Disabled Parking (another view)
Discussion
I know that threads involving able bodied people parking in disabled bays without a blue badge has been discussed numerous times,I thought i would write down what its like on the other side of the fence so to speak.
A bit of background first to make things clear.
My son (13 yrs old)has cerebal palsy and has to wear splints which are made of very stiff plastic to aid him in walking,These are rigid at the heel to help with his gait and stretch his muscles but only come upto his knee,When he is dropped of at school he has a teachers assistant to take him to his class and all other classes throughout the day as having 1000 odd kids running about he is not quick enough to get out of the way.
He can walk some distance but looks a bit like charlie chaplin with his hands outstretched for balance,He is a happy boy and has bags of confidence but does not like the extra attention he gets at school from other pupils and teachers (health & safety spring to mind).
He gets disability living allowance which pays for the car tax (and blue badge) and the rest we put in the bank for him for when he gets older.
The only reason we park in a disabled bay is that when he opens the door to get in or out it has to be opened all the way because of his splints,this is made easier as the disabled bays are wider.
We do get alot of stares from people when we use the blue badge as outwardly he looks no different to any other boy.He did once ding another persons car when he opened it too wide and we told customer services the reg number.
So all i am trying to say is it is not the end of the world if we can't get to use a disabled bay as him walking further does him good but as the saab doors are tank like in construction and are heavy it is easier for me to open it for him and make sure dents are avoided.
It makes life easier when shopping to use the badge but if we did'nt i would just park out of the way and carry on as normal.
So the next time you see someone parked in the disabled bay without obvious signs of disablement its not just because we can't be Arsed to park further away, I would gladly walk 1000,000,000 miles to
the shop and have my son live his life normally.
I hope this thread made sense.
A bit of background first to make things clear.
My son (13 yrs old)has cerebal palsy and has to wear splints which are made of very stiff plastic to aid him in walking,These are rigid at the heel to help with his gait and stretch his muscles but only come upto his knee,When he is dropped of at school he has a teachers assistant to take him to his class and all other classes throughout the day as having 1000 odd kids running about he is not quick enough to get out of the way.
He can walk some distance but looks a bit like charlie chaplin with his hands outstretched for balance,He is a happy boy and has bags of confidence but does not like the extra attention he gets at school from other pupils and teachers (health & safety spring to mind).
He gets disability living allowance which pays for the car tax (and blue badge) and the rest we put in the bank for him for when he gets older.
The only reason we park in a disabled bay is that when he opens the door to get in or out it has to be opened all the way because of his splints,this is made easier as the disabled bays are wider.
We do get alot of stares from people when we use the blue badge as outwardly he looks no different to any other boy.He did once ding another persons car when he opened it too wide and we told customer services the reg number.
So all i am trying to say is it is not the end of the world if we can't get to use a disabled bay as him walking further does him good but as the saab doors are tank like in construction and are heavy it is easier for me to open it for him and make sure dents are avoided.
It makes life easier when shopping to use the badge but if we did'nt i would just park out of the way and carry on as normal.
So the next time you see someone parked in the disabled bay without obvious signs of disablement its not just because we can't be Arsed to park further away, I would gladly walk 1000,000,000 miles to
the shop and have my son live his life normally.
I hope this thread made sense.
It does... And most people realise that you don't have to be quadriplegic to need such spaces. The world could do with a little more tolerance and understanding some times. I wish you all the best. Life has enough challenges without the stupid actions of the petty making it more so..
drivin_me_nuts said:
It does... And most people realise that you don't have to be quadriplegic to need such spaces. The world could do with a little more tolerance and understanding some times. I wish you all the best. Life has enough challenges without the stupid actions of the petty making it more so..
thankyou.PSBuckshot said:
What about the ones at my gym who park there and then go spend an hour on the treadmill or weight lifting?
One guy always takes to 1 1/2 bays. That is just bone idleness.
Taking 1 1/2 bays is just being a tOne guy always takes to 1 1/2 bays. That is just bone idleness.
t, which he would be if he was disabled or not, but there are disabilities which would still allow treadmill work or weight lifting, rightly or wrongly the blue badge is not all about being physically disabled, it is meant for mobility issues but that seems to cover a broad spectrum.Edited by mercfunder on Monday 2nd July 16:04
Totally agree and understand OP.
We have a close family friend in his late twenties who had to have the lower part of his left leg amputated.
He then invested in a state of the art prosthetic lower limb (from his own pocket) as he found the NHS version uncomfortable and not sufficiently articulated enough for his needs.
He now walks with a very slight and almost undetectable limp, which is what his goal was.
He's re-told us several story's over the past couple of years of parking in a Blue badge space, and getting funny looks, and on more than one occasion unjustified abuse from passers by.
His reaction is to stop, lift up his left trouser leg and point.
We have a close family friend in his late twenties who had to have the lower part of his left leg amputated.
He then invested in a state of the art prosthetic lower limb (from his own pocket) as he found the NHS version uncomfortable and not sufficiently articulated enough for his needs.
He now walks with a very slight and almost undetectable limp, which is what his goal was.
He's re-told us several story's over the past couple of years of parking in a Blue badge space, and getting funny looks, and on more than one occasion unjustified abuse from passers by.
His reaction is to stop, lift up his left trouser leg and point.
TheProfessor said:
He's re-told us several story's over the past couple of years of parking in a Blue badge space, and getting funny looks, and on more than one occasion unjustified abuse from passers by.
His reaction is to rip his leg off and beat said passers by over the head with it
.
This would be much more amusing. His reaction is to rip his leg off and beat said passers by over the head with it
.
TheProfessor said:
Totally agree and understand OP.
We have a close family friend in his late twenties who had to have the lower part of his left leg amputated.
He then invested in a state of the art prosthetic lower limb (from his own pocket) as he found the NHS version uncomfortable and not sufficiently articulated enough for his needs.
He now walks with a very slight and almost undetectable limp, which is what his goal was.
He's re-told us several story's over the past couple of years of parking in a Blue badge space, and getting funny looks, and on more than one occasion unjustified abuse from passers by.
His reaction is to stop, lift up his left trouser leg and point.
.We have a close family friend in his late twenties who had to have the lower part of his left leg amputated.
He then invested in a state of the art prosthetic lower limb (from his own pocket) as he found the NHS version uncomfortable and not sufficiently articulated enough for his needs.
He now walks with a very slight and almost undetectable limp, which is what his goal was.
He's re-told us several story's over the past couple of years of parking in a Blue badge space, and getting funny looks, and on more than one occasion unjustified abuse from passers by.
His reaction is to stop, lift up his left trouser leg and point.
Well surely he doesnt need a badge anymore, if he is as able as you claim?
Another un-related thing which boils my p*ss....
A disabled person's car tax disc will show up as 'exempt' - this is always on display. My dad has accidently failed to display the blue badge in the front window (for whatever reason) and has subsequently picked up parking tickets. Hasn't paid a single one, as on appeal they have been lifted.
But what a waste of time, a simple observation could've saved all that paperwork...
A disabled person's car tax disc will show up as 'exempt' - this is always on display. My dad has accidently failed to display the blue badge in the front window (for whatever reason) and has subsequently picked up parking tickets. Hasn't paid a single one, as on appeal they have been lifted.
But what a waste of time, a simple observation could've saved all that paperwork...
OP, you'll get nothing but sympathy from me. My Dad is 92 and on the rare occasions he leaves the house it is by car with his wheelchair on board. Having the extra width of a disabled bay is as much for the protection of adjacent cars as it is to help him get out, like your lad he sometimes pushes the door wide open to help him manouvere himself into his 'chair.
Dad has a blue badge which is only ever used when he's in one of the family's cars but even then I've received stares when I've hopped out and walked round to the passenger side to help him out. Some people seem to think it's only for the driver.
Dad has a blue badge which is only ever used when he's in one of the family's cars but even then I've received stares when I've hopped out and walked round to the passenger side to help him out. Some people seem to think it's only for the driver.
Thank you OP for a great post.
We have Similar problems, my wife had a hip replacement, and was left with one leg 2 inches shorter and nerve damage.
She walks with a very bad limp, but we still get remarks from old people (it's always old people) that we shouldn't park in disabled bays.
One woman even said that my wife was to young to have a blue badge, and said she would call the police, because we parked on yellow lines.
My wife would happily swap her badge for the ability to walk properly again.
OP all the best to your son.
We have Similar problems, my wife had a hip replacement, and was left with one leg 2 inches shorter and nerve damage.
She walks with a very bad limp, but we still get remarks from old people (it's always old people) that we shouldn't park in disabled bays.
One woman even said that my wife was to young to have a blue badge, and said she would call the police, because we parked on yellow lines.
My wife would happily swap her badge for the ability to walk properly again.
OP all the best to your son.
Much the same here, hip, knee and back issues (in addition to iffy lungs) mean I rely on my badge heavily to reduce the amount of time I have to be on my feet. I also need the door wide open now as I'm struggling to turn enough to get in/out easily.
Still, a 41yr old skinhead must be a fraud eh...
Still, a 41yr old skinhead must be a fraud eh...
Another thing that annoys me is that when i park up people ask why have i got a saab aero estate with a blue badge.
1/Its a 1999 model so it is very low to the ground.
2/The rear doors open very wide.
3/Its rear legroom is good.
4/The interior door handles are big and easy to use.
All the above makes life easier for my son and that it seems to be made out of granite and is nippy is a bonus.
1/Its a 1999 model so it is very low to the ground.
2/The rear doors open very wide.
3/Its rear legroom is good.
4/The interior door handles are big and easy to use.
All the above makes life easier for my son and that it seems to be made out of granite and is nippy is a bonus.
True story now, I know that we both feel terrible for the following act too...
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010. Fathers day gift. Me and dad have to hang around at home to get my mum out of bed and wait for the carer to arrive (who is late). Get to the event late, cars already going up the hill etc.
Parked in the disabled bit of field (less far to walk) after waving the blue badge.
Then got offered a lift to the main entrance from the car via the Goodwood minibus. Had to pretend that my dad was the disabled one but 'he was having an OK day today so would walk it'
Felt awful afterwards.
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010. Fathers day gift. Me and dad have to hang around at home to get my mum out of bed and wait for the carer to arrive (who is late). Get to the event late, cars already going up the hill etc.
Parked in the disabled bit of field (less far to walk) after waving the blue badge.
Then got offered a lift to the main entrance from the car via the Goodwood minibus. Had to pretend that my dad was the disabled one but 'he was having an OK day today so would walk it'
Felt awful afterwards.
The problem is peoples perceptions of a disability.
I honestly don't care if someone has a toe/foot or whole limb hanging off. The degree to which someone has suffered injury is not what entitles them to a blue badge, its the degree of disability.
In other words if someone has a prosthetic limb, but can make it in and out of a normal space and walks with an imperceptable limp then they shouldn't have a blue badge as far as the rules go.
Furthermore the blue badge used to state 'cannot walk more than 25 metres without stopping or help from another person'. Higher than that and you didn't get a blue badge. This was a swinging rule as anyone who couldn't walk 25 metres probably wasn't going anywhere even if they were dropped at the door so to speak.
In reality the person who decided this was the patients GP, an advocate usually of the patient and there was a fair amount of interpretation of this. I think this led to the eventually removal of this decision from the GP because the public perception was that doctors were giving these badges out to people who didn't deserve them.
I think blue badges are going to become much harder to renew by public consent.
I honestly don't care if someone has a toe/foot or whole limb hanging off. The degree to which someone has suffered injury is not what entitles them to a blue badge, its the degree of disability.
In other words if someone has a prosthetic limb, but can make it in and out of a normal space and walks with an imperceptable limp then they shouldn't have a blue badge as far as the rules go.
Furthermore the blue badge used to state 'cannot walk more than 25 metres without stopping or help from another person'. Higher than that and you didn't get a blue badge. This was a swinging rule as anyone who couldn't walk 25 metres probably wasn't going anywhere even if they were dropped at the door so to speak.
In reality the person who decided this was the patients GP, an advocate usually of the patient and there was a fair amount of interpretation of this. I think this led to the eventually removal of this decision from the GP because the public perception was that doctors were giving these badges out to people who didn't deserve them.
I think blue badges are going to become much harder to renew by public consent.
cindychops said:
Thankyou for all the positive comments but the post was not for sympathy it was just for the arrogant ignorant aholes that use the disabled bays when they have NO disability.
Won't make any difference I'm afraid, they'll carry on being arrogant, ignorant aholes that use the disabled bays when they have NO disability.holes just the same - you're assuming they can read and if they do they read PH, saw your topic and felt suitably contrite. All highly unlikely.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff