Blue Badge

rolopolo_2

TheBottomLine wrote: »

I would suggest seeing your GP and getting a referral back to the opthamologist if your sight has deteriorated. You don't have to be completely sightless to be registered blind and you seem to have very poor eyesight. Get checked again!

As for it being a hidden disability are you aware of symbol canes? These are white canes much shorter than the traditional guide cane and you simply hold it so that others are aware of your visual impairment. Just watch people step aside when you have one, it makes busy places much easier. You can buy one from RNIB online or your local social services will provide a free one if you can wait for a referral.

It is very important that you get back to an opthamologist and have another checkup, please let us know how you get on.

Thanks for that. Yes, I have finally grasped the nettle and got myself a symbol cane. I do find it difficult to use especially if I have my children with me, but I have started using one for crowded situations. Bit of a mixed blessing. Less people are rude to me, but I feel emotionally worse!

You are right. I should probably go back to Moorfields again to get rechecked at some point. I may even fit the criteria now to be registered blind.

idvi

rolopolo wrote: »

Surely the issue is that there are not enough Disabled Bays, not that 'the wrong sort' of disabled people are using them.

That is a bit like looking at a problem of there not being enough lifeboats on a boat full of children and blaming the older children for taking up spaces on the lifeboats rather than blaming the boat company for not providing enough.

Perhaps all the energy used up in being angry about other disabled users would be better used to lobby for more disabled spaces where a need is perceived.

yeah

in contrast, my local shaw trust has 1 disabled parking space, 1! if anyone here knows what the shaw trust do - then think how laughable that is.

the local supermarket has about 40 disabled spaces! :eek: they take up about a 6th of the supermarket car park. i can see that maybe there are too many it encourages non-disabled people to use them because there are always quite a few free

pwales_2

a few points to make..
i joined this forum only to put my veiws on the missuse of blue badges which is what i am doing....
these spaces are wider than normal and are a MUST if you are in a chair...
they are often used by people who really could just as easily park 10 mtrs down and park in the normal space...
call me rude call me all the names you like..but when i cant get out of my car and into my chair because there is a person parked in the space (who colud just as easily be in a normal space) who is being rude than? who is the inconsiderate one then?
i am no more bitter since my fall than before... im not saying that people are not effected by there disability whatever it is but what i am saying that certain disabilitys that do not directly effect the ability to walk should be using wide spaces...
and all the name calling will not change my mind!

idvi

ive just noticed this thread was listed in the weekly moneysavingexpert newsletter!!!!! :eek: (+disability and dosh is board of the week)

hello all! :j:rotfl:

rolopolo_2

idvi wrote: »

yeah

in contrast, my local shaw trust has 1 disabled parking space, 1! if anyone here knows what the shaw trust do - then think how laughable that is.

the local supermarket has about 40 disabled spaces! :eek: they take up about a 6th of the supermarket car park. i can see that maybe there are too many it encourages non-disabled people to use them because there are always quite a few free

Yes, I can see it is a difficult balance deciding on how many to provide in a car park. You need the public's good will to keep the spaces free and people do get annoyed to see loads of disabled spaces not being used. And yet there are places where there simply aren't enough. Perhaps we need to let the car park owners know when they get the balance wrong.

Indie_Kid

pwales wrote: »

call me rude call me all the names you like..but when i cant get out of my car and into my chair because there is a person parked in the space (who colud just as easily be in a normal space) who is being rude than? who is the inconsiderate one then?

Neither. You're just judgemental.

Many people need wider spaces - I know someone who has (amongst other things) severe autism. She needs someone to put her in the car and put the seat belt on her. How do you expect her carer to do that in a standard bay?

pwales_2

rolopolo wrote: »

Surely the issue is that there are not enough Disabled Bays, not that 'the wrong sort' of disabled people are using them.

That is a bit like looking at a problem of there not being enough lifeboats on a boat full of children and blaming the older children for taking up spaces on the lifeboats rather than blaming the boat company for not providing enough.

Perhaps all the energy used up in being angry about other disabled users would be better used to lobby for more disabled spaces where a need is perceived.

i had an idea in the past and i have asked my local council about different colour badges ie blue walking disabled close to shops then like red for wheelchair users only which are wide with dropped curbs but was told its a national/worldwide system not a local one so no t a chance i was also told walking disabled wouldnt get a blue badge anyway as they can walk

rolopolo_2

pwales wrote: »

a few points to make..
i joined this forum only to put my veiws on the missuse of blue badges which is what i am doing....
these spaces are wider than normal and are a MUST if you are in a chair...
they are often used by people who really could just as easily park 10 mtrs down and park in the normal space...
call me rude call me all the names you like..but when i cant get out of my car and into my chair because there is a person parked in the space (who colud just as easily be in a normal space) who is being rude than? who is the inconsiderate one then?
i am no more bitter since my fall than before... im not saying that people are not effected by there disability whatever it is but what i am saying that certain disabilitys that do not directly effect the ability to walk should be using wide spaces...
and all the name calling will not change my mind!

I doubt that there is anyone here on the Forum that is not sympathetic to your disability or who does not wish you well. I also think no one is necessarily expecting you to change your mind. It is simply a discussion of views.

No one is absolutely right or absolutely wrong. From what I can see we are all disabled people trying to find our way in able bodied world. I could get all argumentative about how lucky people are who can drive to places and how awful it is to not be able to drive but this is not a competition to see who has the worst disability or how badly it affects their lives. We are all simply trying to make the best of the hand we have been dealt.

Best wishes to everyone here in coping with their disability.

idvi

pwales wrote: »

i had an idea in the past and i have asked my local council about different colour badges ie blue walking disabled close to shops then like red for wheelchair users only which are wide with dropped curbs but was told its a national/worldwide system not a local one so no t a chance i was also told walking disabled wouldnt get a blue badge anyway as they can walk

thats not true

Who can have a Blue Badge?

You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if:

• you receive the higher rate of mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance. You would need to provide an official letter confirming an award of the allowance.

You may be eligible for a badge if:

• you have a permanent or substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking. If this is the case, your doctor will be asked a series of questions to help determine whether or not you are eligible. He/she will have to assess whether you can walk more than 100 metres without stopping, severe discomfort or need the help of another person to do so. If you cannot, then you will qualify for a blue badge. This may include people with mental health difficulties.

highlighted the bit in bold in particular because its relevant to the thread

Indie_Kid

idvi wrote: »

yeah

in contrast, my local shaw trust has 1 disabled parking space, 1! if anyone here knows what the shaw trust do - then think how laughable that is.

the local supermarket has about 40 disabled spaces! :eek: they take up about a 6th of the supermarket car park. i can see that maybe there are too many it encourages non-disabled people to use them because there are always quite a few free

There is meant to be a certain ratio of disabled bays : standard bays.