Just because you're old DOESNT entitle you to park in a Disabled space...

[Brewbees]

I'm seething at this, have been noticing it the last month or so. It's the same at supermarkets, doctors, hospital, dentist. I see old(er) people with no chair, frame, stick get out of their car and walk at full speed into said place. Meanwhile there are disabled people, including old(er) disabled people, who cannot get a spot to park and are left hanging on for someone to leave.

NOTE: I'm not being ageist - old(er) disabled people should be parking in disabled bays, just not able-bodied.

AIBU to think non-disabled, including old(er) people have no right parking in these bays and therefore making life more difficult for people who genuinely need these spaces?

Yanbu
Conversely just because you look young & abled doesn’t mean you don’t have a qualifying disability. I may appear spritely but I was officially assessed by a physiotherapist & a social worker upon application for a blue badge as needing a blue badge. I had to provide all manner of medical information and consultants contact details to get one!

If people knew how hard it is to actually get a blue badge maybe they’d stop shouting at me across busy car parks and embarrassing my kids in the process.

ohtheholidays I’m very sorry you lost your dad recently, he sounds like he was a really great. I miss my dad as well.

All disabled people should wear a t-shirt stating exactly what disability they have. Just in case it isn't visible enough for parky beakys.

Falling arse over tit whilst hobbling into shop to prove your disability won't fool me. I need hard evidence. Maybe one of those tests where you hop on 1 foot to see how steady you can be.

Alternatively though I suppose I could stop faffing, park up go get my shopping then fuck off home where it's to be hoped I have at least some semblance of a life.

I might kick an oldie on the way, just for the hell of it.

You do realise that some folks have invisible disabilities right? I have one. If you saw me parking in a space do you think you'd be within your rights to rant at me for it? I'm not old, but when I am, I'd park in one of those spaces.

MistressDeeCee

LMFAO

I've seen people without a bb park in the bb space without one but it is no more likely to be older than younger doing this so no need for the older people bashing.
Not having sticks etc isn't relevant.

People do abuse the disabled spots. some people just park there as they are selfish and some because they are carers, have a blue badge but use it whether the person it's issued for is with them or not. What happens is that genuine users that appear able bodied get it in the neck sometimes. I work in a medical centre and see it most weeks.

I see peopled all ages apparently abusing the system.

i think it is wrong to single out the elderly, when this is actually done by all age groups.

Then again, this is MN where the ageism is astounding.

Abuse of priority parking spaces + ageism - BINGO

*oliveinacampervan so 20/35 don't disabilities then?
I've been disabled since my 20's, and I don't walk with any aid.
Guess I don't have anything wrong with me, thanks! That's good to know!

I get high rate mobility yet don't walk with any aid. Nice to know I would get judged

Well my Dad can't walk 50ft let alone 200ft or walk quickly. I have not been able to get him a disabled badge. If anyone needs one it's him. I have no idea what these people do to get one. If anyone can share would be most thankful.

Just keep asking. It took me 3 years to get one despite the fact that I cannot walk more than about 15ft even with walking aids. I just kept applying and last year I was finally given one even though I wasn’t claiming any benefits.

Before that I was unable to go anywhere that required me to walk, my life was severely restricted. However I did go to the supermarket and I parked in the disabled spots if one was free. No-one ever challenged me.

Blue badges are not easy to come by and there are very many people who need them but can’t get one.

What a goady thread.

How is this helping anyone?

You’d love me. I park in parent and child spaces when I have no child with me.

Do you think we could combine this with Mornington Cressent.

My turn I'll take a sideways branch into heart disease.

Back to reality, in a previous life I used to put people wired up to an ECG on a treadmill. Some of these people would have a blue badge, They apear to have no disability and can start walking normally and get up to a brisk [ace, but their ECG is telling me not enough oxygen is getting to their heart and their symptoms are telling them the same.

I have had a blue badge since my early 30s and yes I have had abuse.

(I have disabilities but no blue badge. The parent and child spaces are closer to the shop. I can’t walk without severe pain some days. Other days, I’m good and I don’t need to use the space so I don’t. But if you look at me you’d see no disabilities. Maybe I need one of them t-shirts)

The disabled parking spaces in my local supermarket are used 2/3rds of the time by people in posh cars (and no blue badge), who seem to want the extra space to open their doors without them being scratched. It really winds me up (to the point that I take to Twitter).

My son has trouble walking. We have started the dlp and blue badge process . At present I use the parent and baby spot for him as they are close to the shop and he has trouble getting in and put the car. I'm just waiting to be challenged!

I had a so called friend post a rant on Facebook about an older lady (why is it always older ladies) giving her a dirty look as she got out of her car and how this lady didn’t look disabled and so called friend has baby and needs the space.

I did point out that not all disabilities are visible and that the lady might be fed up getting challenged and that she could park to the rear of the Car park an push her baby in the pram and that her “baby”is over 2 and has no SN and can walk. She took the post down.

You can be disabled and not qualify for a blue badge which is why most places with disabled parkingnwill not take action if you complain - that elderly person you see walking ‘full pelt’ might have Cancer / undergoing chemo and the next visit might need a wheelchair to even get out of the car. Similarly people on crutches will always be permitted to use the disabled space at surgeries and hospitals because they run the risk of being hit by a car if not.

Op....dont judge someone in seconds. I remember visiting a home patient who ran to open the door then spent 30 minutes struggling to breath. You getting a snapshot. People can have bad or good days. Ive a young friend on a bad day is wheelchair bound (sadly getting more regular) on a good day can walk her children to school. (Ms)

You don't necessarily need PIP or any other disability benefits to get a blue badge.
If you answer no to the essential questions just answer the questions honestly in part two. You should be able to apply online through your county council.
Don't google BB and select the first result, often with "Ad" to the side of it. Doing it through that method will cost you upwards of £50. Done properly through your authority will cost you £10 for three years.
To the PP whose dad can't walk 50 feet, that is one of the first questions asked on the none essential questions. If, like me, you struggle with feet and metres, 10 metres is roughly the length of a double decker bus.
I hope that info is useful for someone.

I see this all the time, especially parking in mum and baby spaces.

Which don't legally have to be provided. Disabled bays do.

HTH

"why is it always older ladies"

The double whammy of ageism and sexism.

It's a form of confirmation bias of stereotypes - nasty old ladies - when actually inconvenient, unfriendly or downright hostile conduct isn't the preserve of one age or sex.

If it tips into criminal however (including road offences) then it would be fair comment to follow the actual data and disparage young men.

Where I live there is Senior Parking right alongside Disabled Parking snd everyone is fine with it.