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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to refuse to pay?

73 replies

BeeBawBabbity · 09/03/2012 14:58

My Mum had a total knee replacement a few weeks ago. She's only just started to get back on her feet, but can only walk a short distance with a stick. She needed some shopping so I took her to tesco and parked in a disabled bay, and got the wheelchair for her. When we came out I had a £40 fine.

I found the parking guy and explained, but he said no blue badge no park, end of story. I feel quite strongly that I was not ABUSING the parking space. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:

RhinosDontEatPancakes · 09/03/2012 22:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

undercoverPrincess · 09/03/2012 22:52

I know mums that regularly park in disabled if there are no parent spaces I don't agree with this.

redspottedfrog · 09/03/2012 22:56

OP I'm glad that the general consensus is that the fine isn't enforcable. BUT people do need to understand that the disabled spaces are for those with blue badge only. So if you park in one in an area where a fine is enforcable then you will get fined, even if you are on crutches / have just had surgery etc.

Also, in the area I work in BB's are not given out on grounds of age, as someone has mentioned, but on how far you can (or can't) walk. The poor rehab assistants who do the assessments get regularly abused by those who feel they have the right to a badge but aren't eligible.

OP I hope you mum recovers soon. Is she having community physio?

2shoes · 09/03/2012 22:58

I am sorry but anyone who doesn't have a BB and parks in a disabled bay is abusing it.
I feel for the op, but if anyone could park there, then what about the life long disabled, of the very sick, no spaces.

DaisyAndConfused · 09/03/2012 23:01

I'm not saying that people don't ever abuse disabled parking bays but neither should anyone judge whether someone is actually disabled or not simply by seeing them walk a few metres to and from the supermarket.

Physical and other disabilities are not always evident to the casual observer.

Catsdontcare · 09/03/2012 23:07

"Disabled spaces are not just for people who can't"

The mind really does boggle. Really is that where we're at in society these days a woman can barely walk but we begrudge her a parking space because she hasn't got a bit of paper. Really? I mean really?

Catsdontcare · 09/03/2012 23:07

can't walk

thenightsky · 09/03/2012 23:07

Ignore the ticket. If it's not council then it's not enforceable and is merely an invoice for use of the space. If it gets to court, they will have to prove that they lost £40 worth of business by you taking that space, which will be impossible.

abbierhodes · 09/03/2012 23:16

What catsdontcare said.

OP, don't pay it.

zeeboo · 09/03/2012 23:16

When I was in a wheelchair Dh just went to the customer services desk and asked permission to use a disabled spot with me. They were totally ok with it and took ousolar registration and passed it to their security so that we wouldn't get a ticket.
I'd not dream of using a space I wasn't entitled to use without even asking. That's just plain arrogant.

valiumredhead · 10/03/2012 11:03

ming The point is the OP could've dropped her mum at the main entrance and then gone and parked up. Not something you can do if you are on your own, and sometimes you can't get a close enough space to the main entrance.

LadyBeagleEyes · 10/03/2012 11:08

What catsdontcare said.

valiumredhead · 10/03/2012 11:13

Clearly we do cats when people like the OP abuse the parking spaces.

BillyBollyBandy · 10/03/2012 11:17

So the OP is guilty of parking spot abuse as well as being plain arrogant?

There I was thinking she was trying to help her temporarily disabled mother with the shopping. My mistake.

Debsbear · 10/03/2012 11:20

Am I the only one who thinks that temporary disabled badges shoudl be issued after an operation of this kind. My mother had a knee replacement and really struggled to get in and out of a car, let alone when it was jammed in a normal parking space. If hospitals issued a temporary card, valid for 8 weeks, it would make life so much easier

lurkerspeaks · 10/03/2012 11:24

Is your Mum OK? My dad had bilateral knees done 2 years ago. He had to be able to walk a certain distance and handle stairs before discharge from hospital and for the only time in his life he requested daily trips to the local shopping centre. This was because it was a flat, smooth, fairly warm place for him to march up and down and practice his walking. Pushing a trolley was even better as it provided a degree of balance.

He would have refused to use a disabled parking space were it not for the fact that my Mother needs you to park close to the door as she can barely manage to get from the car to Starbucks (next to the door) and only disabled people (which she isn't obviously!) use wheelchairs. The blue badge is hers.

Groovee · 10/03/2012 11:34

You need a blue badge to use the disabled spaces, so your fine was justified. But if it's a private car park, they can't enforce the fine the way a council can.

youarekidding · 10/03/2012 11:37

ShellyBoobs I've reported your post - that was a personal attack IMO.

BeeBaw Sorry to hear your mum is still bad after her surgery and YANBU not to pay the fine. However, the disabled spaces are for people with blue badges and people get BB for genuine reasons IME. I understand why you parked there and thought it would be OK and I'm sure many others in your situation would too. You have been given some great advice re alternatives to park here and would suggest you use one in future. I certainly wouldn't mind you parking in P&T space with wider access to get your mum and and then move the car. P&T spaces didn't exist when DS was a baby and I managed with him in a 3 door car so I'm sure other parents will manage.

LadyBeagleEyes · 10/03/2012 11:43

I agree Billybolly.
This has become a competitive disabled thread.
I don't drive so don't have a blue badge, though my mother can't go out without a wheelchair.
I agree that maybe an 8 week 'pass' for people who are temporarily disabled should be issued.

2shoes · 10/03/2012 11:47

tbh I don't see the problem with posting that if you don't have a BB you will be fined and should pay.
the op asked if she was BU about not paying, she broke the rules so should pay, nothing competitive about posting that

hermionestranger · 10/03/2012 11:50

I would also ask if your mum is ok? My mum had her knee done a couple f weeks ago and she wasn't allowed home until she could walk and do stairs.

She applied for a temporary badge from the council and was refused. Same as when I had SPD. At least I know if we go to somewhere like thevtrafford centre they have a very sensible scheme whereby you can borrow a space so to speak, just so long as you go through the shop mobility people.

BellaVita · 10/03/2012 11:57

hermione, yes same with my mum - I think it was something like 10 stairs she had to climb before being allowed home.

ShellyBoobs · 11/03/2012 18:09

ShellyBoobs I've reported your post - that was a personal attack IMO.

Yes, you're right, it was harsh and indeed I will understand why if it's deleted.

You don't get extra MN points for posting to say you've reported it, though.

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