I've just completed my form and enclosed a letter, I feel like a fraud, because I can still work, just, and I'm not in a wheelchair, I feel like a real fraud, but I know parking nearer will truly help, after my recent venture into town it just proves that, I feel I should be worse to apply, but I know that's not the case, fact is I'm in a great deal of discomfort while on my feet and that's not gona change, oh well I done it now, we'll see, not gona open letter when it comes
Regards nicki xxxx
I'm not in a wheelchair - although I do make lots of use of mobility scooters in shops, shopping centres and tourist attractions.
Having the proximity to places, the extra space to get out of the car, the ability to park on double yellows is so much better. Where it really comes into it's own is when there are huge car parks before you get to where you are going, being able to flash your blue card at airshows and the like and get a VIP space is such a relief.
Enjoy using it - I know I do 
Julie xx
You automatically get a Blue Badge if you are in receipt of HRM component of DLA and as DLA is an in work benefit you can work and still be eligible for it. You shouldn't feel guilty or a fraud just because you're not in a wheelchair - if you need it, you need it. I'm not in a wheelchair but I have a mobility scooter because I struggle to walk more than a few yards (combination of OA in my hips & spine plus Fibro).
You'll certainly be glad if you do get one - I know it makes a heck of a difference for me to be able to park near to shops and to be able to open the car door fully to get in and out more easily - getting free parking in our local Council Car Parks is handy too!
homer, let's just imagine that I wrote your post. would you reply that I was a fraud? no. you'd probably applaud me for claiming the help that I need and deserve!
well done and I hope you hear soon.
regards,
sandra.
Morning Homer,
It is hard admitting that we need a badge isn't it , it will help so much and never think you are a fraud you certainly are not. There are a few things which help us through life and this is one go for it x gins
Thanks gins xxxxx
hi i have fibro and suffer with arthritis in my leg some times i cant walk more than a few steps as the pain is so bad .
I work fall time as a cook doing 10 hour shifts its killing me , do you think i could claim a blue badge.
Maybe you should go part time freddie I can't imagine standing for that length of time, agony !!!!!!!!
Regards nicki xxx
Don't keep suffering. Apply for a blue badge as soon as possible as it's too much for you. Cooking is hardwork work. You need your legs. Your shift is far too long. Try for DLA. Take care
Karen
hi freddie2. yes of course you need a blue badge!! don't know how you
can work so hard whilst still staying on your feet. it is tough. have just
applied for renewal for blue badge and can't believe how difficult the form is. hubby suggested we go to CAB for help.
thanks
good luck Homer.
morning homer,
you are not afraud but i do understand i feel like that still and i have been told by my gp, physio's to not be it is there to help us we definatley aint frauds i didnt use wheelchair when i was first issued with mine 15years ago but in the last 6 months are having to use on days when i am bad (walking stick) i hate having to use i feel like evryone is looking at me and sayin you dont need that , my husband recentley said to me maybe we should take the wheelchair when we go for days out so when you are tired we can still continue with our day out and you will be resting i find this really hard to except that i need this and refuse and you can gaurentee after an hour or so i have had enough i keep quiet bout my pain and how im feeling and push my self so it doesnt spoil his day but he knows , i know am thinking he is right time to stop being silly it is there to help same as the blue badge is its there to make things as easy as possible don't feel bad like somebody as already said if anyone of us had put this blog you would telling us to enjoy xxxx enjoy your extra bit of freedom on the road and bonus its doesnt cost to park wahooo xx have a wonderful day and good luck xx
Homer, you are in constant pain. You need a Blue Badge. It's there to make life easier. You deserve it hun. It will take the strain off for you.
I felt like this when I applied for my Blue badge. It wasn't just the distance to walk places. but because of the problems I have with my neck and arms. parking in tight places was a nightmare. They gave it to me on the basis that I needed the wider parking bays to get in and out of the spaces and to get in and out of the car.It has helped so much and when I see others jump in and out of their cars and also don't LOOK disabled, I know now that perhaps they too have a 'hidden' disability and don't judge. As you now have to have a medical to get a badge, I feel that in it's self is a message that says " I may not look disabled, but others think/know I am" Good luck with your aplication and don't feel guilty. XX
It was one of the bosses at my last job who suggested to me that I apply for a blue badge. Staff all had to use a car park that was some distance from where we worked and I suppose he must have seen me struggle to and from my car. He said if I got a badge I'd be able to use the disabled spaces which were the only parking available at the centre. With my doctors support I got my badge several years before I got DLA and it made a huge difference to my life. Don't feel guilty Nicki, you wouldn't be applying if you weren't already struggling. xx
it was many years ago now that I got DLA and a Blue badge, show how long ago it was, there badges were orange back then, and I was in full time employment but neither have anything to do with wether you work or not, but beware if you are applying for a blue badge and say you suffer from agoraphobia for example as well as mobility problems and you will hardly go out the house, would be less lightly be granted it, even if you have higher rate mobility on DLA. this is what I was told by the council a couple f years ago when I renewed mine.
Well done for applying. You are not a fraud if in pain when mobile!
I got mine a few months ago and Its invaluable. Im not in a wheelchair but often walk with a frame. On the occasional good day when its with one stick, I do get the odd frown and stare as they cant see my pain when I park in a disabled slot and am sitting in my little convertible looking a picture of health. Its just unfortunate that folk EXPECT us to be half dead to get a badge. Go for it girl, dont worry about others, its looking out for you and yours that matters.
Good luck on application and may you also have many happy working years left too!
Smiles NN
THE APPLICATION FORMS FOR BLUE BADGES SEEMS TO BE STRUCTURED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO VIRTUALLY DETER ANYONE FROM APPLYING. THE QUESTIONS ARE DIFFICULT TO ANSWER AS THEY ASK FOR SPECIFIC ANSWERS. FAIR ENOUGH IF SOMEONE IS APPLYING FRAUDULENTLY - ONLY RIGHT THAT THEY SHOULD BE DISSUADED - BUT FOR GENUINE PEOPE WHO HAVE GENUINE SYMPTOMS A BLUE BADGE CAN BE INVALUABLE IN AFFORDING A SENSE OF INDEPENDANCE AND OF DIGNITY. THEN YOU HAVE TO SEND IT TO A SOCIAL WORKERS - NOT A DOCTOR AS BEFORE. SO SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW YOU HAS THE RESPONISBILITY OF GIVING AN ANSWER EITHER FOR OR NOT!! UNFAIR TOO ON SOCIAL WORKERS WHO PROBABLYALREADY HAVE A PRETTY FULL SCHEDULE.
ladyyingtong
Very interesting, didn't realize social workers make the decision !!!
Nicki xxx
HI Homer. Yes indeed they do. Also Ocupational Therapists.
Apart from the workload they probably already have - how can
the know about your health issues unless they have access toyour medical file. It used to be GP who would be able to give a fair
assessment. Life dont get any easier!!
My husband's got a blue badge and he's still working 30 miles away 3 days a week - but he has end stage renal failure and is age 70 - I often feel that I'm the one who benefits most from him having the blue badge and thank heavens for it as when my arthritis, sciatica and fibro play up I'd never manage to get to the shops if I had to walk so far. BUT my husband would struggle without the blue badge even though he's mobile and looks like any other pensioner - it's his energy levels that are different. If you find you are entitled to a blue badge then don't feel guilty just feel grateful for something that eases mobility difficulties. On the issue of who assesses, with some chronic disabilities I think it's the Consultant who recommends as my husband has never been called for a medical, presumably because no medic can know more about his condition than his specialist.
On a slightly different note, I feel furious when I see people without a blue badge park in a disabled space just because it's nearest the supermarket - but there's no simple cost-effective way of stopping that I guess.
blue badges and fibromyalgia
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