Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder about blue badges

47 replies

CrohnicallyEarly · 05/09/2019 18:52

And how severely affected your walking has to be before you qualify for one?

I have MS and my main symptoms are neuropathic pain and numbness and stiffness in my lower limbs. This worsens with exercise.

I can walk short distances at a normal speed but would then need to stop and rest.

Over longer distances my walking speed slows dramatically, I can walk a mile in one go but it takes me 40 minutes. As the numbness takes over my feet and ankles I have to really concentrate on lifting my feet carefully so I don’t trip over my toes. My limit for sustained walking (with short breaks) is 2 miles, after that point my legs hurt too much to continue, my leg muscles tighten up and I would need at least the rest of the day to recover before attempting to walk again, I would have to be careful not to overdo it the next day too.

How do they actually assess your walking ability? Do they look to see how far I can walk ‘normally’ (as in, without too much pain and at an acceptable speed) or would I automatically be disqualified because I can walk a fair distance (albeit slowly and carefully)

Would it go against me that I don’t take anything specifically for the pain? As it’s neuropathic, normal painkillers don’t work. I’m used to the baseline level of discomfort and simply try and avoid triggering it too much.

OP posts:
WhatsMyPassword · 05/09/2019 18:56

You don't have to be affected by walking.

carsleyladiessociety · 05/09/2019 18:59

OP.

I can walk (ish) and I have a blue badge.
The benchmark (or at least it is in my LA) is can you safely, reliably and repeatedly walk 50 metres. In my case I fail the test on all 3, because walking can and does totally wear me out to the point of exhaustion, there is no guarantee I will be able to walk on any given day, and repeatedly walking 50m or more can be a very bad idea sometimes.

Providing you have enough medical evidence to suggest you find walking difficult they may give you a badge without calling you in. Otherwise, and depending on your LA they may call you in for assessment.

I can give you a bit more info via PM if you want.

Original poster
CrohnicallyEarly · 05/09/2019 19:43

@carsleylasiessociety thank you for that! I haven’t been able to find definitive criteria like that for my area, it just says something like ‘considerable difficulty in walking’. I feel like I have considerable difficulty, but that’s probably because I’m comparing my ability now with what my ability used to be. Example from my fitness tracker- July this year 1.57 miles over 1 hr 14 mins. Average pace of 47 minutes per mile or 0.57 m/s (average for someone my age and sex is around 1.3 m/s)

However I can safely, repeatedly and reliably walk 50m at a time with a short break in between, so on that basis I don’t qualify.

OP posts:
TheBigFatMermaid · 05/09/2019 19:46

I just applied, filled the form in truthfully, sent my £30, then got my blue badge.

It has been an absolute godsend!!

yunalis · 05/09/2019 19:49

I've actually been looking at this today. What kind of evidence do they need? I have things covered by different specialties so I would guess I'd have to ask my GP.

underneaththeash · 05/09/2019 19:55

You may as well apply OP. But make sure you state your walking ability on one of your worst days.

My DD had one for about 18m before he passed away and he would sometimes not use it if he was feeling fine. It was amazing though when he did need it.

chickengirl77 · 05/09/2019 20:03

Each council is different,I have MS and did all mine online,paid £10,badge came in post couple weeks later,I had to send in proof of my MS

feellikeanalien · 05/09/2019 20:05

My mum got her blue badge recently. She has bad arthritis and although she can walk with a walking stick she can't go very far.

She just completed the form and sent it off with the fee.

I think they phoned her up and asked for some more detail but once she had given them that she got badge without having to attend any interview.

Original poster
CrohnicallyEarly · 05/09/2019 20:07

The thing is, my medical professionals don’t seem that interested. I saw my consultant a couple of weeks ago, he just sort of said ‘so, you’re still up and about and independent? We’ll carry on as we are and I’ll see you in 6 months’

When I got my MS diagnosis I did discuss walking with him but he misinterpreted and wrote down that my symptoms begin after I walk a mile, whereas I said my symptoms interfere with me being able to walk more than a mile.

I don’t suppose there’s anything to lose by applying!

OP posts:
minesasaugagesupper · 05/09/2019 20:21

Write down how you are on your WORST day.

transformandriseup · 05/09/2019 20:32

As the numbness takes over my feet and ankles I have to really concentrate on lifting my feet carefully so I don’t trip over my toes.

I think my mum (with MS) applied for her blue badge when her foot was doing what you described. She could usually walk further than 50m but was advised to describe her symptoms on her worse day.

tierraJ · 05/09/2019 20:36

Be very careful what you put in any application.

My friend who is a below knee amputee described the (terrible) pain she gets as 'intermittent' and her blue badge was taken away.

Disgraceful.

Stinkycatbreath · 05/09/2019 20:44

If you can, pay for a one of assessment from an OT. In my line of work I have supported people with Blude badge applications with supporting information and assessments. Take care how you word things you really do need someone who knows how to do this properly especially with a fluctuating but very serious condition. The diagnosis alone will not get you a blue badge but focus solely on function walking distance and pain. Mobility is not just walking it is our ability to get from one place to another and the factors that contribute to that. Good luck.

BlankTimes · 05/09/2019 20:45

Do apply.
All local authorities have their own rules.
If you receive Enhanced Rate PIP Mobility, the chances are you will not have any difficulty receiving a BB, because there will be a record of your mobility done by the DWP's assessor.

If you don't, you may be asked to attend an appointment where you'll be assessed by the LA's medical officer, often an OT or a Physio.

At their assessment, my relative was asked a lot of questions and took copies of medical evidence as back-up. The OT who assessed them made several observations during the interview then walked behind them to the car afterwards. The OT couldn't give a decision there and then because their observations have to go before a team, but the letter to say the BB had been awarded came in about a week.

EdersonsSmileyTattoo · 05/09/2019 20:47

I have a Blue Badge, I have Psoriatic Arthritis and Fibromyalgia which affect my mobility.

All I had to do was send my PIP award letter to prove I was on enhanced rate and that was it.

TheQueensCousin · 05/09/2019 20:55

I'm dual diagnosed with a Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis although PsA is currently the most dominant. I've just applied for a BB but I'm not holding out too much hope. When I completed the on line form I described my worst day. The PsA caused searing pain in my feet and toes but also chronic fatigue. I gave up work in July 2017 as by the afternoon I was so exhausted and in pain that I had to jam a chair up to office door and lay on the floor (this embarrasses me to think of it now).
I don't claim anything but I'm now thinking about applying for PIP as I'm struggling to lift pans and peel veg etc.

duffyluth · 05/09/2019 20:58

10 points for the mobility side of PIP for a BB or contact local council who usually have an OT assess you. They assessed DH while he was waiting for PIP and declined him a Badge because he didn't look like he was in pain. Wankers. His PIP came through and he was awarded one because he got 10 points for mobility.

picklemepopcorn · 05/09/2019 21:04

I'm wondering the same, not so much right now, but if I get worse.
I have fibromyalgia, am sore and slow all the time. I can do quite a lot on any one day, but then I'm exhausted the next day.
Stairs are such a struggle, I'm defeated at the sight of them.

EggysMom · 05/09/2019 21:04

Wankers. His PIP came through and he was awarded one because he got 10 points for mobility.

Similar. Our council declined our son for his BB. One week later his HRM DLA award came through, which comes with automatic entitlement to a BB. I have to admit to gloating when I contacted the council ...

TheQueensCousin · 05/09/2019 21:08

Is applying for PIP the ordeal that it sounds?!?!

OhLookHeKickedTheBall · 05/09/2019 21:09

Both my parents have blue badges, but only one qualifies for DLA (not sure if she's been shifted to PIP yet). My mother can not walk 50m unaided and still isn't safe or reliable on aids. My father can with aids, but was granted one too. My mother's GP supported her application, not sure who support my fathers but may have been GP too. May be worth trying them or an OT for help.

duffyluth · 05/09/2019 22:07

Is applying for PIP the ordeal that it sounds?!?!

It can be. But there are good experiences happening alongside the bad ones. You just don't hear about them so much.

imnotinthemood · 05/09/2019 22:12

I believe from 30th August it's changed the rules for applying as in hidden disability so may be easier for you .

delacruz · 05/09/2019 22:38

This is interesting to read as my LA states you will be eligible if you receive the higher rate of dla mobility, my dd is 6 and has cerebral palsy but only receives LRM so will more than likely not be accepted for one which is a pain!

MsPepperPotts · 05/09/2019 23:22

Hi OP
Get an diagnosis letter from your GP. He should be able to write enough to explain your condition so that you will be given one.