what is 'disabled'?

D&DD

I think it's even worse when you have a child with a blue badge,I have also been verbally abused (mostly,again by pensioners..) for parking in a disabled space.My son who has the badge has a severe curvature of the spine so his whole body is twisted,he wears a body brace (rigid plastic armpits to groin) 23 hours a day and a leg brace (ankle to toe)..he is in constant pain BUT never complains and does manage on a good day to walk reasonably well..sort of..
He never goes anywhere as he's usually too tired but we have to have shoes fitted specially etc so when he is with us we use the badge.It has caused more stress having a badge than having to support him either side on a longer walk!! It shouldn't be this way..

calleyw

I get a lot of stares when I get out my car when displaying a blue badge. Well yes I am able bodied but my passenger my husband who is in his mid forties is not and it is his badge. And I the taxi.

Let alone the comments the other week I got when me and my husband where in the garden lopping trees. I was lopping my husband was stood telling me which branch to go for. These two older ladies (OAPS) went past and commented that she had a husband like that, he would watch her do all the work.
I never said a word but I was like :mad: he has no movment in fingers and can't grasp stuff because of his stroke. How hell does he use tree loppers when you need two hands.

I wish people would think before they say anything as they have no idea of what is going on. I don't care if people think it just don't say it.

Yours


Calley

missstropy

I too get shouted out for parking in disabled bays with my blue badge when im with my daughter. Shes 16 and the size of a 7/8 yr old. she has severe behavioural and learning difficulties and looks like theres nothing wrong with her. However I have a new problem at the moment with her. She has fallen in love with a boy on her home school transport. They were hugging and kissing last night before she got off the bus. Although the escort and myself tried to stop them she wouldnt get off with out saying goodbye. Last year they were nearly killing each other.What do you do when youve got two teenagers with severe learning difficulties and behavioural problems acting like two noormal teenagers!!! Help.

Horace

It's even worse if you are a disabled biker - my mate has a false leg but he can still ride an adapted motorbike. He got collared by a parking attendant one day for parking his bike in a disabled space, so he showed his blue badge but the attendant still didn't believe him until he took off his own leg and proved that he was disabled.

I have a disability that comes under the DDA 1995, I don't claim any benefits for it as I think that there are folks out there like my mate who need them more than I. I even refuse to get a blue badge for my car - it might seem a bit cockeyed to you but if I can manage without then I'll do so. I only acknowledged my disability when I was in work as various adaptions were made for me to help me carry out my job.

I am certainly not aggrieved if someone has benefits and I don't, life is too short to worry about the world and his wife when I have problems of my own.

ormus

as been said, there is no registered disabled anymore.
disability means different things if youre talking about benefits, a parking badge, or employment law.
i noticed last week that an employment application form mentions " are you registered disabled" these forms are either yrs old, or the company is just not up to speed yet.

Garnet_Gem

The problem seems to be that some people have taken advantage of the sytem, claing BBs and DLA when they're not really disabled. This means that the genuinely disabled have to put up with being seen as having the same mind-set as them. There's been so many BBs handed out that it must be difficult for some disabled people to get a space. People who use their OH/parent etcs BB when they shouldn't is another issue that adds to the debate. I'm just thankful that I'm able to walk a distance and don't need a badge.

calleyw

To me being disabled means you can't enjoy the same quality of life of someone else of the same age who is well.

It is not like not being able to play a saxophone or a guitar.

My husband can't do simple things like put a duvet cover on or put on pillow cases. Now I have problems with duvet covers but that is because I am short. My husband has no movement in left hand is unable to catch hold of things.

He has bad concentration so can't be left alone with the gas oven/grill/hob so we had to buy a microwave.

He can't bathe or have a shower with out someone in the house. For fear of slipping or falling.

He can't put washing on the line because he can't hold it on the line while putting the peg and can't use his bad arm because he can't reach that high.

Simple things like missing a bus might cause us to be a little angry or annoyed. But for my husband he becomes very distressed to the point of tears and becomes disorientated. Which then means he is not safe out on his own. And becomes a danger to himself and others.

Because of the above I dislike him going out without someone with him or without me knowing. I don't feel he his safe and feel that he target for not very nice people.

He also has to have fortnightly blood test and takes 5 different tablets a day. Which I have to remind him as well as drinking enough water to flush his system out.

I am not disabled but my quality of life has become effected because of the stress and the worry of when he goes out on his own and running a household on my own. And taking him to numerous appointments every month. I am stuck in a rubbish job because of this because I need to being to be take time off as and when. As most employers don't understand the needs of being a carer for an adult.

Let alone the plans we had for future have all gone on hold for unspecified time if not for ever.

But hey such is life.


Yours


Calley