Blue Badge 'police'

TheBottomLine_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I disagree - fogies and crones are the same sort of derogatory language for older people as !!!!!! and cripple are for the disabled.

You seriously believe that calling an old person a fogy is as bad as calling a blind person a !!!!!!?

:rotfl:

woody01

My daughter has a blue badge (she is 5), and we get all sorts of snotty looks when we park in a disabled space. A few people have even barked at us for doing so.

Why is it that, ESPECIALLY old people, think that it is exclusively old people that can be disabled an no-one else.

heretolearn_2

I can't imagine having to live with this sort of constant frustrations. I'm not disabled and I like to think i'm as thoughtful as possible (don't stare, give up seats etc) this thread has helped me think a bit more about the issues. In fact I'm probably a person who overcompensates because I'm trying too hard to do the right thing - is that just as annoying?

Anyway our local buses seem to be pretty good for disabled people so it must depend where you live. I had an accident last year that left me with a temporary disability for a few months, and I couldn't drive, and everyone was really nice on the bus and would let me sit down etc. There were also some regulars in wheelchairs who got up the little ramp ok and people (even the chavvy mums with big pushchairs) would free up the wheelchair space without being asked.

On the 'watch out for that lady' - I've said that sort of thing myself and not as a warning to stay away from a person because I'm worried about my kid. Lots of kids are in a dream world and constantly bash into people! You have to remind them before they knock someone (disabled or not) flying.

TheBottomLine_2

heretolearn wrote: »

In fact I'm probably a person who overcompensates because I'm trying too hard to do the right thing - is that just as annoying?

Not at all. I often get people wanting to help me when I don't really need it. I always let them help and then thank them, it makes them feel good and does no harm. They're only being kind after all.

heretolearn wrote: »

On the 'watch out for that lady' - I've said that sort of thing myself and not as a warning to stay away from a person because I'm worried about my kid. Lots of kids are in a dream world and constantly bash into people! You have to remind them before they knock someone (disabled or not) flying.

I get this a lot too and have no problem at all, kids are in their own little world and you can't blame them at all for bumping or running into someone. I also don't mind them staring, they're just curious. I always stop and talk if any of them ask questions but usually parents are so horrified and I just tell them it's no problem. It's good for them to understand.

lyniced

BLT wrote: »

Be serious, this whole board is full of drama queens. They have nothing to do when the soaps aren't on so they spend their time writing rants about pointless things.

Does anyone really give two hoots about one dopey old woman having an argument with another dopey old woman about who is the most disabled.

Ok, BLT, what do you think forums are for? You obviously took the time to read the post, so you actually must care!

Adaline

I'm 43 and disabled, and often get looks, comments and sometimes aggressive behaviour when I park in a disabled space, even when I take out my Blue Badge. Sadly, the majority of these comments tend to come from older people. I try to take the time to explain that disability doesn't come in one 'colour', so to speak, but this doens't always work. I actually find it very difficult when I see 80 year old women tearing past me on the street! I often use a stick, but sometimes I try not to, because I try to lead as free a life as possible despite the physical problems. This can make it even worse, as the stick is often the signal to people that you're genuinely disabled, so to not have it gets even more dirty looks! I find this on buses when I sit in a disabled seat, and feel like I should have the badge pinned onto my coat! But as I know how difficult it is to have to stand, when I see someone coming on the bus who seems to have more problems than me, and no-one is giving up their seat, I often will, and I'm afraid send dirty looks to the rest of the passengers! But I'm afraid I have more problems with women with buggies. On a train the other week, all the seats were reserved except for the disabled ones. I managed to find one, and was sat next to a woman with a buggy. I actually put my disabled rail card on the table in front of me (the train was packed with people standing in the aisles), but she happily stayed sitting there because of the buggy. Having a child doesn't make it more difficult for her to stand, and I get frustrated with this on buses as well, when the buggies can sometimes block a disabled seat, and I have to ask for it to be moved.
Sorry, long post and rant over!

sueturnersmith

As an older person myself, I must apologise for other people of my generation who do not seem to have any understanding of young people's disabilities.

The thing that does annoy me, however, is when a young person, usually male, without a blue badge or any obvious disability, screeches into the nearest disabled bay to a supermarket, swiftly gets out of his car, and speedily walks into the store.

BLT_2

lyniced wrote: »

Ok, BLT, what do you think forums are for? You obviously took the time to read the post, so you actually must care!

Yep but every so often I like to bring a little excitement into peoples lives by raising their blood pressure :-)

lyniced

BLT wrote: »

Yep but every so often I like to bring a little excitement into peoples lives by raising their blood pressure :-)

Mine's already raised!

Indie_Kid

BLT wrote: »

Yep but every so often I like to bring a little excitement into peoples lives by raising their blood pressure :-)

Read as "I have no life".