Why do people question blue badge holders?

[TeenLifeMum]

I’ve seen comments over the years about people being challenged for not looking disabled. But they’re not easy to get - in fact they seem ridiculously challenging and dad might be dead by the time he bloody gets one. Medical records and consultant’s letter isn’t enough, he needs an interview… but they keep arranging the interview for when he’s having cancer treatment (every day so I appreciate it’s hard to schedule).

Just needed to vent.

No idea why, annoyed they’re not entitled to one and can’t park for free/closer themselves? Whilst totally ignoring the fact that people with disabilities need to park closer and may be unable to earn.🙄
Late DH was frequently challenged. Of course when he strapped the O2 tank to his back they soon got flustered & walked away.

You’re not wrong OP, they are hard to get. I applied for my DH and was turned down. Armed with the same information, consultant’s letters etc. a McMillan nurse applied on his behalf and he received the Blue Badge. Maybe someone similar could help you.

Yeah I got out the car n got harangued by an old couple ‘you don’t look disabled’. ‘They’re old people spots’ etc. i agreed with them. Got my severely disabled relative out of the car which soon shut them up.

in answer to your question I have no idea but I really think it needs to stop. I’m sick of it. I wonder whether it’s cos they’re seen as weaker and more vulnerable than them so ok to have a go at. I also think it’s getting something they aren’t so envy perhaps?

I think it's more about people wrongly "borrowing" the blue badge of a relative to abuse the free parking, etc by using the blue badge when the person named isn't actually in the car.

DS has had one for 3 or 4 years and we be never been questioned. He has an invisible disability so I was expecting comments but none so far.

Because they think being disabled means you’re in a wheelchair or on crutches. People don’t understand hidden disabilities

This. And this is exactly what 1 sibling of mine did and I got very annoyed that they were doing it. The response I got from them was why should they have to pay to park? It was a dickhead reply from them, but then, I shouldn’t expect anything more than a dickhead response from them. Anyway, I think PP is right and that’s why.

In terms of getting one, I think my mum got help to get one when she had cancer, I’m thinking the McMillan people may have helped her, so might be worth you asking them to help things along? It’s not right that people who need them have to jump through so many hoops when dealing with illnesses like cancer. Hope you get sorted OP x

Because a sizable proportion of the public think that disabled people are soft targets, and that they will be cowed by any criticism. Plus successive governments have actively encouraged demonisation of disabled people,so these arse holes feel justified. 'Its the government what told me to do it,init?'. Also,so many people's idea of what a disabled person looks like is wrong. In their opinion,you should be in a wheelchair,or at least on crutches. Invisible disabilities don't exist in their minds.

Because they are bullies who think people with ♿️ badges are an easy target to boost their own egos. The pearl clutching is off the scale if I use a ♿️ space as a legitimate holder (‘hidden’ disability) and then get my daughter out her car seat and into her pram (with great difficulty!)

I have one. I look like a normal fit and healthy person. I've only just got it so not used it yet but I am worried about this happening.

@Goonie1

It’s not right that people who need them have to jump through so many hoops when dealing with illnesses like cancer.

Personally I think that someone diagnosed with cancer should have an automatic right to a BB, simply by providing proof of the diagnosis from the oncology dept with no further inquisitions as to how it affects the sufferer. They're suffering enough with all the tests, chemotherapy/radiotherapy, multiple hospital and doctor appointments and really can do without the stress of finding parking spaces close enough.

Because they are thick and ignorant, so they probably a) don't understand that not all disabilities are visible and b) don't realise that they will achieve nothing by challenging the person, even in the unlikely event their suspicion is correct.

My husband has had one for about 35 years, he's been challenged once so I guess he looks disabled.

I used to work with a police officer who admitted he was using his late MILs blue badge so although hard to get it isn't always the right person using them.

I’ve never known anyone in real life to be challenged by some random person on it, I’m surprised it does happen.

These clowns who think they can question someone need put in their place. I think if it were me, I’d laugh at them and tell them if they think I’m committing an offence, they should call the police. Let the cops attend (they won’t) and make the idiot look like a fool.

Nobody (the BB holders) should be giving any info, showing the photo part of their badge or explaining themselves to these nosy bastards.

In my area (London) there is a lot of fraud: fake badges, trade in stolen badges, misusing badges in the names of disabled family members. It's quite a problem for our local council.

This is what I think. My parents were both diagnosed with cancer a week apart. Both have enough to deal with and now have to fight the system. Df’s cancer is not end of life but not curable, means he cannot drive himself. He has stage 4 lung cancer and a brain tumour. Can’t walk far due toto lung cancer, is exhausted due to daily treatment, how will an interview add to the information they already have? He’s basically not able to go out anywhere in case they can’t park close. I understand sometimes people take the piss but this feels like a no brainer to me.

I only question them when they park in the mother & baby spaces.

Why would you question them? Blue badges can park in mother and baby in most policies.

I completely agree with you! I don’t think my mum had too much trouble getting one when she had cancer so was surprised reading the post that this is the situation in this instance.

This is definitely a problem. I know someone who uses the badge of a dead relative. Wrong I think.

I’ve not had a comment yet. Dh hates parking in them though . If he sees a spot close by he will park there. I’ve tried to explain it’s not just about closeness it’s having the space to get out the car too.

I remember someone bragging about using their father's blue badge, the father had lost a leg so fair enough. The son used the car and if anyone looked annoyed started walking with a limp. He thought it was really funny.

I have a bb and park in p and c spaces if they're closer.

Is this basically benefit fraud?

I agree. My aunt has one because she's disabled. She and my able-bodied cousin share a car and my cousin parks in blue badge spaces when she's alone, including the free ones in the hospital car park. She can't see she's in the wrong (or she pretends she can't). I think it's awful.