BLUE BADGE

[Senoritakazza]

Hi

I have recently been refused a Blue Badge - (I have Osteoarthritis as well as ET) and am about to appeal. My Local Authority have refused my application on the grounds that my illnesses are "temporary" (I have no idea how an MPN and Osteoarthritis can be deened temporary lol) and "not terminal" - does anyone with an MPN & Arthritis have a Blue Badge? If so, how did you get around the "not terminal" and how on Earth do you explain why they are not "temporary"?

[piggie50]

Hi Senoritakazza,

I have PV and rhumatoid arthritis. I have never applied for a blue badge as I don't feel incapacitated enough to need one. Although ET is permanent I don't think this alone would qualify you for a blue badge. I don't know how they assess eligibility but I would imagine that if you are incapable of walking more than a few yards due to your osteoarthritis you would qualify. Could your GP or Heam confirm that your illnesses are permanent?

Best wishes

Judy

[Senoritakazza in reply to piggie50]

Hi Judy, I wouldn't apply for my ET alone but my Osteoarthritis should have qualified alone.

The reason I asked is my Lical Authority give an automatic Blue Badge to anyone with cancer AND anyone who is terminal. I know ET isn't terminal so wondered if anyone had come across the "cancer" confusion (ie. Only tumeric cancers being approved) and how they got around it.

Thanks Judy x

[Hidden in reply to piggie50]

Hi Judy

What on earth is a blue badge? is it something that happens in UK?

Thanks Lyn

[Senoritakazza in reply to Hidden]

A Blue Badge is something you display in your car to enable you to park in disabled parking spaces Lyn

[piggie50 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lyn,

It's given to people who are either disabled, unable to walk far due to medical conditions etc. It's a scheme whereby if you are entitled you can park in certain places free of charge, or disabled spaces in supermarkets etc. It's called the blue badge because the document is blue. You place it on the windscreen of your car as proof that you are able to park in these places. I would imagine you probably have something similar just not called 'blue badge' .

Best regards

Judy x

[Hidden in reply to piggie50]

Oh I see, we have wheel chair stickers here for people with disabilities. I can understand patients with arthritis needing one as my mother was very disabled with this. Not sure about ET through?

[piggie50 in reply to Hidden]

I agree, my late husband had one as he had lung cancer. He looked ok and didn't need a wheelchair but was unable to walk more than a few yards. I think the system has been abused in the past in the UK with people sometimes using the blue badge when they don't even have the disabled person in the car with them. Councils differ on their criteria depending on which part of the country you live. I feel it should be standardised and if there is a real need one should be issued without having to fight for it.

I guess you're just moving into the nicer weather now Lyn?

[forwardocho]

Hello - I have a Blue Badge. I'm 50, and have ET. I was assessed by the DWP when I submitted my claim for PIP payments. My claim was successful and was based on a points system. I received an Award Letter from the DWP which listed numerous benefits I was entitled to claim for, one of which, was a Blue Badge. I also have POTS (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome) but was only diagnosed with this 3 weeks ago.

When I applied for my Badge I sent a copy of the my Award Letter from the DWP to my local council as proof I was eligible for one and my Badge was issued within 7 days. There was no questions asked.

Putting my POTS to one side, I still would have been able to apply for a Badge solely with ET and palpitations. The DWP had copies of my Consultant's medical reports, my Cardiologist's medical report and a letter from my GP.

I would have thought your condition alone would qualify you for one. Can your GP not intervene by submitting a medical report? Or if you have a consultant, ask them to send a letter on your behalf.

Good Luck

Angela

[Senoritakazza in reply to forwardocho]

Thank you Angela 😊 xx

[geordie]

Hi I appealed twice and was refused, however I complained through the official complaints procedure and asked for an assessment, which I got. The assessor was not given any history so it is important that you take all doctors letters and some background on the progressive nature of both conditions. After the assessment I was granted a blue badge. However, the blue badge is only valed for 3years so will be reapplying in November, I hope I do not have the same problem this time. I hope this helps.

[Senoritakazza in reply to geordie]

Thank you Geordie x

[catwoman2015]

I have has blue badge for 9 years now before my MPN i have a job ealking far and cant stand in ques for more than 10 min or less on bad days i gave arthuritis sice 1997 and had to retire early from work im not sure if we would get badge on the mpn if can get around etc regards Holly

[lizzziep]

I have a blue badge and ET, however the badge is solely for my arthritis. I cannot walk very far and can only stand for a couple of minutes. I did mention the ET on the application, explaining that my haematologist was unwilling for me to have a knee replacement operation because of the ET, but I don't think that was taken into account. I am hoping to have a knee replacement operation in the future as my platelets are more stable since being on Anagrelide. The application form asks how far you can walk, if it is more than 20 metres it is refused. I don't know whether different councils have different rules and conditions. Best of luck with the appeal.

[Senoritakazza in reply to lizzziep]

Thank you Lizzie xx