COPD-Blue badge

[Mozzer1953]

Has anyone been awarded a blue badge with COPD Stage 2 in illness. I had one up until last March 13. I had to be assessed for mobility and was then refused even though the assessor recognised that I was having difficulty in walking. Maurice.

[Jezebel2]

Well thats not fair when you have qualified and not got well again !

[stilltruckin]

assets.dft.gov.uk/publicati...

[katieoxo60]

It is a very unfair system for blue badge, not many people get it for a specific illness. The new rules do place more emphasis on how badly your illness effects your ability to walk or if you get high mobility rate of disability benefits. I believe it's the local council who assesses your mobility now not the NHS. I don't think it is fair that the new regulations can prevent current holders of a badge from having it renewed automatically. I have one but have more than one illness that effects my mobility plus a visual impairment. Not sure if you can appeal a decision.

[andymb]

Hi Mozzer, I was severe before I applied (and got) the badge, so I can't really answer your question. Strange you should get it and it not being renewed though, it's not as if it's an illness that gets better, only worse! Andy

[Chris3]

I think I was told when I was assessed that you can appeal the decision. Good luck.

[Jovi_Lady]

Hi, this is my first post, I used to have a blue badge till I lost if 2 years ago after losing my DLA appeal, I got the blue badge about a month ago, i no longer get DLA im in the support group for ESA, and I have level 2 (Moderate) COPD

Apply for it, you have nothing to lose, I applied online and was sent an appointment to go see some woman from the council, she basically took down a load of details regarding my health, I was then sent for an assessment (nothing as scary as the ATOS one) was an OT that did it she just asked some questions and I had to go for a walk with her she timed me and made a note of how long it took and how many times I had to stop

[Jake364]

Keep fighting then you will get it

[1redkite]

I have mod/severe copd (not sure what number that is) and when I applied to Herefordshire Council they granted me one.

Had to answer questions for nearly an hour though, but the Blue Badge came through the post in 7 days.

I took my annual COPD test readings with me for the last 3 years which seemed to make an impression, also a list of my medications (you get a copy each time you receive a repeat prescription.

I recommend that you always ask for a copy of the print out when you go for your annual copd check - it's worth a try. Good luck!

[CornishBrian]

Appeal...it costs nothing but time. In the mean time, just keep a diary of how it is effecting you. My daughter lived in a residents parking zone and I used mine for that. Without it, I couldn't visit. List things like that...missed opportunities to go shopping, visiting, cinema ...anything and use that to support your doctors notes, medication etc. It seems the more paperwork you give them, the more it goes in your favour.

[onamission]

I would of thought level 2 COPD was very mild I'm level 4 severe COPD I do have a blue badge but was turned down for DLA and ESA I do think it is down to the council where you live

[Jovi_Lady in reply to onamission]

level 3 is Severe, level 4 is very severe, I never got DLA was turned down for that too but applied through the council, you don't have to get DLA to get a blue badge like you say think its down to the council, I know it goes on a kind of points system you have to have I think it was one of the descriptors to qualify for it

[onamission in reply to Jovi_Lady]

good luck our council is good I did have to see a health care worker and then got my badge but have to reapply every 3 years

[Mozzer1953 in reply to onamission]

I assure you level 2 is not mild that was last years assessment before I had to retire early at 60. I've also suffered from Asthma since being born and in the last 10 years have had 3 near fatal attacks. It's very distressing to come as close to death as I did, people suffer differently to each other and some people are stronger than others.

[onamission in reply to Mozzer1953]

sorry you are so ill I'm going by the information on the net giving levels from 1 to 5 level 5 being the last stage by each stage it gives you a description what the stage is it is written by experts if I can find the link I will send it to you, as I said I'm level 4 which is classed as severe but like you said each person is affected differently like my friend she is also level four and is so breathless she can't string a sentence together hope your feeling better soon

[Jovi_Lady in reply to onamission]

Thanx for the link, but that link shows only 4 stages according the the GOLD guidelines there is only 4 stages mild, moderate, severe and very severe

[onamission in reply to Jovi_Lady]

some member put a link on hear a while ago can't remember who but it showed the 5 levels I think it might of been on the NICA guide lines for treating COPD I remember it recommended GP's send people with this condition on a PR course I have never been on one myself but I have changed GP's so it might be they think my old GP sent me on the course

[Tlmartin1 in reply to Jovi_Lady]

Their is only 4 stages so I don't know we're the other person's experts are coming from.stage 3 is severe.4 very.I'm stage 3 but only on inhalers.the nurse said theirs people with lesser stage then you and on oxygen full time so it affects people differently

[onamission in reply to Mozzer1953]

I found this for you I hope it helps copdstages.org/