neighbours rant

harleq1962

a neighbour said to me yesterday how many people (relatives abusing the motability) would be happy to drive around in a car that was meant to be used by a disabled person if they had to have a special number plate fitted instead of a normal plate and disabled tax disc.

zaksmum

I can remember when the vehicle provided was an "Invalid carriage" - a little 3 wheeler thing a bit like a Reliant Robin.

You can bet there weren't many relatives queuing up to take those from the disabled person!

I'm surprised how much that goes on. In my road alone there are 2 fit healthy young men driving brand new cars quite openly saying, "Oh, it's my mum's, she gets mobility," and even in my own family I've become aware that it's happening.

harleq1962

zaksmum wrote: »

I can remember when the vehicle provided was an "Invalid carriage" - a little 3 wheeler thing a bit like a Reliant Robin.

You can bet there weren't many relatives queuing up to take those from the disabled person!

I'm surprised how much that goes on. In my road alone there are 2 fit healthy young men driving brand new cars quite openly saying, "Oh, it's my mum's, she gets mobility," and even in my own family I've become aware that it's happening.

they used to have a service place in liverpool in the 70s for those little blue cars. remember passing it on my way to school, wouldnt suggest going back to those but a purpose built car that was built in the UK might be an idea. put some money into British industry ? .

ontrack

Hey that's a good idea lets put a badge on disabled people, oh, I think it's been done before by a mr Hitler if I remember correctly

mazza111

harleq1962 wrote: »

they used to have a service place in liverpool in the 70s for those little blue cars. remember passing it on my way to school, wouldnt suggest going back to those but a purpose built car that was built in the UK might be an idea. put some money into British industry ? .

It's not really practical though is it. People with different disabilities have different needs. Although both me and my sister are similar, we went shopping for a new car (not mobility) for her. We both sat in the same cars, from both sides and we both found different cars easier to get in and out of. And that's us with similar problems. Eventually she chose the Citroen C2, which I found impossible to get out of the driver's side, but can get in/out the passenger's side fine. She finds it difficult to get in an out my skoda, although it's getting harder for me too, i can still do it.

harleq1962

mazza111 wrote: »

It's not really practical though is it. People with different disabilities have different needs. Although both me and my sister are similar, we went shopping for a new car (not mobility) for her. We both sat in the same cars, from both sides and we both found different cars easier to get in and out of. And that's us with similar problems. Eventually she chose the Citroen C2, which I found impossible to get out of the driver's side, but can get in/out the passenger's side fine. She finds it difficult to get in an out my skoda, although it's getting harder for me too, i can still do it.

i was thinking more of a car for people who cant drive themselves and could be adapted, i do see your point

mazza111

harleq1962 wrote: »

i was thinking more of a car for people who cant drive themselves and could be adapted, i do see your point

That's another problem too though. A lot of people want a car that can carry equipment. I can just about fit the dd's wheelchair in my wee fabia (bought pre wheelchair.) Takes a bit of jiggling, and the parcel shelf is sitting in my livingroom So you have drivers with disabilities driving other people with disabilities. My next car will definitely need to have a wee bit of a bigger boot. Dreading this one dying, trying to get one to accommodate both our problems Again it won't be a mobility car as I don't claim DLA And don't count myself as disabled, just a bit wonky.

SuzieSue

zaksmum wrote: »

I'm surprised how much that goes on. In my road alone there are 2 fit healthy young men driving brand new cars quite openly saying, "Oh, it's my mum's, she gets mobility," and even in my own family I've become aware that it's happening.

Well let's hope that they don't (or do) have an accident as they won't be insured if the purpose of the journey wasn't directly for the benefit of the disabled person.

celinepatricia

I think thats a bad idea. Why would any body want everybody to know their private business, My husband has got a mobility car, his disability is not obvious to people, but you can guarantee if there was some sort of plate or something put on the car to let all and sundry know that it was a disability car our very nosey neighbours would be asking how come he was entitled to one and trying to find out his private health problems,

harleq1962

celinepatricia wrote: »

I think thats a bad idea. Why would any body want everybody to know their private business, My husband has got a mobility car, his disability is not obvious to people, but you can guarantee if there was some sort of plate or something put on the car to let all and sundry know that it was a disability car our very nosey neighbours would be asking how come he was entitled to one and trying to find out his private health problems,

i dont think it is, but when youve got people driving around in new cars that are meant to be used by someone else, it gets peoples backs up.my neighbour works full time and can only afford to run an 02 plate car,

melbury

I thought the DWP were really going to clampdown on the whole Motobility scheme by reassessing everyone on DLA HRM.

There are some people who are taking the micky with this - we have a couple down the road who live in a small council bungalow and have a brand new Merc on Motobility:)