Disable badge

[Harrigan]

Hi I have had PMR for 2 years, my main trouble are my legs cant walk very far at all, both knees are painful if i walk, but cant stay indoors forever, has any one tried to get a disable badge,

thank you xx

[jinasc]

Yes, I got it because I could not walk more than two car lengths. Worth applying and remember to put PMR (Auto-immune illness). Currently no cause or cure and any other meds etc.

BTW Your profile is sparse, no date pmr started what you were on - etc. Would be a help if you could fill in a bit of background. Just click on anyone's avatar and you will get the idea.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Quite a few I think..but sometimes it’s for arthritis or other issues

Always worth giving it a try - it’s based on how far you can or cannot walk so when completing form always answer as your worse days.

The only issue may be that with PMR you are expected to improve whereas something like arthritis (are you sure it’s not that as well) it’s more likely to get worse.

There are national guidelines, but it’s local council that approves, so it can be a bit variable. Look at local council webpage -can do it digitally or get paper application.

[MrsNails]

Hi, l did - but think it was my angina that swung it! However, l did explain l had to have my car door open fully to get in/out of the car & as such couldn’t really go out on my own incase l couldn’t open my door fully to get back in!

Explain how much pain you experience & that you really can’t walk very far…..

Good Luck 🍀

[Baner]

I applied for a Blue Badge to my local council this year on 3 March, had a telephone assessment on 4 April and was advised by email on 26 April that assessor said I did not have “considerable” difficulty with mobility and that I therefore did not qualify for the scheme. The word “considerable” was used 5 times in the same sentence, stating that I did not report having considerable difficulty with mobility, pain, discomfort, shortness of breath or fatigue! I don’t have shortness of breath but all the others apply, which I did state in my original application. I have lodged an appeal as I felt the assessor was unsympathetic of the difficulties with mobility that I had experienced since being diagnosed with PMR and I didn’t think she had much understanding of PMR. I did tell her of difficulties getting to hospital appointments on public transport and that our local hospital has no patient parking so being able to park in a nearby street using the Blue Badge would be useful. She suggested I use hospital transport or book a taxi. I said I had experience of hospital transport not being very reliable and would prefer not to use it. She said hospital transport had improved so I should try it. I now have a face to face assessment on June 20th at an venue that is difficult to get to so will be getting a cab. I presume it will be another couple of weeks after before I will hear from them. Hopefully your application will be quicker and successful. Considerable patience is needed!

[Pixix]

Just my experience, & no reflection or criticism or what other people feel, & yes, I’d love to have a blue badge again! I’m not seeking sympathy here, just explaining my situation as I have had the benefit, but don’t qualify right now. Mine was taken away the day after I was out of a couple of long stints in a wheelchair (not PMR related), & I was told if I can walk two car lengths unaided then I don’t qualify! I have polymyalgia, fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis (knees, hips & toes), a benign tumour on my spine & bad tremors in both hands & arms, oh, & I’ve had sciatica for five months now. But I can walk…I do use a stick, but so do lots of elderly people! Amount of pain you are in makes no difference I’ve found..but I no longer go to any shops…everything is delivered..only ones I go to are farm shops at beginning or end of day when quiet, they always have parking near their front door! It’s been 2 and a half years since I’ve been in a supermarket, or other shop. Tbh, my constant pain worsens very quickly when ‘mooching’…slowly round shops is the worst! OH drives me to hospitals, doctors etc, drops me at door, goes & parks. But I count myself lucky as I can walk round our garden & go for short walks in the forest nearby, I can walk round our cottage & do the stairs twice day (not happily, but…) So I agree…I don’t qualify! I’m not fully handicapped. There are only so many parking spaces, & if they ‘lift the level’ at which you can get one then there wouldn’t be enough spaces…imagine if everybody with asthma or COPD & shortness of breath had one, or everybody with PMR or arthritis! I’m not ‘sticking up’ for the system, but the number of handicapped spaces is limited in the UK…& I don’t see PMR ever being classed as a handicapped or disabling disease. I realise others will disagree, I’m not trying to be emotive, just trying to see the ‘other viewpoint’! Im currently undergoing blood tests, urgent x-rays & seeing a new specialist as my GP did an hour long physical assessment last week &believes I am also suffering from hypermobility, & spondylitis (& piriformis syndrome). I’m just greedy right now, collecting diseases like folk collect stamps or coins! (We also have volunteers in our village who drive people to the surgery & hospitals, & taxis, & hospital’s own transport system). But im still allowed to drive, providing its automatic gears, so I'm very lucky! Staying away from shops helps to be Covid free, too, & I really don’t want it!! S x

[S4ndy]

I had a blue badge before I got my PIP. I applied to the council and had an assessment by an OT. She was really good and even made suggestions to help me. I got my Blue Badge. I then got PIP so now that qualifies me anyway.

Pain is a reason for reduced mobility. If you can only walk 50mtrs once then need to rest before going further because of pain before going on. Both pain and fatigue should be taken into account. Fatigue in that the effort of walking takes it out of me and I need to be able to park closer to things.

The key is how you express yourself. I can walk up to 50mtrs with a stick or rollator but cannot do this repetively or reliably without pain. If I walk too much I get tired quickly and so need to be able to park closer.

I would encourage you to get GP letter to submit too. It might cost to get it but if you get the badge it's well worth it. I couldn't manage without mine even though sometimes there are no spaces free but it allows me to park on lines or restricted areas for short time to access things like optician etc.

I think you should at least try for the Badge x

[JanetRosslyn in reply to S4ndy]

I'm sorry to say this but PIP does not automatically qualify you for a disabled parking badge. I'm glad you got yours though

[S4ndy in reply to JanetRosslyn]

I should have said that 8 points or more in the Moving About descriptor on your PIP statement will qualify you for a Blue Badge. So if you awarded either the standard or enhanced mobility part of PIP you would qualify. Sorry if my previous statement was confusing.

[Pixix in reply to JanetRosslyn]

Agree. I have PIP due to other issues, not due to PMR, & it doesn’t qualify you for a Blue Badge!