Nice people thread part 8 - worth the wait

lemonjelly

Wow, quite a lot of debate.

Regarding the blue badge, the actual rules haven't been tightened. However what did come to light across the past 5 years, is that the largest level of fraud occurring in the UK, was blue badge fraud. The reasons? Well, firstly, it means people don't have to pay parking fees, 2nd, it opens doors to other benefits, and 3rd, people can park almost anywhere. As a result, LA's have started scrutinising applications a lot more.
Thing is, they were brought in with good intentions, & then sadly got abused by so many. The rules are not as specific as they are for other disability benefits, hence there is more scope for grey areas.

My tip would be - your condition fluctuates, as do most conditions. Therefore your needs will vary. For example, when you're very very poorly, as an ememrgency you may need an urgent prescription. Therefore DH could use the blue badge to go fetch this (with you staying at home - you don't have to be present, merely the journey has to be for you). When not very very poorly, you will try to get out & about, but there are barriers you face. It is also worth mentioning things you would do that you currently cannot do (ie show the benefits getting the blue badge would bring).
In addition, as DH is frequently away or even abroad, I would mention this, as you have to maintain a level of independence on weekdays.

Speaking as someone who briefly worked in a team which assessed blue badge applications, it is a known fact that applicants generally focus on the "worst day" scenario. Such applications tend to be selected for further investigation, as health professionals know conditions fluctuate, & are not always the same.

lemonjelly

BTW I'm now happy, as I've found out I've been given a place on the guest list for the James gig in Brum tomorrow.

Favourite live band currently. Seen them live over 10 times already. Going to see them friday in Manchester. The brum veue is awful, so I always buy a ticket for elsewhere on the tour if it is a band I really want to see. However delighted to be on the list, as they play a different set every night!

mystic_trev

The latest in Aleppo, a lovely City I was in four years ago. I loved Syria, and was there, traveling independently in December 2008.

Before.My picture, so I hope it works.



....now :mad:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22283746

Such lovely people too. They deserve better.

tomterm8

lemonjelly wrote: »

Proper can of worms if memory serves me correctly!;)

I have an eInk based kindle, it is good but the weak point is it is very hard to clean the screen without damaging it. Also, no library books.

If you are buying an eReader to read library books you need to talk to the library first. Odds are, you will need a tablet based reader that can run adobe software but it varies.

Most tablet based readers have a kindle app; for e.g. I read my kindle books on my vox.

GDB2222

lemonjelly wrote: »

Speaking as someone who briefly worked in a team which assessed blue badge applications, it is a known fact that applicants generally focus on the "worst day" scenario. Such applications tend to be selected for further investigation, as health professionals know conditions fluctuate, & are not always the same.

When it comes to deciding whether to allow a badge, though, what level of the worst day scenario do you base it on? Personally, I don't see what's wrong with using worst day if that's what happens say once a month, rather than once a lifetime.

lostinrates

lemonjelly wrote: »

Wow, quite a lot of debate.

Regarding the blue badge, the actual rules haven't been tightened. However what did come to light across the past 5 years, is that the largest level of fraud occurring in the UK, was blue badge fraud. The reasons? Well, firstly, it means people don't have to pay parking fees, 2nd, it opens doors to other benefits, and 3rd, people can park almost anywhere. As a result, LA's have started scrutinising applications a lot more.
Thing is, they were brought in with good intentions, & then sadly got abused by so many. The rules are not as specific as they are for other disability benefits, hence there is more scope for grey areas.

My tip would be - your condition fluctuates, as do most conditions. Therefore your needs will vary. For example, when you're very very poorly, as an ememrgency you may need an urgent prescription. Therefore DH could use the blue badge to go fetch this (with you staying at home - you don't have to be present, merely the journey has to be for you). When not very very poorly, you will try to get out & about, but there are barriers you face. It is also worth mentioning things you would do that you currently cannot do (ie show the benefits getting the blue badge would bring).
In addition, as DH is frequently away or even abroad, I would mention this, as you have to maintain a level of independence on weekdays.

Speaking as someone who briefly worked in a team which assessed blue badge applications, it is a known fact that applicants generally focus on the "worst day" scenario. Such applications tend to be selected for further investigation, as health professionals know conditions fluctuate, & are not always the same.

I honestly cannot see why an able bodied person should use a blue badge to get something for a blue badge holder sitting in a car or waiting at home.



ATM I mainly cope by pacing. E.g. Tuesdays tend to be good days for me because they are ok for the business and I a, 'mid week' so that's who I planned to shop on Tuesday. Knowing that I was going shopping Tuesday I made sure nothing could be booked in on Wednesday I case I was too beat (and I was pretty beat) but tomorrow I have physio, (I am so serious about health matters I have been going to physio fortnightly) which will be ok, I will feel great but tired afterwards. Friday is hairdresser. I am slightly concerned to have two fixed dates thurs and fri with two fixed dates for something next week. I expect to be good for nothing the end of next week, but then there is a three day weekend so I will have dh to help.

I just try and plan stuff for least chance of failure, if that makes sense. Yes it means I don't do lots I want to, but everyone faces that...either because they have child are issues, financial constraints or whatever.

tomterm8

My personal opinion is you should simply put the truth: how bad you are typically, how bad you are when you are at your worst, and then let the chips fall where they will. You've got to assume the people who make the decision will do the best job they can given a truthful form.

lostinrates

tomterm8 wrote: »

My personal opinion is you should simply put the truth: how bad you are typically, how bad you are when you are at your worst, and then let the chips fall where they will. You've got to assume the people who make the decision will do the best job they can given a truthful form.

There is no way I would lie about to term, I can assure you.


Lemon jelly, if I were turned down now, would it stand against me /delay things if I apply later? Like 'we think this person is a blue badge fraudster?

PasturesNew

lostinrates wrote: »

I honestly cannot see why an able bodied person should use a blue badge to get something for a blue badge holder sitting in a car or waiting at home.

One set of circumstances might be if the blue badge holder has dementia and can't walk more than 10 yards.... it means the driver can leap out of the car and run in to do things for them, leaving them in the car, minimising the time they are left home alone or in the car alone -and- if you've got them in the car, you've given them a "trip out" (which sometimes is the best they're going to get).



Been there, done that ... got the badge.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

One set of circumstances might be if the blue badge holder has dementia and can't walk more than 10 yards.... it means the driver can leap out of the car and run in to do things for them, leaving them in the car, minimising the time they are left home alone or in the car alone -and- if you've got them in the car, you've given them a "trip out" (which sometimes is the best they're going to get).



Been there, done that ... got the badge.

I see that is a solution in that circumstance. . You are right.

In mine thankfully, its not applicable.