when i need to in an emergency instead of a 60 pound fine like i did .

kazzah

Each council can set it's own criteria for the issuing of Blue badges, HOWEVER most of them are now using "standard" rules and regulations
one of which is that in order for the automatic issue of a blue badge the applicant should be in receipt of Higher Rate mobility componant of DLA

Unfortunately your daughter is too young to claim this at the moment as the minimum age is 3 years
HOWEVER some local councils DO have the ability to to use discretionary powers to issue a blue badge where the applicant has clear needs but doesn't meet the criteria - eg someone who chooses not to claim DLA

if you write to the local authority and ask for a meeting they may be able to help you - we did this with our autistic son who gets high rate care DLA but low rate mobility - he ADORES cars- but sadly he will just run in front of them as he has no idea of danger! - we met with the issuing officer and she immediately upon meeting our son said she was happy to issue us with a badge,
BUT - a word of warning- you may need to argue your point as to why you need a blue badge- as they may argue your daughter is so small she would probably be in a pushchair anyway and would not be required to walk long distances

I think an appeal might be worth a try,
good luck

char8888

Hi I have applied for a blue badge for my 2 year old who has down syndrome. I hope I do get one. I spoke to my doctor yesterday and he said he fully supports my application form. I also spoke to my sons pys and she said she would support it if she is contacted. My son is not walking at all. I know you cannot claim the dla mobility until they are three but surely you should be able to get a blue badge as it does say from the age of two. They must know two year olds do not get the dla mobility. I would re apply and get supporting documentation from everyone you need to or ask for a meeting with the manager in order for him to review.

If I do not get one. I am fighting all the way. As it does say one of the cirteria is if the child is 2 and above and does not walk at all. (as long as you get support for this I dont see why you should have a problem)
There

easy

char8888 wrote: »

Hi I have applied for a blue badge for my 2 year old who has down syndrome. I hope I do get one. I spoke to my doctor yesterday and he said he fully supports my application form. I also spoke to my sons pys and she said she would support it if she is contacted. My son is not walking at all. I know you cannot claim the dla mobility until they are three but surely you should be able to get a blue badge as it does say from the age of two. They must know two year olds do not get the dla mobility. I would re apply and get supporting documentation from everyone you need to or ask for a meeting with the manager in order for him to review.

If I do not get one. I am fighting all the way. As it does say one of the cirteria is if the child is 2 and above and does not walk at all. (as long as you get support for this I dont see why you should have a problem)
There

I don't see any reason for your application to be refused. Yes, Blue badge applications are automatic for people who get higher rate DLA for mobility, but are also allowed for other cases which carry supporting documentation from medical professionals, so don't worry.

Don't forget to apply for DLA for your son as soon as he hits 3.

Biggles

pudsta wrote: »

i really dont understand the system at all i know so many ppl who have one who arent as bad as what my dad was or sienna is ,alcoholics get every benefit going

Sorry for the OT diversion, but I was just suddenly struck by the image of an alcoholic qualifying for a Blue Badge so he can park nice and near the pub!

pudsta

hi thanks for the reply ,i did have supporting evidence my dr had wrote i needed one desperately ,but the head of special needs in my area told them that no one she looks over with downs has a blue badge so they obviously took her advise ,ive spoke to many ppl on baby centre special needs board and they all have blue badge for downs ,i do qualify even thou i dont get dla mobility as the rules changed 6 months ago to if your childs not walking at 2 they would qualify ,so i was in my rights i did appeal twice with drs backing and was refused they said they wont look at it again till i get dla ,they did say if sienna had very bad behaviour problems example wrecking public transport i would qualify ,she is not like that ,i just think years ago blue badge was given to ppl who couldnt walk or walked very little now its a behaviour thing and ppl who arent mobile are refused ,i know what im talking about its the new trend here at school they all have mobility cars as they claim there kids are to bad for public transport ,ppl who are genuine like my daughter and my dad are left out .

kazzah

have you thought of contacting your local newspaper and radio station?
pester power has a LOT of influence these days and if you have given them supporting evidence it is not appropriate for them to keep saying they don't issue children with Downs a blue badge at this age
especially if their own criteria state that a child aged 2 not walking would qualifiy
phone your local paper NOW - they love these types of stories
good luck

char8888

Hi If I were you I would set up a meeting to see the head of special needs to discuss your childs mobility. It seems she is classing all down syndrome children to be the same which is not the case. Down syndrome children develope at different rates. I also know two other children with down syndrome and one was walking at 18 months and one at two. My child is 2 and 1 month and is not walking at all. I would also get onto the Down Syndrome Association. They may be able to help you. I am sure they would not be happy to hear how you have been treated. DO NOT BACK DOWN. Fight them all the way for what you should have. The Down Syndrome Association website has now got a section on how to fill in the dla at different ages. I found this very helpfull. It explains in detail how to descripe your childs needs in great detail. All the best let us know how you get on.

rev229

I have just looked at the blue badge website and parents with children under 2 can have a blue badge if they have either extra medical equipment or if they should require medical treatment either in the car or taken to hospital. Your daughter is over 2 but will not recieve mobility allowence until 3. I would fill in the Blue badge form and sent a copy of the Blue badge rules to your council along with a letter from Gp/Paed about you daughters medical needs. I would also contact your local MP most have surgeries and will help you if the council won't accept it. After all you won't be the only \Mum in your area with a special needs kid needing a blue badge. Perhaps you should invite them to come out with you and your daughter to see how difficult you life is with a special needs child.
When you do eventually get a badge for your child you will spend the whole time being starred at by Joe public and other blue badge users as they will think you shouldn't have one because you are too young. My daughter 10 has epilepsy, autism and severe learning difficulties and we are always starred ant tutted at even thought she is entitled to her badge.

catnia

I've had a blue badge for my son since he was approx 6 months old as he is on 24 hr oxygen - so we qualified under 'bulky medical equipment' as we always have an oxygen tank attached to him. If he is walking an adult carries it or if he is in his buggy it goes in that.
I think there you can argue that u need to be near the car in case of a medical emergency - I know when I applied I wrote a letter separately outlining my son's need for the oxygen and the fact that we needed to be near the car for medical emergencies. Hope this helps.

savemoney

We got a blue badge for my daughter 3 years ago she was around 15 at the time, she didnt get DLA then and she did get turn down. We appealed and won although I didnt give any more supporting evidence

We have to renweal soon but now she gets the full mobility rate of DLA. It costs use £2 admin fee and 2 passport photos