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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what disability a person could have

378 replies

Margomyhero · 13/03/2018 17:22

to park outside the gym and run 30 minutes on the treadmill?

I am genuinely curious about this one.

I got out of my car and parked in a car park near the leisure centre. It's a LOT cheaper than the car park in the leisure centre grounds. As I locked up and headed towards the leisure centre I saw a young man park in the disabled space and get out and go the same way as me.

He went on the treadmill and ran for 30 minutes. I know that as I was doing the same.

So - before I judge him unfairly what disability which warrants a blue badge could this man have which would allow him to run for 30 minutes - after sprinting up the 2 flights of stairs to get there?

Was he a genuine recipient of disabled space parking or was he just avoiding paying the charge (which by the way is 5p for the first hour ).

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
dadshere · 13/03/2018 18:01

The bkue badge system is broken. Many people who do not need/deserve a badge have one, equally I know of people who do need one and are denied for bizarre reasons. My next door but one neighbour is elderly and struggles to walk at all. She is able to walk, very short distances, very slowly. For some reason she was denied a badge.

MyFavouritePlace · 13/03/2018 18:02

Or he could be using someone else's car (and badge)!

Sockwomble · 13/03/2018 18:03

Councils can also issue discretionary blue badges which may be given for non standard reasons as long as you can argue well enough that you need one.

Submariner · 13/03/2018 18:05

“Why do you need to know? Are you the traffic warden?”

It is majorly fucking frustrating when you take your wheelchair-using kid to the park and can’t get the chair out by the car because all the disabled bays are taken by young men working out in the gym and working as personal trainers.

For example.

Ok, I completely agree with you, but my point is that if OP had a child in a wheelchair with her she would have mentioned that.

Why does someone who isn't affected need a detailed explanation of what disabilities this person may have to qualify him for a space? I don't think OP was standing up for disability rights as much as being nosy.

It is also frustrating to have a disability that you have to explain to everyone and their cat - arguably not as frustrating as it is for a wheelchair user but still. I don't think disabilities should be pitted against each other, there should be more provision for everyone. I gave an example in my post of a person with a disability who uses a gym for example.

Medwaymumoffour · 13/03/2018 18:07

My son has had a blue badge since five. He is physically fine, his IQ is adverage but he has ASD and a language disorder.
Can he walk, but that doesn’t mean he will. But it’s more that he will bolt and run in front of a car or drop to the floor and roll about for a bit.

Nothing wrong with your Op IMO. How wil anyone understand if it’s moot to ask?

He might have a neuro condition like dyspraxia or asd or anything. Unlikely to use someone else’s blue badge to avoid such a cheap charge but yes CFs do use disabled bays too when they shouldn’t

Could be any scenario

yumyumpoppycat · 13/03/2018 18:08

Maybe running potentially holding a treadmill for balance might be doable for someone who would have difficulties running/walking on uneven ground, up and down stairs, avoiding obstacles etc? I think (haven't checked) if you can't walk unaided for a set distance without a stick that can qualify for BB so possibly he was ok as he could hold the treadmill?

lljkk · 13/03/2018 18:08

If I had a blue badge, but I was having a good day & didn't need a parking space near the door, then I would leave it free for someone else.

londonrach · 13/03/2018 18:10

Ive do home visits on people who one day can run around the park but next cant even get out of bed.

whampiece · 13/03/2018 18:18

If I had a blue badge, but I was having a good day & didn't need a parking space near the door, then I would leave it free for someone else

Give yourself a pat on the back Hmm

As if it's not hard enough for blue badge holders in the first place but now they should only use a space on a bad day Confused

LeighaJ · 13/03/2018 18:19

He might simply live with a relative who has a disability and blue badge but rarely drives themselves. So basically he might be using it inappropriately.

lljkk · 13/03/2018 18:23

Just thinking it would be nice to leave a free space for someone who needs it. There's a guy at my swim pool who can barely walk. I'd feel pretty awful if I stopped him from getting a space near the door.

carryondoctor · 13/03/2018 18:26

Actually I think I agree with lljkk there. If I had a blue badge but was having a day where I knew that I could run for 30mins on a treadmill, I don't think I would want to take a space from someone who might struggle to walk to the door - I'd also like to think the same courtesy would be extended to me on a bad day.

bonnyshide · 13/03/2018 18:26

If I was disabled and yet able to walk up flights of stairs and run on a treadmill I would not be using disabled parking, I'd leave it free for someone who had mobility issues.

I have assisted people applying for blue badges and in my opinion it is very difficult to get one.

SharronNeedles · 13/03/2018 18:26

If I run for 30 minutes I wouldn't be able to walk far afterwards, but I could drive as its less intense pressure on my limb.
So am I not allowed to go to the gym incase someone who is 'more' disabled also wants to go to the gym?

For example

Akire · 13/03/2018 18:28

What would you do if no B.B. at gym? Go home? Or run for 20 then have enough left to walk back to a normal space?

OurMiracle1106 · 13/03/2018 18:28

I’m a controlled epileptic. Epilepsy is a disability under the disability discrimination act. Dunno if I’m entitled to a blue badge but I’m entitled to a freedom pass.

nancy75 · 13/03/2018 18:30

My brother is entitled to a blue badge but does’t use it. He has had ulcerative collitus for 20 years, at 19 he had most of his bowel removed. He could easily run on the running machine for hours on a good day, on a bad day he needs to have emergency access to a toilet & is in a lot of pain

TheFirstMrsDV · 13/03/2018 18:33

MS is a distinct possibility.
My OH can't walk now but he could for a long time.
He used to spend a couple of hours a day in our home gym because if he didn't his pain and stiffness would get much worse.

He is severely disabled.

FifiVoldemortsChavvyCousin · 13/03/2018 18:33

Why does someone who isn't affected need a detailed explanation of what disabilities this person may have to qualify him for a space?

As a pp said, how do people learn if not by asking questions. That’s the point of forums.

OP has three options
(a) Ask the person directly why they had a blue badge. - rude
Or - ask another blue badge user for their opinion- also rude
(b) not say anything and remain ignorant.
(c) research online (e.g. mumsnet) and be enlightened.

Cornishclio · 13/03/2018 18:34

My brother has MS but does not have a BB as most of the time at the moment luckily he is able to walk. I did not know he could get one unless he is in the middle of a relapse. Seems a bit unfair to use a disabled space if you are able to run on a treadmill BB or not.

Mishappening · 13/03/2018 18:35

We used to obtain blue badges for our head-injured patients who found it hard to deal with directions etc.

MrsJayy · 13/03/2018 18:35

I am a non wheelchair using disabled person my disability is not hidden i park in a disabled bay because it is easier for me to get out of the car as there is usually extra space so i dont bump into another car or fall I need space to walk . not every disability is about fitness and how far you are away from a building and quite frankly it is threads and conversations like this that sheds light on disabilist people the disabled shouldn't have to disclose or justify their needs to randoms in the street or on the internet.

Mishappening · 13/03/2018 18:36

By the way to get a blue badge you have to jump lots of hoops. My OH has PD and gets high rate Attendance Allowance, but cannot get a blue badge.

OutsideContextProblem · 13/03/2018 18:36

Would they be able to drive though Mishappening?

SharronNeedles · 13/03/2018 18:39

What would you do if no B.B. at gym? Go home? Or run for 20 then have enough left to walk back to a normal space?

Well I picked my gym as it does have BB parking. If all the spaces were full I would do a less intense workout, focus more on arms I suppose. But my reason for going to the gym is to strengthen what's left of my leg. Seems a bit daft to not use the parking I hold the relevent badge for so I can go to the gym and not do the exercise recommended for my theropy incase I upset someone because they may not notice my prosthetic leg.

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