Hello again,
After my recent experience with combined spinal nerve pain and a PMR flare when I could hardly move, I 've shocked myself by applying for a disabled parking badge. The application (UK) was done on line and took about two hours to complete, but it' s gone now.
I seem to recall some recent posts on here by people who have blue badges because of PMR, but I can't find them.
I should be grateful for any comments.
🌷
Well done. Shocked because you took yourself by surprise and did it or shocked to find yourself at a point in life when you need one?
Hi ,
I applied for a blue badge, I had to attend an interview to assess how disabled I was , and explain that some days I could get around better than others. The lady was very nice . I got my badge about a month later . It is invaluable to me as I can go shopping on my own and don’t have to rely on other people., which for me is important. Good luck ,
That's very encouraging Manchester lady. Thank you. I'm in Trafford, part of Greater Manchester so fingers crossed.
You must say how you are on your worst days
Thanks. I will.
I was refused when I applied for a blue badge in the first instance. My friend is a CAB volunteer and she reapplied for me and it came through within ten days. The trick is to imagine your very worst day. A day when you can barely drag yourself around. That is the day you describe to them. After all it is the day when you really do need a blue badge. The badge is invaluable and helps me maintain my independence.
Thanks Polymy. I'll keep the group posted. I was so angry with those, not PMR sufferers, who laughingly told me they got theirs by exaggerating their symptoms that I might have understated mine. Three weeks ago I was so immobilised that I couldn't walk across my apartment and the pain was excruciating. I did tell them that.
Hope you get it - I shall be very envious! My husband has lung problems, sometimes can barely walk 30m if it is cold, hot, windy, up a slope, steps. Other days he can walk a mile or two as long as it is completely flat and he can just toddle along. He has applied for disability here in Italy - assessed at 80% which means no medical charges at all for anything, discounts on appliances/aids and could mean a pension if we had a low income. But no blue badge - which is all we really wanted!!
Crumbs PMR Pro! That's horrendous.
I hope they're a little kinder here.
Everyone here told me I should exaggerate my symptoms. I couldn't do that but it's very hard to describe PMR limitations. I just told it as it is. Can't do any more.
He wasn't asked!!!!!! Strange system - but we knew you have to be about dead before you get one! Not that you'd know seeing people parking with badges and running into the shop - but I assume the badge is mummy's or daddy's ...
Yes. That makes me so mad!
Don't you believe it! They lie through their teeth!! We have a good friend who had a stroke and now can't walk at all well. She was refused! Her neighbour, gardens, goes on marathons and got his approved! He jumps in and out of the car and travels miles. How the hell do they do it?
That is awful! But I have seen the same thing re very active people leaping out of their cars parked in disabled spaces. 😡😡😡
A bit different, but I called a taxi the other day and got in before the driver got out. When we arrived he got out, walked round the car grabbing on wherever he could, and opened my door. He was so crippled I was horrified!! Bet he didn't have a blue badge though!!😂😂
😳😳😳🤫🤫
Has anyone reported him? Not the taxi driver ...
Don't know! The things people do!!
Being that sort of person - I would! There must be a hotline ...
Same here so annoying when you see others stuggling because they are honest .
I don't think you need to exaggerate, your back symptoms alone have impacted your mobility. I had one for 6 years then it ran out. I keep meaning to replace but forget I have filled in online then Ned photos, couldn't find pip form. Useless 😂😂😕
In the supermarket I will park but everywhere else it's dodgy. It is very useful and I used it on the continent. Not sure that'll happen again for lots of reasons.
Ooh. It's a tortuous process. Everytime I uploaded a document, the scanning etc took so long it timed me out. I had to start from the beginning again!
When I sent it and it was acknowledged I was shouting 'Hallelujah' over and over again. Goodness only knows what me neighbours below thought! 🙂🙂😂
😂😂😂
Same here - you must be half dead if you want a blue badge, but the AOK pay for people to go on a Kur every two years which costs far far more than a blue badge. Daft!
Hope you are successful.
If you need an interview - you may not, not all councils put you though that - make sure you emphasise the problems you have with walking - that seems to be one of the major factors.
I got mine for arthritic problems so can’t really give advice on PMR successes.
I have osteo--arthritis of the spine too and I've included that in my application. We shall see but I'm not holding my breath! X
I think you have more chance because you described your OA, they understand that more as a limiting issue.
My first blue badge runs out at the end of this month (lasts 3 years). I didn't realise that I would not get any reminders to renew and so renewed 6 weeks before it runs out and they told me it would take 6-12 weeks to process! So now I'm wondering how to manage from Friday. I am hoping that I haven't heard anything so far because they are not going to have to do another phone and personal assessment like last time. I will be contacting them tomorrow to see what is happening.
That’s another anomaly in the system then. My late hubby got reminders, and I have too!
Perhaps my provider is more caring!
I hAve never got a reminder.
Must just be Dorset then! We’re a very polite bunch down here 😂🤣😂
😂😂😂 I risked parking in a spot at the hospital last week. I wasn't very good in my legs so found an empty space and put the empty wallet up with the timer and kept my fingers crossed. It's all hills here so I had to take a risk. Phew!
Thanks for flagging this up Suzy. Mine runs out in December this year , so I will check to see if I can expect a reminder and also how long to allow for a renewal. I’ve developed Pulmonary hypertension since the blue badge was issued which makes walking any distance at all very challenging and leaves me breathless. Mine was issued by West Sussex County Council.
When I phoned the council office re renewing I was told that nationally this is all to be online and ai managed to get one of the last opportunities for written application -faster turnaround than online.
I have to say that I do not see how mobility can be assessed without personal observation by a experienced/qualified assessor.
Hope your application goes through. I got one for OH at our local library and it went through while I talked to her. I do seem to have met some really kind people who helped me while He was so ill. He is quite well at the moment but it is still handy.
I've just received mine.. I did it on line, I had to put all the consultants names and hospitals that I attend for my different ailments.
It took about three weeks to come through, but I received a phone call first to say I had been accepted.
Mine comes from Kent- as usual, less efficient and caring than other local authorities....
I don't qualify though I have Klinefelters Syndrome (born with and extremely rare), Osteoporosis, Varicose Veins, Giant Cell Arteritis (extremely rare), a poorly functioning immune system, ten fractures to date, and a scoliosis (spine deformity), I can still walk 50 yards. That used to be the criteria when I was issuing Blue Badges for my local County Council. I issued the first Blue One when they changed from the orange ones though I can't remember the date. Perhaps its time for me to try applying. It will be interesting to see if they turn me down and give a reason. I did hear that they were thinking of changing criteria but I can't remember to what.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Regards
Colin
I have just had an email to say that they are sending me my new blue badge- it will take 14 days (!) Phew!
Good for you and encouraging for me. I will put fingers to phone tonight and hope my council has similar timeframe.
Dear suzy1959
14 days to put a badge and the other information into an envelope and add a stamp is diabolical. One wonders what else they are doing if it takes so long. When a neighbour over the road died in 2007 and the husband wanted a services appraisal out of my County Council they said they were a bit behind with assessments and it would take 18-months. He'd moved into a home in another Council area so I don't know if it was ever carried out. Having worked in Social Services for several years as an administrator I know there were lots of meetings. That's the one thing that turned me off Social Services so I was pleased to join Architects and work in financial control of property construction.
Regards
Colin
Tell me about it! I used to be a social worker so know all about bureaucracy!! I agree 14 days is not impressive, nor is 8 weeks to re-issue a blue badge! But at least I have it!
Poopadoop, did you ever get your replacement badge?
Not yet. I have lost the photos so got to get new ones then get them signed. But I will eventually. Just giving my friend a few days off too as she not well.
Disability Discrimination Act - UK
Blue Badge and benefits? 
Getting a blue badge for parking
