Blue badge - am I being too literal?

[Gizmosmum]

I'll just preface this by saying that I have a child with some disabilities that affect her mobility. I've not applied for a BB because I don't think she'd reliably meet the criteria, though we do normally park in P&C spaces/the closest we can get/get my husband to drop us off and he parks and joins us.

I'm wondering though if I'm being too literal about the criteria. Putting aside for now those in a wheelchair, the mobility criteria seems to be that the person can walk less than 50m or that it's difficult or impossible to walk. Obviously it's a bit more nuanced than that, but that seems to be a summary.

But take a large supermarket for example, some of the BB parking spaces themselves are more than 50m from the entrance, and my Tesco (looking at Google maps) some of the BB spaces are 100m away and the store is about 100x50m. Even in a local co-op, you'd walk more than 50m from the entrance, down the aisles, paying and then back to the exit, even if parked right outside.

So in my mind, if mobility is tricky enough to satisfy the BB criteria, that Tesco store would probably be impossible anyway. I'm clearly missing something here though.

In lots of places, the BB spaces are further from the 'venue' then the criteria for a BB would allow.

We recently got an access card for my child, and she got the <50m symbol awarded, but I feel awkward about that. She has issues with fatigue and balance as a result of a serious medical condition, and whilst often can run around a park with friends, has a back up pushchair for when she's tired, needs to be carried a lot etc. There are times I carry her to the toilet because she's too tired, and definitely times when 50m is insurmountable.

Maybe I'm being too literal in my interpretation? Perhaps I should apply for one for her? I don't know.

Get the BB OP.
Life is hard enough for people with disabilities and their carers. If the BB opens up your lives a bit then take it with both hands.

I get it @Gizmosmum. I totally understand your comments about literal interpretation versus reality.

I think you should just apply as factually as you can, but be clear if your child will sometimes struggle with a distance or needs a lot of assistance (different from a normal 6yo). If having a BB would really help your daughter, don’t feel bad about applying.

I would apply - even if there are times she may not need it, at other times she definitely does. You don't have to use it if she's having a good day but it would be useful to have as an option.

You're overthinking it! Apply as soon as you can!
With a blue badge you can also use mother and baby spaces, and park on double yellow lines if needed. My husband would be lost without his badge!

Thank you. We get medium care, low rate mobility, or did anyway, we were late renewing so need to get our butts in gear and get that sorted again.

I've heard that it's potluck based on the council. I'm not sure I have the energy to deal with a yet another fight right now, but could put it in the same time as the DLA renewal as much of the evidence will be the same.

I wonder if we'll be in that middle ground, where mobility difficulties are factored into every outing we make, but still not quite significant enough for a BB.

To give another point of view. As someone who doesn’t have and doesn’t need a BB, I literally never look at anyone who is using one and think “they’re taking the piss”.
I am glad for those that use them that such a scheme exists and grateful I don’t have any issues that mean I need to use one.
In other words, get the badge if it will make your/your daughter’s life easier. Anyone who begrudges you that is an idiot.

My dd has a blue badge. She, as others has Pots. In her case it wasn’t about how far she could walk but the possibility of her passing out in a dangerous situation.
Blue badges are frequently awarded to children with ADHD and Autism, again it’s a safety mechanism.

Trolleys are extremely helpful for people who struggle to walk far, they're like giant zimmer frames on wheels. Also, not everybody wants to go to the far end of the supermarket. I had a horrible medical issue which meant my balance was off and I got exhausted very quickly. It took me nearly 3 years to get to the far end of the supermarket using a trolley, over a decade later I still don't regularly feel I could do it unaided. Until I could get that far, I would just go into the first couple of aisles as I only wanted fresh fruit and veg. (My farthest aisle is wine, so that helped with the motivation to get there!) I rarely use the disabled bays as they aren't the closest, and I prefer to leave them for people in wheelchairs who need the extra room. I've become very talented at spotting spaces in the lane closest to the entrance.

And of course supermarkets are only one place where you might use your badge, in most carparks disabled bays are the closest spaces.

Yes that's where we sat for a while, somewhere in the middle, which is why it was a battle. Some councils actually have a heart, so I'd still apply. You may find it's not too bad where you live 🤞🏻

The BB is the one thing that's made a really big difference to her life.

I think what the poster is trying to say is that just because someone else is more disabled doesn’t mean you don’t deserve or are entitled to a bb. Playing in a park is essential for a child’s well being and if she can only play there because you’ve driven and parked near the entrance then you would benefit from a blue badge, even if it’s not every single time you go to the park.

Im sorry to say that you will get funny looks, probably even questioned by others. Square your shoulders, look them in the eyes and tell them it’s one of their damn business.

I think that once you’ve used it once or twice, you’ll realise how much you need it.

It's not just based on how far you can walk, i carry oxygen and i need to park close to get to it quickly or for someone else to get it for me.
The criteria is quite balanced and flexible for each individual circumstance.

I work with a young man who can walk a reasonable amount but due to birth injury is unstable and has no danger awareness
Also the spaces are usually bigger so we need it to be able to get him out the car and into his chair

Your logic is faulty. One of the reasons that BB spaces are there is to enable people who can't walk far to get out of their cars with their often bulky mobility aids. Once they're using the aid they may very well be able to cover more than 50 m.

Honestly, @Gizmosmum - you are going to get lots of replies on here about other reasons for needing a BB. I think the advice that is helpful for you here is clear - apply and try to think about it in terms of “on a bad day” and all the adjustments and changes/ adjustments you have to make, which may be second nature. Imagine you were giving a brand new childminder or relative advice about how to help your child - eg would you advise against too much walking as her needs are unpredictable?

When DW applied for her BB she was advised by Social Services to consider the question this way: "Can you walk 50m at any time, without notice and guarantee that you will be able to make the distance every time?"

If the answer to that question is "No" then you merit consideration for a BB.

As for supermarket parking bays being more than 50m away, she transfers to a wheelchair.

I think you are overthinking this OP.

I’m no expert but I would have thought part of the point of disabled spaces is that they are wider so a person who can’t walk the distance from them to the shop can be helped into a wheel chair. After all, even if they are closer than 50m you’d still need to walk round the shop, no?

PIP is for 16+

@Ti7ch thanks, DS transferred to it but was well over 16 and DH was over 60!

i strongly recommend that you apply for it.
I have one because I have limited mobility & am often in pain when I walk.
If I’m having a (rare) good day then I don’t take a BB space if I don’t need it. On a bad day, I do need it so it’s a blessing.
Additionally, it unlocks a few benefits - which is nice as there is enough cr*p to deal with simply because I’m permanently ill & can’t walk much. Think free parking in a few places, parking on some roads where you wouldn’t otherwise be able to. Also when you complete other forms (Govt & other) I find you’re taken more seriously if you tick the Blue Badge box.
Its worth a try, because (a) you need it and (b) it helps!

Apply and use it when it is helpful to do so. Your days of being able to carry her any kind of distance will be limited so you will need it.