To expect not to have to detail my medical history when parking my car !!

[Rosscameasdoody]

Just need to get this off my chest really, before my head explodes. I’m a disabled driver - obvious disability once I get out of the car. Went to the supermarket yesterday as usual with a friend who helps me with getting in and out of my wheelchair, dealing with shopping etc.

Found a disabled spot and friend gets out of the car - is immediately challenged by an older lady who comes barrelling over with a really horrible attitude - the usual ‘you don’t look very disabled’, but very aggressive and loud. Friend tries to explain that she’s helping me, but Mrs Nosey is having none of it, and the next minute I find myself being grilled about my condition and asking where my blue badge is - I think this may be what sparked the confrontation as I don’t display it unless I park in a disabled spot, as per guidance. I was about to put it in the window after parking up.

For some reason this is happening more and more since Covid - people just seem to think they have a right to ask what I feel are personal and intrusive questions about medical conditions. And yesterday, instead of just showing her the badge and the wheelchair hoist, as I usually do if challenged, I snapped back. Said I have a current legal blue badge, which I had no obligation to show to anyone but traffic and law enforcement officers and that she had no right to ask about my disability - said that it was confidential, between myself and my doctor and I had no intention of discussing it with a stranger.

By this time friend had hoisted down the chair and asked Mrs Nosey to move aside so she could help me get into it. As soon as she realised I was a wheelchair user it must have dawned in her on her that she looked a bit of an idiot - she mumbled an apology and scurried off.

My question is AIBU to think that my medical history is no one’s business but my own ? And has anyone else had similar experiences ?

@BlankTimes

Another BB story www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9942931/Amputee-asked-prove-hes-disabled-parking-officials-shares-sarcastic-letter-GP.html

Surely he needs the badge for the days he cannot manage ?

Don't people realise that conditions can be very variable?
Some days I'm sure he can walk well on his prosthetic leg, but it won't be all days, otherwise he'd not have applied for a BB in the first place.

Yikes, I’m going to be controversial here. Firstly let me say that I don’t for one minute think that the man in the above article should have been treated like this - he clearly needed a badge as there was a lot going on besides the amputation. But not all leg amputees qualify for a BB - or for mobility allowance, for that matter. I think the wording in the rules state something to the effect that if the artificial limb restores the function of the lost limb and there are no other disabilities or mitigating circumstances present, then the application is refused. Think Oscar Pistorius and other similarly disabled athletes, whose amputations don't impact on their ability.

My ds has a blue badge - we haven't been challenged yet but am sure we will be at some point.

I like to channel the Queen when dealing with such issues:

'Don't complain, don't explain'.

I don't make it my business to police other people and I don't give explanations to those who are looking to police ours.

I have perfected the art of looking oblivious and uncaring