Money Moral Dilemma: Should I get a Disabled Person's Railcard when my condition doesn't affect me?

Spoonie_Turtle

HillStreetBlues said:

bikaga said:

Hmm. Eligibility criteria for epilepsy appear to be: Have epilepsy - You either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving. So according to that and your description, you don't actually qualify.

https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/

Seems like this "moral dilemma" is really about  shall I commit fraud by getting a cheaper ticket then I'm entitled too.
I'm sure those in MSE towers wouldn't condone fraud, so this "dilemma" is now a moot point.

If they're eligible for the railcard then it's not fraud.

[If.  It seems they don't meet the epilepsy criterion so the only way to qualify would be if they receive PIP.]

HillStreetBlues

Spoonie_Turtle said:

If they're eligible for the railcard then it's not fraud.

[If.  It seems they don't meet the epilepsy criterion so the only way to qualify would be if they receive PIP.]

As nothing is mentioned about PIP in post only epilepsy, that's what I based my comment on.
Also why would a person by on PIP for epilepsy if it's been over 10 years since fit  doesn't affect their life?
 

Spoonie_Turtle

HillStreetBlues said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

If they're eligible for the railcard then it's not fraud.

[If.  It seems they don't meet the epilepsy criterion so the only way to qualify would be if they receive PIP.]

As nothing is mentioned about PIP in post only epilepsy, that's what I based my comment on.
Also why would a person by on PIP for epilepsy if it's been over 10 years since fit  doesn't affect their life?

Yes I know but since in the opening post they believe they're eligible, it seems they're only asking because of that.  There's no indication they would attempt to deceive their way into getting one.

keithyno.1

If you QUALIFY for a Disabled Person's Railcard, then sure, go ahead and get one.

The hint is in that word ‘qualify.’ As usual on here, some people are making assumptions they shouldn’t and trying to suggest you DON’T qualify for one. As long as you’ve checked (and double checked) the qualification criteria and it DOES apply to you, why wouldn’t you go ahead and get one?

YOU don’t set that qualification criteria, do you? So don’t feel in the slightest bit guilty in taking advantage of something set up to help people in your situation.

One of my best friends is completely blind. I usually run him in my car and accompany him to any appointments he has e.g. hospital appointments. He is issued with a blue badge, due to his obviously disability, which he always brings with him and which we use to park in a disabled bay sometimes, if it’s convenient and otherwise parking would be difficult. Now technically in these situations we don’t NEED to take advantage of his blue badge, because I guide him from the car to where he has to go by him linking his arm with mine (I act as his working pair of eyes, if you will).

Now many of the ‘high and mighty morals’ brigade on here would suggest that’s disgraceful, because we’re using up a disabled parking space when his mobility as such is not affected when he’s with me (he doesn’t suffer from any other disability). But my attitude to that is TOUGH! Neither he or I set the eligibility criteria for the issue of blue badges but he qualifies for and receives one. So why shouldn’t he use it and take advantage of it?

It’s the same point in principle with the poster’s question on here in my opinion - you qualify for it, so take advantage of it and use it!

And before any of the ‘high and mighty morals’ brigade come down on me like a ton of bricks - maybe they ought to consider their good fortune if they DON’T suffer from any form of disability such as epilepsy or blindness, rather than preaching what’s right and what’s wrong to those who do!

gerrag

• For me?.......keithyno.1 has absolutely nailed it! 
• I'm in total agreement.

marcia_

poppy12345 said:

dtl said:

If you have a driving license then you are not entitled to the disabled person's rail card.   The rules state to qualify, you must have epilepsy and 'You either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving.'

That's misleading. I have a driving license and i've had a disabled persons railcard in the past.

 Then you either didn't actually qualify under epilepsy rules or the rules were different then. 

john_evmk

You should do what you feel is the right thing. Just bear in mind that your condition is lifelong and if you ever have another fit, DVLA may suspend your driving license.

If you do get the railcard but still feel it is morally wrong in any way, donate the reduction in the fare to an epilepsy charity or any other charity. That way you will both feel good and do good.

shoneyco

I had a similar dilemma when I first realised that I qualified for a disabled persons rail card due to my hearing impairment. Well hearing isn’t immediately related to mobility is it? My daughter helped at that time by asking a simple question: Are the disabled persons railcards rationed at all? ie might my getting one mean another person (maybe with a more ‘relevant’ disability) missed out? The answer is definitely not. So I applied, got one and use it regularly. 

Edina_Typhoon

I'd say get the card.  It still costs £20 and there's frequently the same discount offered on the normal £30 railcard, so if you bought while it was on offer, you wouldn't be getting any more benefit than anyone else.  If the Disabled Person's railcard was a serious attempt to enable disabled people to travel more cheaply or easily, it would be free.

Chris_Jay

Keithyno1 has made the most sensible points on this question, for me.
I don't have epilepsy, but my sister does. She was diagnosed over thirty years ago, and couldn't drive for two years. It's dropped to one year since then. She hasn't had an episode in waking hours, they happened in her sleep. Her meds have kept her stable, but they have their own side effects, which need other meds to counter them, and it's for life.

Keithyno1 is a wonderful friend, and another unsung hero, in my opinion. He makes the valid point that he could park in a standard bay, but that carries the possibility of another driver not being as careful as they should be, when these friends are negotiating their way to where they're going, so it's absolutely right that they use the disabled bays.

The OP is concerned about using a rail card, because she's been free of episodes for some time, but that doesn't mean they won't start again. Anything official that would inform the paramedics, or railway staff, or anyone in any situation, of her epilepsy, can only be a useful tool in treating someone having an episode, so they can be treated swiftly and effectively.

I'm a non-driver with a blue badge. I have it because I have severe arthritis, which is lifelong, incurable and miserable.
I also have stage four metastatic bone cancer, also lifelong, incurable and miserable. Neither condition shows to the outsider, who sees me struggling to get out of cars driven by family and friends, and I do get nasty comments and looks, and it's unnecessary. My conditions don't have identifying paperwork that I could keep in my bag in case of a crisis in public, but I can get a card to say that I have continence issues, to show in shops or businesses in that crisis...!

I feel that the OP needs to work with her moral compass, and decide what is best for her, and not worry about what other people think!
On that basis, I will take my nose out of other people's business, and just wish her well.