Woman shouted at me for parking in a disabled spot

Honestly next time just say “Yes, and?”. And if they say “It’s for wheelchairs” say “No it isn’t”. Few words as possible and watch them make a fool of themselves.

I wouldn’t have even justified myself OP.

I have a badge for DS and when people say “Excuse me that’s a disabled space” I always say “Ah well done you! Before you know it you’ll be counting to 10!” In the most patronising tone I can. Fucks me right off (invisible disability here also) and makes DS giggle.

I understand that. I think the issues are because there is a lack of spaces. That is caused by people who do not have badges parking in disabled spaces, but also by the widening of the criteria for a Blue Badge without any increase in spaces.

I’m seriously considering buying some of those stickers saying ‘disabled spot only!’. Those with strong glue that are hard to remove….

Well they sound ill-informed, as do you.

Do you really think a person isn't disabled if they can walk?

The OP was displaying her blue badge. And it wouldn't have made the slightest difference if she did 'hop out of the car and jog happily into the shops' because not every disability is visible or obvious.

Really??? 🙄

Yes, I can appreciate that. I was a disability outreach worker for many years - didn’t come across epilepsy as a stand alone condition very often, but when I did, generally for disability benefit and concessions such as blue badge, etc, the safety factor is always taken into account and generally consideration is given to how often and how severe the seizures are and whether medication adequately controls them. I think, as with some other conditions, they err on the side of caution.

Possibly the most ignorant and offensive post here. Can’t even be arsed trying to address any of it.

Christ almighty

GP’s do need to do this to certify that in their opinion there is a medical need. But as with any concession based on medical evidence, the LA may not necessarily agree if the applicant fails to meet the criteria.

Many LA’s initially use the same form for application for the blue badge, but the eligibility criteria are not the same as that for a bus pass, so applicants specifically applying for the blue badge are usually sent a more detailed form and/or asked to attend a face to face interview unless it can be determined from medical evidence or initial information that they would qualify, or alternatively if they are claiming a qualifying disability benefit.

I think in your DD’s case a blue badge would be offered because of the nature of the disability and the risk factors involved. Interestingly up until recently LA’s used to accept a blue badge as sufficient evidence of disability when applying for a disabled persons travel pass but for reasons best known to themselves, they no longer allow this.

@Rosscameasdoody But if you are walking on pavements and at crossings, it is no more dangerous than having a fit inside a public building. Most Blue Badge spaces are outside a venue, but they are not that much closer than a general car park space.

Omg how awful. So sorry your sister experienced this. I used to get this many years ago,as, despite using a walking stick,apparently,I 'looked too young to be disabled'. Thankfully,now I'm 61,it doesn't happen any more.

But she has a bus pass ? I mean nobody is forcing you to take a BB but you didn't have to refuse it because "she walks just fine",

The bar doesn’t vary for blue badge issue. The rules are set by central government and councils in England are only permitted to make minor changes because the rules are designed to be consistent across the country. Your DD will have been offered those concessions because epilepsy can present as a danger in areas where there is traffic volume. And blue badges aren’t offered automatically with anything else. They are a stand alone concession - qualifying for a disabled bus pass won’t necessarily qualify you for a blue badge because they have different eligibility criteria. Your DD would have had to make a stand alone application for a blue badge.

@Rosscameasdoody

Actually my DD's gp does sign the medical need section of the form you take to the council. For her it's the bus pass we accept as she's unable to drive (epilepsy) but the council offers blue badges from the same form (we didn't accept it because she can walk just fine)

Of course it’s not a scam, what an ignorant thing to say. The ability to walk isn’t a factor in many disabilities - and it’s by no means only wheelchair users who need these spaces. Even when it is, it’s not just the distance covered that’s taken into account, it depends on a lot of things. Or is it that you think disabled people shouldn’t be attending concerts or generally taking part in society ? That’s what disability benefits and blue badges are designed to enable them to do. Or has your unconscious bias blinded you to that fact ?

@Inabitofbother

I think the bar to get them does vary. My dd was offered one (or rather I was offered one as dd is forbidden from driving as she's epileptic) when we were collecting her disabled bus pass, the lady at the council was surprised when I turned it down, my dd doesn't have any mobility issues unless she's having a seizure, and her kind of seizure aren't the kind that parking spaces make any difference. According to the council lady the blue badge is offered with a disability bus pass automatically at that council. Not being able to drive for medical reasons is separate to your ability to walk to the supermarket, some people need both but not all. I couldn't with good conscience take it

You don't need to be in a wheelchair to used disabled spaces though. A lot of people get permits/BB to use those spaces and do not use wheelchairs.

Blue badges are not given out by doctors. The disabled person has to apply to the issuing local authority and the criteria are stringent. The decision to issue a badge isn’t dependent on the applicants’ GP or any other doctor. It’s dependent on whether the medical evidence presented supports the fact that the applicant satisfies the conditions for issue of a badge. And that decision is down to the local authority.

On your point about the disabled bay - it may be outside your brothers’ house but if it’s on street it isn’t for his exclusive use. Anyone with a valid badge can park in it. And it might interest you to know that blue badges aren’t just issued for walking disabilities - they can be issued for any number of conditions where walking would exacerbate them. Heart conditions for example. Mental health disabilities where there is no appreciation of danger, epilepsy and other seizure based disabilities. Too many to list here. So the criteria for how far someone can walk doesn’t always apply - and even when it does it’s not just the distance covered, it’s’ the manner in which someone walks, how long it takes, how much help they need, whether it causes them pain, and many other considerations.

If someone has a valid badge then they have been awarded it by someone far more qualified than you to judge whether they qualify for it, and they can legally use that or any other disabled space. To call people you know nothing about chancers and piss takers is fairly disgusting and shows a lack of critical thinking.

I honestly can’t count how many times I have had abuse for parking in a disabled bay, my Mum is disabled so I get out first and then go to get her door and people see me and just go off on one. It’s always been other people with blue badges who want the space, their attitude has always been terrible.

Had the same shite once being parked in a parent and child space, sat in the car (massively 9 months pregnant with a huge toddler car seat in the back) while DH took our toddler DS in to get new shoes. Parking brings out the wanker in everyone.

Erm, do you think it's easy to get a blue badge?! We had to provide a ridiculous amount of evidence for my child's blue badge.

You did just comment on it though.

Anyone who can walk 20 mins to a concert venue, spend hours there, and walk back to their car, should not be taking disabled spaces from people who are genuinely disabled. That's a scam.

I have spoken to many wheelchair users who say the system is abused.

Australia

I don't know you, or your condition Tigerrag, so I'm not going to discuss your difficulty.

I'm talking about people who are able bodied, can obviously walk unaided, who feel no guilt in taking a space from a genuinely disabled person.

Where I'm from, you get your car for cheaper, and tax back on petrol if you have a wheelchair card. Obviously the system will get scammed.