[ Date Index ] [ Thread Index ] [ <= Previous by date / thread ] [ Next by date / thread => ]
On Thu, 2009-11-26 at 12:56 +0000, Simon Williams wrote: > > AFAIK the wording of the qualification for a Blue Badge is 'Extreme > > difficulty or total inability to walk'. I have Spina Bifida and as a > > permanent wheelchair user fall into the latter category. My issue with > > this is the former 'extreme difficulty'. The number of people I see > get > > out of cars in disabled spaces and walk with no discernible > impediment > > away from the car irritates the hell out of me. I can only assume > that > > GPs operate with a very spurious definition of 'extreme difficulty'. Some people qualify for a badge because their conditions are such that they may have good days and bad days (arthritis perhaps). While I understand your position in that you don't get a good day out of a wheelchair some people do, but claiming they do not deserve a blue badge ON THE DAY THAT YOU SEE THEM is very closed minded. or a lack of thought. You would have no idea of any pain they are suffering despite showing no outward sign of impediment. I say this because it is something my wife and I have fought with many times, the only time people see her out and about are on the good days, still with crutches (permanent user) and very slow movement. They do not see the floods of tears from pain, the 2 weeks stuck in bed unable to move, needing help to the bathroom day and night and to get dressed etc. They do not see the very large amounts of pain medication including reasonable doses of morphine amongst other pain relief taken daily. Some people hold a blue badge and certainly do deserve it despite what you may consider, I hope it was just a lack of thought that prompted your comment rather than a prejudice about "real" disability, disability takes many forms and I will tell you now without qualm that my brother with spina bifida was infinitely better off than the suffering my wife goes through daily and I do not say that lightly. I will however say that if people are able to manage, then the disabled bays SHOULD be left free for those with a need on days where they may not need to use it, but I have long since learnt that despite what it may look like they could very well have a reason for using it. I do think its criminal that an ordinary driver may park in a disabled bay and face nothing more than a normal fixed penalty fine (at worst... supermarkets do nothing at all) however misuse of a blue badge (such as it accidentally remaining on display from a previous day) when the disabled person isn't in the car nets a £1000 fine. </rant> -- John Williams My linux blog of notes and guides http://subbass.blogspot.com/
Attachment:
signature.asc
Description: This is a digitally signed message part
-- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html