Blue badge

[wilsond]

Just to let people know,I have had the blue badge awarded for AFib and AFL,this is in Warwickshire and may vary across the UK.

Worth trying .

[BobD Volunteer]

Well done and very lucky. When I asked I was laughed at even addding in osteoarthritis in my knees and ankles.

[wilsond in reply to BobD]

Oh! There's so much variation isn't there? Huh!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to wilsond]

Apparently if you can walk to your car you can walk to the shops! Welcome to North Devon!

[bantam12 in reply to BobD]

A friend of mine got a badge and she has no medical problems other than being overweight ! I think I might try for one as it would certainly help with hospital parking.

[wilsond in reply to bantam12]

It's worth a try

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

There is a 50:50 rule you can use to appeal - you need to be able to walk there and BACK!

[Hidden]

Thank you wilsond. That’s really useful and I’m so glad for you. I’m attempting the same thing in a different area of U.K. because of ongoing debilitating breathlessness caused by AF, so it’s cheering to hear your news and fingers crossed for my own application too. I don’t have any issue with the criteria being widened to include more disabilities but it does seem a really odd thing to preclude people who are struggling with breath through AF in favour of someone who is perfectly able to walk for miles but has a mental health condition.

[Swampygirl in reply to Hidden]

I get annoyed with people slating people with mental health conditions. I have AF, Osteoarthritis, and mental health issues among other health conditions.

I have a blue badge because I am hardly able to walk due to my hips osteoarthritis and the constant pain from it and my sciatic nerve.

People who have never experienced mental heath issues may change their views should they be diagnosed with it. Just because you can't see the mental health condition doesn't mean it's not there. If people can't be nice, then it's best to button it and say nothing.

[Hidden in reply to Swampygirl]

Absolutely agree with you Swampygirl (maybe with the exception of the 'button it'). I see no reason why we can't ALL have blue badges, for mental and physical disabilities. It shouldn't be a competition.

[bantam12 in reply to Hidden]

There aren't enough badge parking spaces to cover the potential demand, not even enough now !

[Davidc1075 in reply to bantam12]

Only because people with children and others who dont care park in them

[Davidc1075 in reply to Hidden]

Any luck with your application ?

[Hidden in reply to Davidc1075]

Alas no. Not a refusal but just a long silence..... I don't suppose, with everyone ordered to work from home again that there will be an answer now, for a further protracted period of time! 😕

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

Took about 8 weeks for me x

[Ducky2003]

Interesting. Hadn't thought about that, though I'm not sure I could put up with the glares when folk think there's nothing wrong with you as you're not limping (though Bob may be), or in a wheelchair. I've always said I could thump people who do the "but you look so well" bit and so I'd feel I had to wear a big sign round my neck with an explanation of what's wrong with me 🤣.My friend lives in Castle Donington, mid 70s, has deformed feet so has special shoes and back issues, struggles walking any distance and her council turned her down. Yet another friend, living near me had asthma but was well controlled and he played 18 holes of golf 2 or 3 times a week and got one.

Post code lottery as with many health related things.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ducky2003]

I find I can walk about a mile (with two sticks) when my wife gets the electric cattle prod out. lol Lesser of two evils.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

🤣

[Lbeat796 in reply to BobD]

Might be handy as a tachycardia stopper😀

[wilsond in reply to Ducky2003]

Yes it's not fair is it?Oh I do already get glares but I just smile enigmatically !

[Ducky2003 in reply to wilsond]

I'm a slap first, smile later kinda gal so it's probably best if I don't have one 😁.

[Desanthony]

Well done!

[jeanjeannie50]

That's good to hear.

At one time I could really have done with the blue badge, but not now. I think it was changing my diet that really helped more than the ablations, though I did feel so much better after my third. I feel for anyone that needs one now, life must be hard for you.

Jean

[Guitar335 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean what was the main dietary changes you made please?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Guitar335]

More plant based, natural and additive free. Less red meat, more fish. I also cut down on the size of my meals. I snack on nuts and fruit. I would never eat anything that contains artificial sweeteners as I know they definitely set my heart off racing.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Guitar335]

Just thought, I also have lactose free milk at home.

[belindalore in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Have you tried almond milk? Or oat milk?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to belindalore]

Hi Belinda

I have, but am happy with the ordinary lactose one thanks.

Jean

[belindalore in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Okay. 👍

[Mrsvemb]

My uncle has had a blue badge for over 15 years. He has AF (supposedly). I don’t think he has had an episode for over 15 years. He has a bit of arthritis, however he walks 2 miles every morning.I think it is very dependant on where you live. He lives in Kent and his GP completes the form. Nothing to do with the bottle of scotch he buys him every Christmas!

In Essex, it is managed by Adult Social Care and the criteria is very strict.

[wilsond in reply to Mrsvemb]

Such a lot of variety!

[KentAndrew in reply to Mrsvemb]

I also live in Kent and will willingly swap a bottle of Scotch for a Blue Badge just to save parking fees. I am fortunate and don’t need a Blue Badge for its intended use.

Perhaps I need to change GPs?

[P0rtnahapp1e]

I’ve had one for over four years. The first time I used it I returned to my car to find a particular traffic warden, with whom I had history in my business premises, standing beside it, tapping her device. She asked to see the hidden side of my card so that she could verify my ownership, and harrumphed when I held it up beside my face.

“It isn’t for the likes of you to go off and do your shopping !”

“Oh yes madam, that’s exactly what it’s for.” 🤣🤣🤣

[wilsond in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

Priceless!! Lol

[Jetcat]

That’s good. It should make life a little easier.👍

[SuziElley]

My daughter has two spinal fusions, knee replacement, metalwork in her leg, nerve damage to foot and leg and guess what? That’s right, no blue badge!

[Hairem]

What is a blue badge?

[wilsond in reply to Hairem]

It's a parking permit in the UK that allows you either free parking or discounted parking.

[P0rtnahapp1e in reply to wilsond]

I’ve never had free or discounted parking, only permission to park in a designated parking space in a car park. I still pay the same as the other motorists.

[wilsond in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

Its such a lottery isn't it

[6TIMES]

Hi, i have a blue badge and live in the north west, still have to pay at the hospital car park but at least you can park close to the building, you can claim half of any road tax as a blue badge holder and if people give funny looks or make comments because your in a disabled bay just ignore them and remember that not ever disability is visible

[wilsond in reply to 6TIMES]

Thank you about the road tax didn't know that xx

[belindalore]

For a minute I didn't know what you were talking about. Then after reading the posts I understand. In the states we call it disability person placard or handicapped parking plaque. Different names for the same thing in different countries. I do agree with some of the comments about how some people give others a dirty look when someone doesnt "look" unhealthy to have one. Just because someone may look fine on the outside doesn't mean they aren't unwell. And here too I've known people who really didn't need a plaque who finagled the system to get one and the next person who really does need one has a hard time getting it. Such unfairness all around.

But glad you got yours. Take care.

[tunybgur]

Exercise is essential for your health....just saying....

[wilsond in reply to tunybgur]

I know, I do my best to keep as mobile as I can. On bad days I'm not able to. Obviously I'm not driving myself then but husband takes me if necessary. Xx

[reinaway]

I have had a blue badge for 6 years and had no trouble getting it here in Northamptonshire. Perhaps they take age into consideration and if so I am well into qualification!! I suppose there must be some perks 😅

[tubteacher]

I had a badge for 9 years after serious accident and unable to walk unaided just a few feet. I went to renew my card and adding Afib as well. A few weeks later I received notification my application had been declined though my condition had not improved mobility-wise and with the addition of fibrilation!

Apparently now badges taken on by out sourced company.

A friend from CAB wanted to take action and request a meeting with the powers that be ... but I told her not to bother, could do without the fuss and I will percivere how best I can.

To add a footnote to this showing how stupid the system is. In a national daily paper the report of a gent who had lost a leg and had a blue badge for 15 years being refused ... did not match criteria! He did respond saying he could not see in the near future growing his leg back! My sort of attitude.

[wilsond in reply to tubteacher]

Oh thats crazy! Love his comment too