New to this part of Mse.

lostinrates

I'm hoping I can get some help. Its more 'disability' than 'dosh'.

I have been ill for a long time, (ten years this year) and my health goes up and down a lot. This summer has been a funny one as I have been better in a lot of ways and worse in some other ones.

Something that has come up both at home and finally this week my GP suggested now is finally time to apply for a blue badge.

I'm apprehensive about this, as while I know I don't need to use it on days I don't feel I can do with out it, it feels a big leap. I have managed for a long time simply by not going out when not able to. This means I have become somewhat reclusive over the years. . But as the need to go to more and more medical appointments again is arising I cannot simply not go out until the weekend.

I do have DH to drive me at weekends and sometimes even the blue badge won't help as I'm simply not able to get out and about, other times I just don't feel I need any help and feel its 'wrong' to make this step.

Has anyone else with longterm or progressive conditions that have remission periods struggle with this timing? I have fought very hard to remain as independent as possible and while on the one hand the blue badge might help regain some independence I am feel somehow 'wrong' about it, because while sometimes ATM I simply cannot get out, other times I can, without the badge.

I'm really looking for the experience of any one else who has felt like this and how they have moved forward.

Tigsteroonie

No answer but I just wanted to say "Hi" :hello: and welcome to the D&D forum LiR

lostinrates

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

No answer but I just wanted to say "Hi" :hello: and welcome to the D&D forum LiR

Thank you!

Its an odd one I guess! I'm doing it in reverse as I started out less able ten years ago and have mainly got progressively more able until last summer. All that time Its just been DH and I, a few doctors and specialists...but bar the odd priority boarding on planes and the little motorised airport chugs chugs car thing I've tried to be ok. Now I cannot even fly any more, its banned, flying.:( even if I felt well enough.:(

pink_princess

You have no reason to feel "wrong" lostinrates, the bluebadge scheme is for people like yourself. You should not be becoming more isolated, please use this and everything else available to you to maintain your quality of life. That is why this and many other schemes were created.

elsien

Use it when you need to and leave it behind when you don't. You're not depriving anyone else by having one, just yourself if you let your need to keep your independent mindset get in the way of doing the things that you need to do. If that makes sense.
It's a debate I had regularly with my grandmother who was adamant she wasn't disabled and therefore not entitled to the badge when she couldn't walk up a hill to save her life. Think of it as one of the aids that can make life easier like your motorised chug chug, as and when required, rather than a permanent fixture.

lostinrates

pink_princess wrote: »

You have no reason to feel "wrong" lostinrates, the bluebadge scheme is for people like yourself. You should not be becoming more isolated, please use this and everything else available to you to maintain your quality of life. That is why this and many other schemes were created.

I guess the thing I am wondering is what other people do on good days...just not use it? How does it impact on state of mind? Etc etc:)


I'm not really aware of anything else. My doctor told me I should think about the fact that by not applying for anything I might be blocking access for care we might need for me later but I ran entitled to and I am not 'entitled to' anything. . My husband is a high earner, and we have never sought anything, even when that was not the case, because we were fortunate enough to be able to support ourselves. We have no gripe with that. I don't really want anything that I don't absolutely need,

And that's the thing, I keep wondering if I absolutely need the blue badge. I mean, on. A bad day, its not actually going to help that much I won't be able to go out after doing what i have to do at home, thats hard enough. on a good day, it won't be needed, so its only useful on the I between days.....I don't count how many those are, because, well, I don't want to! I try and concentrate on what I can do IYSWIM.

lostinrates

elsien wrote: »

Use it when you need to and leave it behind when you don't. You're not depriving anyone else by having one, just yourself if you let your need to keep your independent mindset get in the way of doing the things that you need to do. If that makes sense.
It's a debate I had regularly with my grandmother who was adamant she wasn't disabled and therefore not entitled to the badge when she couldn't walk up a hill to save her life. Think of it as one of the aids that can make life easier like your motorised chug chug, as and when required, rather than a permanent fixture.

Thanks, this is what I'll do certainly if I get one.


But this raises other questions. On the application form, it asks things like can you walk (sorry I cannot remember exactly) um...fifty or a hundred metres without extreme pain or help or something.....well the truth is some days I can do it with out help or my stick. I can. Yes it hurts, but it hurts when I don't move too, moving just hurts differently. I cannot manage inclines much at all most days. . But the form doesn't leave room for much explanation of well, I'd be ok if I lived in the east of England but in our hilly region I struggle if I am in one of the hill towns, but ok in the flat one......

nannytone_2

i am blind but have no physical issues at all and obviously i dont drive ( i can almost hear the gasp of relief!)
i have a blue badge and in all hinesty, dont seel i 'need' ine.
i only use it when the car parks are extremely busy or when i go to the dentist.
my sentist is on a very busy road and the only available parking is 3 disabled bays.
although if one of the bays is taken, we always park down a side road and have 'fun' crossing as i wouldnt want to take the only remaining bay in case someone who struggles to walk needs it

elsien

Do you get DLA mobility (which isn't means tested.) Because if you do and you're on the higher rate, that entitles you to the blue badge anyway.
I shouldn't overthink the information on the application form. If your GP has suggested you would benefit, he will confirm that when they write to him to check your eligibility anyway. If it were me, I'd probably fill it in for the days I need it, on your hill town days for example.

lostinrates

elsien wrote: »

Do you get DLA mobility (which isn't means tested.) Because if you do and you're on the higher rate, that entitles you to the blue badge anyway.

No. I have never applied for anything. Our focus has all been on health and self provision.

Yea...the GP said they no longer wrote to them for clarification and he was sort of coaching me what to right, which made it feel 'wrong'. He is certainly saying apply, but was saying there was no link between doctor and council now, and it frustrated him because of the discretionary aspect, because it would be easy for him to say

'it doesn't matter that this daft bird thinks she can walk fine on a good day, I think she needs one so I just convince her to apply , they write to me and I say yes.....and now it doesn't work like that'.....

..but have I misunderstood that after all?

lostinrates

nannytone wrote: »

i am blind but have no physical issues at all and obviously i dont drive ( i can almost hear the gasp of relief!)
i have a blue badge and in all hinesty, dont seel i 'need' ine.
i only use it when the car parks are extremely busy or when i go to the dentist.
my sentist is on a very busy road and the only available parking is 3 disabled bays.
although if one of the bays is taken, we always park down a side road and have 'fun' crossing as i wouldnt want to take the only remaining bay in case someone who struggles to walk needs it

Teehee.....clarifying driving is funny!

I started to have sight problems last year, but I don't have to give up my licence yet. When/if I do things will get very much more difficult. We live rurally and we'll have to find a whole new host of ways to manage. I've had a car since a few weeks after my seventeenth birthday and apart from when I have been too I'll to drive (for about a year) or days here and there I have always had a car.


Yes, no taking the last parking space, thanks, that makes sense.