Filling in blue badge form for anxiety question help

[granadagirl]

Hi
As mentioned I’m filling in my form on council website
The question are not really clear (to me) what there asking
Anyone able to help
So
What measures are currently taken to try to improve journeys for you between a vehicle and your destination
Enter description of measures taken to try to improve journeys ?
I’m not asking what to put, just what exactly they mean by it
Thanks

I think it was on the main boards originally, wasn’t it? Most of us wouldn’t even have seen it otherwise.

Your actually on a Mental Health board saying that all those other disabilities are worse. What are you doing?

Well I’m not saying they’re “worse” for a start.

Neither was I saying that anxiety “doesn’t have a physical effect”.

How many times are you going to accuse me of saying something I haven’t said before you read my post properly?

I was just commenting on how extremely crass it was to use the “anxiety has a physical effect” line of argument about blue badges when you know you’re in discussion with wheelchair users (myself included). Why not just stick to “anxiety is very challenging”?

Arrietty Severe anxiety can sometimes cause the loss of movement or power of limbs - including paralysis in some. It can also cause seizures.

June I would have hoped the DW of someone with FND would be more understanding of severe MH conditions given FND itself is so misunderstood and often carries stigma and judgement.

DS1 has a BB due to his complex MH needs. He is automatically entitled to it with HRC/HRM DLA. He also has a physical condition but wouldn't qualify for one with that alone. Getting him out of the house is difficult enough, without his BB it would be impossible and dangerous to take him anywhere.

Sadly, I'd guess the government probably knew this would be controversial with existing BB holders when they introduced the change. Just to be 100% clear, it isn't controversial with me, I understand exactly how debilitating anxiety can be.

It much benefits them for us to bicker amongst ourselves about it though, rather than for them to change anything :(

There should be criteria set, like there is with PIP. Many people suffer from anxiety, some manage their condition independently and make adjustments as required. Some take high doses of medication and are under the care of mental health services. As disabled spaces are so limited then imo they should be available for those in the latter group only.

So op, in your application include details of hcps like specialist nurses or counsellors and list medication so they understand the extent of your condition. They just want evidence that it effects you significantly.

Sadly, I'd guess the government probably knew this would be controversial with existing BB holders when they introduced the change. Just to be 100% clear, it isn't controversial with me, I understand exactly how debilitating anxiety can be.

No, I agree. What is controversial is not providing more spaces, not the change of rules per se . But the only way we are going to get enough spaces in this economic climate is to have two sizes, and look how I’ve been randomly attacked for saying that. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Only three posters on the thread (yourself included) have actually addressed the suggestion.

@seekingwaxwings

I have MS and can't walk unaided, and I have a blue badge. I still struggle to park near when I want to go because there aren't enough disabled spaces. I can't see this getting any better if able bodied people with anxiety can apply for badges now.

This. This in spades.

@ArriettyJones

Sadly, I'd guess the government probably knew this would be controversial with existing BB holders when they introduced the change. Just to be 100% clear, it isn't controversial with me, I understand exactly how debilitating anxiety can be.

No, I agree. What is controversial is not providing more spaces, not the change of rules per se . But the only way we are going to get enough spaces in this economic climate is to have two sizes, and look how I’ve been randomly attacked for saying that. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Only three posters on the thread (yourself included) have actually addressed the suggestion.

This post was about a lady needing help on filling a form to access a space she might be entitled to. Derailers then come on to have a go and implied she didn’t deserve it.

Now your saying you was randomly attacked - imagine how the OP feels..

Hopefully OP hasn't actually read most of the hateful and ignorant comments on here, but hope you managed to get it sorted.

@ArriettyJones fair enough, but even if everybody addressed the suggestion and agreed it still wouldn't progress the situation. Wouldn't it be better to send this suggestion to your local MP? Asking genuinely, not a criticism.

[quote JuanNil]@ArriettyJones fair enough, but even if everybody addressed the suggestion and agreed it still wouldn't progress the situation. Wouldn't it be better to send this suggestion to your local MP? Asking genuinely, not a criticism. [/quote]

I spend my whole life trying to get to business meetings, always in a wheelchair, usually self propelling, trying to arrive looking professional and unflustwred, nearly always struggling to find appropriate parking...what on Earth makes you think I HAVEN’T raised the issue with every appropriate person?

I don't think you haven't. I just don't personally believe anybody here can help you.

I am not judging anyone personally. My issue is not with people it is with the system. To many applicants not enough space.

I was just joining in the conversation, but given some of the attitudes and misinformation out there, discussing the whole issue can only be a good thing.

Discussing it here really hasn’t been a good thing for the op.
Continuing to discuss it here isn’t a good thing for the op.

I'd recommend starting a new thread to discuss any misinformation. Or to discuss any perceived problems with the system as a whole. It's not very kind to come to a place where somebody has asked for help only to give your opinions about things they have no control over. I would feel very sad if this OP decided to stop applying for her badge now because of the opinions of people here. If you don't understand the deeper implications of anxiety enough to feel it warrants extra help in the form of a blue badge, that's fine, but that also means you have no idea how badly you would be affecting somebody with anxiety by choosing to bring your opinions and arguments here. You don't know what further problems it will cause away from the screens. Please stop now.

It's not very kind to come to a place where somebody has asked for help only to give your opinions about things they have no control over.

What “place” do you think we all came to?

If something pops up on the main boards with anti-disability sentiment, it will get responses. I can see you’re in a position of tunnel vision, but you might try reading the thread back and trying to imagine yourself reading it if you were mobility impaired.

I think I can see both sides of this (from experience). I’m not sure everyone on the thread can at the same.

If you don't understand the deeper implications of anxiety enough to feel it warrants extra help in the form of a blue badge, that's fine,

And I think you know perfectly well I haven’t said anything of that sort. All I’ve suggested is two sizes of disabled parking space. The replies to that have been eye opening.

@ArriettyJones stop. Just stop. This thread isn’t about you.

'If you don't understand the deeper implications of anxiety enough to feel it warrants extra help in the form of a blue badge, that's fine'

As I said earlier anxiety, like many conditions varies massively from mild to severe. To be given any kind of concession evidence needs to be produced. Own opinions and judgements don't really count.

unless the "place" the question was originally posted was on the 'please give me completely useless and unrelated answers to my question' board, I really can't see your point. OP didn't ask for any other opinions. Just help. End of story.

What is the change in rules? Is it now possible to get a blue badge for anxiety? I say this as a person who really struggles with anxiety especially around being outside, public transport, dogs, fear of having a panic attack, palpitations when walking that then give me a panic attack and then I'm scared it might be a heart attack. This has caused me to miss a lot of time off work and if I was able park near my work this would help me attend work and potentially let me keep my job but I'm probably going to be flamed for suggesting I might apply for one.

'say this as a person who really struggles with anxiety especially around being outside, public transport, dogs, fear of having a panic attack, palpitations when walking that then give me a panic attack and then I'm scared it might be a heart attack'

What does your gp suggest, CBT, counselling or medication?

If you have palpitations while walking wouldn't driving be more stressful? Genuine question, driving can be very hard for anxious people.

@Sarahplane

What is the change in rules? Is it now possible to get a blue badge for anxiety? I say this as a person who really struggles with anxiety especially around being outside, public transport, dogs, fear of having a panic attack, palpitations when walking that then give me a panic attack and then I'm scared it might be a heart attack. This has caused me to miss a lot of time off work and if I was able park near my work this would help me attend work and potentially let me keep my job but I'm probably going to be flamed for suggesting I might apply for one.

www.gov.uk/government/news/people-with-hidden-disabilities-can-access-blue-badges-for-the-first-time-from-today

I have one for anxiety (and autism) above link is the press release from last year