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Original poster

To use disabled parking bays when on crutches?

272 replies

Glamgwen · 22/04/2023 08:43

Boring parking question. I’m currently on crutches following on operation. I need to park in a multi-storey car park today (no other options) that doesn’t have a lift. I can’t manage stairs or slopes, so can only park on the ground floor but these spaces are all disabled. Would it be acceptable for me to park in one & leave a note in the window explaining the situation & giving my mobile number in case anyone with a blue badge needs the space? I should add that there are loads of disabled spaces & I’ve never known them all to be in use.

OP posts:
Wenfy · 22/04/2023 13:21

ashitghost · 22/04/2023 12:49

Disabled people can’t have anything for themselves. There are always people like the OP who think they’re special.

How many notes on windscreens should be acceptable?

I am disabled. I’m not classed severely disabled yet because relapsing arthritis isn’t classed as severe enough. But more often than not I am much less able to move around than my brother with colitis who does have a blue badge. The system isn’t fair and most parking providers know this.

MRex · 22/04/2023 13:22

Unfortunately it isn't appropriate; it wouldn't be appropriate with SPD in pregnancy, nor for any other illness. The reason is that you are being temporarily inconvenienced, and the spaces are deliberately put there for those who have difficulty every day. You can ask people to give you a seat on the bus though, or get a taxi to drop you.

50percentNamaste50percentGoFuckYourself · 22/04/2023 13:22

Wenfy · 22/04/2023 13:18

In private car parks it doesn’t matter. Most have terms and conditions whereby pregnant, unwell, and the non-blue badge disabled can use any space (including disabled and parent and child). If you’re nervous you can read the car park’s t&c to double check?

Not true.In private car parks you can and will get clamped for parking in a BB space without one,and for several other parking infringements.
Easy money for them.

lidlbrownjug · 22/04/2023 13:24

Wenfy · 22/04/2023 13:18

In private car parks it doesn’t matter. Most have terms and conditions whereby pregnant, unwell, and the non-blue badge disabled can use any space (including disabled and parent and child). If you’re nervous you can read the car park’s t&c to double check?

As a pp says this isn't true in most cases you'll get a ticket with a penalty amount for parking in a bb space

mainsfed · 22/04/2023 13:25

Wenfy · 22/04/2023 13:18

In private car parks it doesn’t matter. Most have terms and conditions whereby pregnant, unwell, and the non-blue badge disabled can use any space (including disabled and parent and child). If you’re nervous you can read the car park’s t&c to double check?

Another one saying this is not true. Private car parks only see 💰💰💰and will issue a ticket.

Astralitzia · 22/04/2023 13:36

My dad had Parkinson's but wasn't eligible for a blue badge apparently, despite some days being almost totally immobile and housebound. Anyone questioning my use of accessible car parking spaces when taking him out would have been told where to go in short order.

Accessible spaces should be about access needs, not whether some govt department somewhere deems you worthy enough of a blue badge.

lidlbrownjug · 22/04/2023 13:39

Astralitzia · 22/04/2023 13:36

My dad had Parkinson's but wasn't eligible for a blue badge apparently, despite some days being almost totally immobile and housebound. Anyone questioning my use of accessible car parking spaces when taking him out would have been told where to go in short order.

Accessible spaces should be about access needs, not whether some govt department somewhere deems you worthy enough of a blue badge.

If your dad was so disabled, you should've been eligible for a BB.

I have never challenged anyone parking in a bb space without a badge, but I know my local town has at least one car park where people get tickets for parking in bb spaces without a bb. (I've seen them on the windscreen)

I have been challenged on parking in a disabled space with my bb. Only a couple of weeks ago. I almost made a thread on here about it. I was so upset. (I do have a bb and it was on display)

Astralitzia · 22/04/2023 13:43

lidlbrownjug · 22/04/2023 13:39

If your dad was so disabled, you should've been eligible for a BB.

I have never challenged anyone parking in a bb space without a badge, but I know my local town has at least one car park where people get tickets for parking in bb spaces without a bb. (I've seen them on the windscreen)

I have been challenged on parking in a disabled space with my bb. Only a couple of weeks ago. I almost made a thread on here about it. I was so upset. (I do have a bb and it was on display)

Show quote history

You'd think, but apparently not.

The severity of his Parkinson's symptoms waxed and waned over a few years as his medication was adjusted. Unfortunately he still needed to go out for shopping and appointments regardless (when he was really struggling I'd do the shopping for him but I couldn't go to the dentist for him).

He often needed the accessible space.

SinnerBoy · 22/04/2023 13:44

Well, I've just come back from Morrisons, where there was a blue, two door Mercedes coupe, parked in a disabled spot, it had no blue badge. I saw the owners, a young couple, who appeared to be fine getting into what is quite a tight car, when I was going to mine.

LadyKenya · 22/04/2023 13:44

Unfortunately as can be seen from some of the responses on these threads there will be people who will always do as they wish to regardless as to whether they have a BB, or not. I personally have no desire to challenge anybody out there, even when I have seen misuse of BB parking spaces. People have their own moral code I guess.

Tarantullah · 22/04/2023 13:48

My brother has a BB and people often challenge him even though he has a badge which is always on display when he parks, always other people who have BB that feel its their duty to patrol. Fortunately he doesn't take it to heart, but for some it would put them off going out which is really sad. He has a prosthetic leg which obviously doesn't bend in the way a 'regular' leg would- under clothes it doesn't notice much but he is often in pain as his stump rubs against the join, and he needs more space to get in and out and he has been told he's disgusting for misusing a disabled bay, that he doesn't look disabled, that he's selfish and that they're going to report him (not sure who to).

OuchIStubbedMyBigToe · 22/04/2023 13:49

OP, I assume as you're happy to use a blue badge bay you'd also be happy to take the lifelong disability or condition to go with it?

Tarantullah · 22/04/2023 13:49

OuchIStubbedMyBigToe · 22/04/2023 13:49

OP, I assume as you're happy to use a blue badge bay you'd also be happy to take the lifelong disability or condition to go with it?

I hate this 'witty and clever' comeback.

lidlbrownjug · 22/04/2023 13:51

Tarantullah · 22/04/2023 13:48

My brother has a BB and people often challenge him even though he has a badge which is always on display when he parks, always other people who have BB that feel its their duty to patrol. Fortunately he doesn't take it to heart, but for some it would put them off going out which is really sad. He has a prosthetic leg which obviously doesn't bend in the way a 'regular' leg would- under clothes it doesn't notice much but he is often in pain as his stump rubs against the join, and he needs more space to get in and out and he has been told he's disgusting for misusing a disabled bay, that he doesn't look disabled, that he's selfish and that they're going to report him (not sure who to).

I was asked "what is the nature of your disability"

Last weekend. In a supermarket car park. By the woman of a male female couple with a baby in a pram.

I couldn't believe it.

I walk with a very obvious lurch. And she should've been able to see the convoluted way I got out of my car.

OuchIStubbedMyBigToe · 22/04/2023 13:52

@Tarantullah

Well good for you. Wasn't intended to be witty or clever. It's just pointing out that people get blue badges because they have conditions or disabilities that have a profound and prolonged effect on their lives. OP is temporarily inconvenienced and as such should not be using the blue badge bays.

lidlbrownjug · 22/04/2023 13:56

Sorry. Weekend before last. Easter weekend.

OldTinHat · 22/04/2023 16:03

@Quveas very valid point.

SweetSakura · 22/04/2023 16:21

I hate the assumption on these threads that only those with a blue badge need the spaces.

It took 5 years for me to get a diagnosis. I was just as disabled before my diagnosis, but I wasn't eligible for a blue badge until I had it.

I hate the moral high ground stuff. Yes it's shit being disabled. But it can also be incredibly shit and stressful having a temporarily disabling condition.

Astralitzia · 22/04/2023 16:26

SweetSakura · 22/04/2023 16:21

I hate the assumption on these threads that only those with a blue badge need the spaces.

It took 5 years for me to get a diagnosis. I was just as disabled before my diagnosis, but I wasn't eligible for a blue badge until I had it.

I hate the moral high ground stuff. Yes it's shit being disabled. But it can also be incredibly shit and stressful having a temporarily disabling condition.

And even in the case of permanent conditions, you can have good days and bad days (or good months and bad months) as my dad did with Parkinson's. On a good day he wouldn't have needed the accessible space as he'd have been able to shuffle to the shop without getting too tired. On a bad day he couldn't get out of the car as much as we had to do a controlled fall from it.

SweetSakura · 22/04/2023 16:31

Astralitzia · 22/04/2023 16:26

And even in the case of permanent conditions, you can have good days and bad days (or good months and bad months) as my dad did with Parkinson's. On a good day he wouldn't have needed the accessible space as he'd have been able to shuffle to the shop without getting too tired. On a bad day he couldn't get out of the car as much as we had to do a controlled fall from it.

Show quote history

Exactly.

Quveas · 22/04/2023 16:34

SweetSakura · 22/04/2023 16:21

I hate the assumption on these threads that only those with a blue badge need the spaces.

It took 5 years for me to get a diagnosis. I was just as disabled before my diagnosis, but I wasn't eligible for a blue badge until I had it.

I hate the moral high ground stuff. Yes it's shit being disabled. But it can also be incredibly shit and stressful having a temporarily disabling condition.

There are no assumptions being made at all. It is a FACT that disabled spaces are allocated on the basis of POSSESSING a blue badge. It is irrelevant whether the criteria (which are set by the goverment and not by people on these threads) are the right criteria or not. I was just as disabled the day before I got my blue badge as the day after I got it. But I wasn't entitled enough to decide that I had a right to do what the hell I wanted and park wherever I put my car without getting a fine.

If you want to campaign for changes to the system, have at it. Don't have a pop at people here who are commenting on FACTS not assumptions. If a space is designated for a blue badge holder, then you are quite rightly fined if you use that space without having a blue badge or in accordance with the rules set out. People can't just "decide" that they are disabled enough to use the spaces, or they would be used by everybody all the time, because a lot of people are just lazy.

Tarantullah · 22/04/2023 16:35

OuchIStubbedMyBigToe · 22/04/2023 13:52

@Tarantullah

Well good for you. Wasn't intended to be witty or clever. It's just pointing out that people get blue badges because they have conditions or disabilities that have a profound and prolonged effect on their lives. OP is temporarily inconvenienced and as such should not be using the blue badge bays.

Some people have injuries that mean for a set period of time they may need access to these spaces, thankfully here they're sensible and will issue temp passes for these people. A disabled space is wider and closer to the entrance of wherever you are, it isn't anything to do with having a condition for life or not, it's just the system that makes it so and leaves many people much more than 'inconvinienced'. 6 weeks, 6 months or however long is a long time still if it means you cannot access places you need to go.

Sirzy · 22/04/2023 16:45

Quveas · 22/04/2023 16:34

There are no assumptions being made at all. It is a FACT that disabled spaces are allocated on the basis of POSSESSING a blue badge. It is irrelevant whether the criteria (which are set by the goverment and not by people on these threads) are the right criteria or not. I was just as disabled the day before I got my blue badge as the day after I got it. But I wasn't entitled enough to decide that I had a right to do what the hell I wanted and park wherever I put my car without getting a fine.

If you want to campaign for changes to the system, have at it. Don't have a pop at people here who are commenting on FACTS not assumptions. If a space is designated for a blue badge holder, then you are quite rightly fined if you use that space without having a blue badge or in accordance with the rules set out. People can't just "decide" that they are disabled enough to use the spaces, or they would be used by everybody all the time, because a lot of people are just lazy.

Show quote history

Exactly.

as soon as we stop the requirement for a blue badge to park in disabled spaces we turn them into even more of a free for all than they already are which means the most vulnerable are left unable to get out.

x2boys · 22/04/2023 16:45

SweetSakura · 22/04/2023 16:21

I hate the assumption on these threads that only those with a blue badge need the spaces.

It took 5 years for me to get a diagnosis. I was just as disabled before my diagnosis, but I wasn't eligible for a blue badge until I had it.

I hate the moral high ground stuff. Yes it's shit being disabled. But it can also be incredibly shit and stressful having a temporarily disabling condition.

But blue badge spaces are just that ,im.sorry,it took so.long for you to.get blue,badge ,sometimes the system doesn't work.as it should ,but we can't have people just deciding they need the space occupied by blue badge holders ,because that would mean even fewer,spaces would be available for blue badge holders and where would it end ?.
people would abuse it.

Astralitzia · 22/04/2023 16:48

Sirzy · 22/04/2023 16:45

Exactly.

as soon as we stop the requirement for a blue badge to park in disabled spaces we turn them into even more of a free for all than they already are which means the most vulnerable are left unable to get out.

Show quote history

So those with an incurable disabling condition that renders them immobile / near-housebound but who for some reason are denied a blue badge can just go and hang then.

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