Is it legal/ fair ?

pumpkin89

hdh74 wrote: »

Many disabled people need to visit hospital far far more often than the average person, and unlike a more able-bodied person are unable to avail themselves of off-site parking which is often free. And are probably unable to use public transport, most able-bodied people do have the choice. I know disabled people who can struggle to make hospital appointments because they cannot afford to go. This seems a way more important issue to me than getting a few quid of at the cinema, welcomed by many as that may be.

If you really think most people have the choice of parking elsewhere or using public transport then you don't have a realistic understanding. I'm not saying that it's acceptable for disabled people to struggle to afford hospital visits. Personally I'd rather all hospital parking was free. In the current system, however, we have DLA, which is intended to cover this sort of additional expense. If DLA is not high enough, that's a different argument. I just really object to this idea that people should be given money by the state, and then also given free access to things that everyone else has to pay for.

Ktkoozal wrote: »

My main bugbear is when people park in disabled bays without blue badges, very annoying. Those who complain that disabled people always get the best and free parking, please, come and swap a day in my life and experience all of the pain and difficulties I live with every second of every day and then think about how 'unfair' disabled parking is.

Indeed, people should respect disabled bays where possible. I have sympathy for your condition but this reads as if you expect to get compensation for being disabled, which is ridiculous. You should get the support you need to live as full a life as possible, but it is nobody's fault that you have pain and difficulties (and, it should be remembered, many people not classed as disabled also have to deal with these).

hdh74

"I just really object to this idea that people should be given money by the state, and then also given free access to things that everyone else has to pay for."

I can understand your feelings, I can remember being well and having no concept of what people on disabled benefits actually spent their money on.
But you cannot begin to imagine the expenses a disabled person has that you wouldn't think of, and the benefits they have are a lot less than their wages would be if they were working. Believe me you are way way better off financially (not to mention in terms of quality of life) if you are able to work and take care of things properly. I haven't always been disabled, I have lived both lives, and I'd swap with my able-bodied self and give up my lovely disabled parking spot and be so much better off in every way, including financially, in a heart-beat. It would be better than winning the lottery.

I don't think Granny was for a minute asking to be 'compensated' but stating a small part of the reality of being disabled, and why the concessions we ask for are not luxuries but actually essentials for us to do any small part of the things most people take for granted.

And just to keep you informed DLA has been replaced by PIP in most cases, and DLA is being phased out.

But I also think hospital parking should be free for everybody.

pumpkin89

Thank you hdh74 for a helpful and thoughtful response. It is very difficult to talk about disabled people as a group, since their conditions and needs vary widely. Unfortunately the disabled person I know best is quite capable of working, but likes to milk the system as much as possible. This has undoubtedly skewed my view, so I will try to remember those like yourself who do need the help, and be more grateful that I don't!

hdh74

pumpkin89 wrote: »

Thank you hdh74 for a helpful and thoughtful response. It is very difficult to talk about disabled people as a group, since their conditions and needs vary widely. Unfortunately the disabled person I know best is quite capable of working, but likes to milk the system as much as possible. This has undoubtedly skewed my view, so I will try to remember those like yourself who do need the help, and be more grateful that I don't!

There will be people who, sadly, will abuse every system. There are people on unemployment benefits who have a job on the side. There are people that work that steal from their emplyers. etc etc.
But I know far more decent people who are genuinely suffering and need help they cannot get.
And yes, there are lots of decent, able-bodied people who suffer in many ways that I cannot imagine.
And I am grateful that you took the time to read and respond with an open caring heart. Thank you.

grannybiker

Ah yes, the old chestnut "X down the road is "Disabled" yet gets a mobility car," argument, often supported by the media who like to demonise vulnerable groups. Sadly this tiny minority are often used as yardstick to judge the whole group. I know them too, even have some family members who are almost gleeful in their eligibility. They really are the minority. Many people in genuine need are put off from claiming as they don't want to be viewed in the same light. What if someone sees them pegging out the washing on a good day / when they're dosed up with meds?
A friend who works with benefits did some research, (Under the 'Freedom of information; act.) They discovered that the total amount of fraudulently claimed benefit is a miniscule proportion of that which remains unclaimed by those genuinely in need? That, to me, is terribly sad, that so many people struggle unnecessarily when there is help they could be having.

mjm3346

grannybiker wrote: »

A
A friend who works with benefits did some research, (Under the 'Freedom of information; act.) They discovered that the total amount of fraudulently claimed benefit is a miniscule proportion of that which remains unclaimed by those genuinely in need? That, to me, is terribly sad, that so many people struggle unnecessarily when there is help they could be having.

Those numbers would not include the "bloke down the road" unless action had been taken against him, all the "freedom etc" figures show is the number caught and action taken which potentially is anything from most to almost none of those who are conning the system.

(Cannot say I personally know anyone in the "bloke down the road" group while I do know some genuine claimants and some of those needed a push/hand to claim what was theirs)

hdh74

The other thing to remember about 'the bloke down the road' is that a lot of disabilities are hidden. I have mulitple ones but one you wouldn't be able to see is my sight difficulties, because I wear spectacles, people wouldn't know I am blind in one eye and have very limited vision in the other, and some people get very confused as to why someone would have specs and a white stick. A friend of mine has crippling Crohn's and has to wear nappies along with a host of other problems, and guess what, she doesn't advertise it. And the biggest, hidden, disabilities are often severe mental health problems and neuro-divergent conditions. Again, not everyone would shout about these. Indeed I knew someone who had such severe Schizophrenia she would gleefully tell the assessment board she was capable of doing literally everything, and had nothing wrong with her at all.

Freelikeabird

hdh74 wrote: »

The other thing to remember about 'the bloke down the road' is that a lot of disabilities are hidden...

That's what gets me about people who see someone leaving a car with a Blue Badge in a disabled spot and assume because they aren't in a wheelchair that they must be playing the system or using someone else's badge. Playing the system obviously does happen to some extent, and it's great that authorities do check up occasionally, but I always think how horrible it must be for someone with an invisible illness to feel they have to justify themselves to random strangers on the street.

hdh74

There was a horrible meme going around last year that showed a lady stand up out of her wheelchair to reach a bottle of wine, that someone had titled, 'miracle in the alcohol aisle' with the implication the lady was obviously faking and could stand up to reach booze. And the number of people who took it at face value and failed to consider just how someone who could stand briefly and walk one or two steps would get around was staggering.

Ktkoozal

pumpkin89 wrote: »

If you really think most people have the choice of parking elsewhere or using public transport then you don't have a realistic understanding. I'm not saying that it's acceptable for disabled people to struggle to afford hospital visits. Personally I'd rather all hospital parking was free. In the current system, however, we have DLA, which is intended to cover this sort of additional expense. If DLA is not high enough, that's a different argument. I just really object to this idea that people should be given money by the state, and then also given free access to things that everyone else has to pay for.



Indeed, people should respect disabled bays where possible. I have sympathy for your condition but this reads as if you expect to get compensation for being disabled, which is ridiculous. You should get the support you need to live as full a life as possible, but it is nobody's fault that you have pain and difficulties (and, it should be remembered, many people not classed as disabled also have to deal with these).

Sorry if that came across as me complaining, it is absolutely not meant, but I definitely don't expect to be' compensated' because I am disabled. I was able-bodied and working til I was 33 so I can definitely see both sides of the situation. A lot of people know of someone who is playing the system and this does jade the view somewhat, I was aware of a couple of people when I was working and it used to infuriate me. I have no idea how they managed it, I wouldn't dare! You are really scrutinised in order to be eligible for benefits, particularly the PIP assessment. It's very hard to convey to someone how you can vary from minute to minute, and most of it is hidden from view and difficult to explain. So I totally get it. I understand how it seems from the outside.