Applied for blue badge for 3yo

[Thehonestbadger]

I applied for it over the weekend.

I’ve been holding off and holding off because I feel like people will judge me using it for a child so young with a hidden disability.

DS is very large for his age, people assume he’s 5 or 6, he’s autistic and non verbal, has very little understanding of the world and is a massive danger all around. The words ‘significant’ and ‘severe’ appear multiple times in his diagnosis forms and medical reports.

Because of his size and ability to escape anything less than a 5 point harness we had very limited options for car seats. All massive bulky ones. Impossible to access with a car parked close beside and impossible to safeguard vehicles from damage with DS kicking and thrashing which he always does. I get injured a lot.

He has to be restrained at all times in car parks and traffic which he hates and gets so distressed. He recently escaped his restraints whilst I was packing bags and ran straight across the very busy car park. Lots of emergency stops and horns blaring. He injured himself and could have been killed. This happened because I’d parked in a regular space and someone had pulled close beside me so I couldn’t get DS straight into his seat.

It’s reached a point where we are super restricted in parking. We end up waiting long periods for parent and child spaces and often give up entirely and leave. We never go anywhere with DS on a weekend or school holiday as know we won’t get parked. I get so much anxiety over his hospital apts (he has loads as lots) because parking is hideous and super small spaces.

It hit me last week, when I took my nearly 2yo to the supermarket alone and it was very busy there were no parent child spaces. I just parked in a normal spot and it wasn’t a big deal. A little less convenient but hey, it was fine. With DS that would have been impossible. I’d probably have given up and left.

It feels so unfair that we are so heavily restricted with DS and that we fully rely on p&c spaces just to be able to safely access facilities and amenities because of his disability. It doesn’t feel fair to be competing for parking spaces with literally every other parent when our needs are much more extreme and we don’t have the option of just parking in a regular space.

🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 for you and your DS!

I have a blue badge for my not quite 3 year old, they have had one since they were months old as they qualify. I sometimes (often) have to wrestle a rigid body (dystonia) into the car and do up buckles. I haven't really met with too many problems when using a blue badge space even though my child doesn't particularly 'look' disabled. Good luck with your application.

I think YWBU NOT to apply for a blue badge in these circumstances tbh. You have rightly identified that parking in a regular space is not appropriate due to his disability. That is literally what a blue badge is for. Your boy deserves one.

Ds is 13 and has has a blue badge since he was about 7.

being realistic people probably will make assumptions, we get a lot of people checking we have a badge up, and have had a few people commenting.

but that’s their problem. I know we need the space, you know you need it, so let them judge and get on with your day (easier said than done I know)

Well done for applying for the badge, you clearly need it when you're transporting your DS.

The opinion of ignorant busybodies isn't worth worrying about - certainly not versus the safety of your DS.

Nope blue badges aren’t just for the elderly. 100% apply and I hope you get it. Don’t be put off by anyone, your doing the right thing for your family

It sounds like you need a blue badge. Definitely apply for one so that your family (including your son) can enjoy life more.

Stop caring what people think. If you’re entitled to a blue badge for your child, anyone else’s thoughts don’t matter.

YANBU at all OP

No need to feel guilty. All you're doing is applying, its not like youre going and grabbing a badge off a shelf, just because you think you should have one. You're simply asking and the decision maker will decide. If you've been honest on the application without exaggeration and the decision maker awards the badge, then that's that. You don't need the backing of the general public!

You can’t risk putting your child at risk because you worry about what others may think. A few people may judge, but they’d find something to judge for anyway. The vast majority of people won’t ever notice or care that you have a blue badge! I hope you get it

You definitely should have it, I have young disabled relatives and they get looks sometimes, as well as 'concerned' citizens (old people) warning them that the traffic wardens are hot in the area etc.

Disabilities come in all different forms and if you need something in order to help you lead a normal life (whatever that is) then you should absolutely have it.

That’s what the system is there for.

Don’t worry about it. My daughter has a blue badge and without it, life would be difficult getting her out the car.

I’ve had a few people over the years question why we are parking in the blue badge space (they never seem to check if there is a badge first).

Hope you get it!

Don't worry about what other people think. Good luck - I really hope you get one.

That's exactly what they're designed for. I guess, I don't really understand why you'd even question yourself on this one.

Being autistic myself, I guess that kinda goes with the territory though :D

It sounds like you need that blue badge!

My husband has one. They are not given out like smarties, you have to show you need it. And yet he has had some very nasty comments from people saying things like you don’t look like a cripple mate etc…..
You will definitely get a badge, and just ignore what anyone else says. You need to do what’s best for you and your family.
Good luck x

My son sounds similar to yours, except he's 8 now (and the size of a teenager). We were granted a blue badge last year or the year before last. I know it's hard, but please try to ignore the judgemental folk.

Fuck what anybody else thinks! Sorry to be blunt but forget them! You do what you need to do to keep him safe! You have every need and right to have a blue badge for him!
I speak from some experience and know that the world of being a parent or carer of a disabled child can be brutal. Please don't let ignorant small minded peoples opinions affect you.
Good luck getting the blue badge. You may have to fight for it but it sounds from your description as if he definitely should qualify.

All the best

Generally the cut off is 3 years old (they can issue younger in exceptional circumstances) so go for it. I refused one for dd because I felt we didn't need it, she has asd and seizures but we don't need larger parking spaces. Our council offered me one proactively when I claimed her disabled bus pass

Yes I’m afraid that is def what people think when they see dd. She’s growing to be really beautiful, only has a few ‘quirks’ most days, but every so often there’s a blow out to end all blow outs & I’m done caring about other people now lol

If you need it, you need it and don't dream of worrying about what others may think.

You cannot apply for mobility (in most instances) until they are are over 3 anyway so you'll well within your rights to apply now.

I’ve just been awarded a blue badge. Waiting for it to arrive. My eldest who’s 10 has Cystic Fibrosis & ASD, my youngest who is 6 has ASD, Learning disability & Hyper-mobility with Dyspraxia & she uses a wheelchair. Sod what others think!

Your child needs one, good luck x

My niece has autism, is non verbal and has learning disabilities as well as physical ones. But at a glance she doesn't look like she has a disability- she can walk ok.
But my sister was given a disabled badge as soon as she was diagnosed. She is respectful of the privilege and does not park in a disabled spot when her daughter is not with her - though it can be tempting!
You need to do what you need to do!