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Original poster

Why do people question blue badge holders?

253 replies

TeenLifeMum · 03/06/2025 20:00

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.

OP posts:
LongLiveTheLego · 03/06/2025 21:24

Clemfandango95 · 03/06/2025 20:45

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

Why? If there are no disabled spaces available, or the parent and child spaces are nearer, those who are legally entitled to park in a wider/nearer space should do so.

MrsKeats · 03/06/2025 21:40

Goonie1 · 03/06/2025 21:05

Is this basically benefit fraud?

Show quote history

I think they won’t renew but are using it while it lasts.
But yes basically. And she tells people too 🙄

Seawolves · 03/06/2025 21:54

@TeenLifeMum have you spoken to Macmillan about the BB? On the whole they were bloody useless when DH was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer but the one thing they did do was organise his BB.

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General health
overwork · 03/06/2025 22:06

My brother lost his legs in an accident. He quite often gets tuts / glares and comments for using his badge and parking in the disabled spaces. I guess he’s ‘too young’ to be disabled, despite the fact that he visibly is??

Amelie2025 · 03/06/2025 22:07

Clemfandango95 · 03/06/2025 20:45

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

Why would you do that??

Amelie2025 · 03/06/2025 22:15

overwork · 03/06/2025 22:06

My brother lost his legs in an accident. He quite often gets tuts / glares and comments for using his badge and parking in the disabled spaces. I guess he’s ‘too young’ to be disabled, despite the fact that he visibly is??

Your poor brother 😢

Is that when he's still in the vehicle? If it's when he's out of it, it beggars belief how he could 'look' more like he's entitled to use it.

Original poster
TeenLifeMum · 03/06/2025 22:29

Seawolves · 03/06/2025 21:54

@TeenLifeMum have you spoken to Macmillan about the BB? On the whole they were bloody useless when DH was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer but the one thing they did do was organise his BB.

Mum isn’t great at accepting help but the main issue is needing an interview. Df provided all medical details including his treatment schedule but they keep sending meeting times that clash with the schedule. I’m assuming it won’t be an issue once he has the interview but I don’t see what speaking to him will achieve above doctor’s notes.

OP posts:
Whatsgoingonherethenagain · 03/06/2025 22:35

taxguru · 03/06/2025 20:17

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.

Yep an aquaintance used to use her mum’s even when the mum wasn’t with her. Then continued to use it after she died.

but then she also used parent and child spaces until her kids were at uni. She had a child with her 🙄

CharlotteFlax · 03/06/2025 22:39

The McMillan nurses sorted DH's blue badge out without us having to do anything, so I'm shocked your mum has to go for interviews even with supporting letters!
DH looks pretty "well" and is itching to be questioned on his blue badge use, but it hasn't happened yet (18 months so far).

MoistVonL · 03/06/2025 22:40

People question them because they are twats. Oblivious, ill-informed, narrow minded twats. The sort of eejits who think only a wheelchair or a white stick is a valid disability.

If someone has satisfied the council and all the tedious hoops they need to jump through that they are eligible for a Blue Badge, Joe Public can wind his bloody neck in and and let them be.

ButterCrackers · 03/06/2025 22:43

It’s often because the questioning person couldn’t find parking next to the shop or entrance and then they see someone parked in the blue badge space and they feel enraged by this. It’s stupid

GreatTheCat · 03/06/2025 22:45

I've never had any comments about using a blue badge.

overwork · 04/06/2025 08:03

@Amelie2025he does drive a (modified) sports car, so yes I imagine when he pulls up he probably doesn’t fit people image of what disabled ‘should’ look like (whatever that is). I don’t think it bothers him too much as he knows he simply can’t walk far, he uses the spaces because for him, they’re essential.

PearlsPearl · 04/06/2025 08:09

dizzydizzydizzy · 03/06/2025 20:26

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.

I've had mine for years with a totally invisible illness and have never been questioned. I am just a young woman so I've expected it but never had it.

I've always had an answer ready in my mind which helps me to be prepared: sorry, I don't share my medical information with strangers, not all disabilities are visible.

bigbreakfastclub · 04/06/2025 08:12

I would never challenge someone in a disabled space but it’s so frustrating when you see a work van with guys inside eating their lunch.
or big cars just taking a disabled space so they have more parking room.😡

Renabrook · 04/06/2025 08:12

I presume people think thry could be lent to people to get around the rules so a person using one may be friend borrowing it type thing without the person needing it in the car

No they shouldn't question a genuine case of having one

StupidTrolleyThing · 04/06/2025 08:19

I once reminded a someone to put their BB up on the dash board as they'd parked in a disabled space without one.

She went ballistic at me.

She didn't have a BB

Koalafan · 04/06/2025 08:20

Some people do abuse the blue badge system and/or some people feel more entitled or 'more disabled'.

Sunnyday321 · 04/06/2025 08:23

Both my dh and I have one for our own disabilities .And yes if we turn up at a supermarket and all the disabled ( often 3 or 4 ) places are being used , yes we will park and display a badge at the nearest to the shops door , child space , and have no qualms at doing so as there are always vacant spaces .

Nightshadesdown · 04/06/2025 08:25

People think you are committing fraud if not visibility disabled - because the reality is a lot of people are.

Dbank · 04/06/2025 08:26

Because the Blue Badge system is wide open to abuse and virtually impossible to enforce.

Can anyone suggest a better way it could be implemented?

x2boys · 04/06/2025 08:26

Clemfandango95 · 03/06/2025 20:45

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

They are allowed to HTH.

Middleagedstriker · 04/06/2025 08:27

Clemfandango95 · 03/06/2025 20:45

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

God that's embarrassing.

Parker231 · 04/06/2025 08:31

Clemfandango95 · 03/06/2025 20:45

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

Why - blue badge holders need the parking space, for mothers and babies is not essential and imo should be moved to the far edges of the car park

ButterCrackers · 04/06/2025 08:35

Sunnyday321 · 04/06/2025 08:23

Both my dh and I have one for our own disabilities .And yes if we turn up at a supermarket and all the disabled ( often 3 or 4 ) places are being used , yes we will park and display a badge at the nearest to the shops door , child space , and have no qualms at doing so as there are always vacant spaces .

Absolutely. You can park here without your blue badge but it’s informative to the haters to display your badge. Parent and child should all be blue badge imho.