Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Filling in blue badge form for anxiety question help

317 replies

granadagirl · 04/07/2020 14:59

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

OP posts:
WakeAndBake · 05/07/2020 07:31

I have eupd and severe anxiety. I have come out of a supermarket crying, shaking and feeling like I'm going to pass out. I am going to apply for this so that I am able to get in the car as quickly as possible.

And then drive?! Surely anxiety that severe means you are not really in a fit state to be in charge of a motor vehicle?

What happens if you encounter a stressful situation while driving? Are you on medication for the anxiety?

This sounds very dangerous for other road users/pedestrians

Someone1987 · 05/07/2020 07:36

@WakeAndBake I agree. If someone is at that extent, it poses a risk to other road users.
It worries me how many people could be unsafe behind the wheel.

Russellbrandshair · 05/07/2020 07:36

This sounds very dangerous for other road users/pedestrians

I agree. This sounds like you are potentially putting other people’s lives in danger by attempting to drive in this state

Kaxiyor · 05/07/2020 08:07

Presumably pp sits in the car until they calm down and are safe to drive, it's what I do. She said she gets to her car, not that she gets into her car and drives off in a state. I have the same situation and I'm not unsafe to drive and know not to drive until I've calmed down. Ive never had an anxiety attack while driving as my anxiety isn't triggered by driving it's triggered by dealing with people in person like in a shop.

weepingwillow22 · 05/07/2020 08:48

Why has this thread turned into a judgement of who should and should not get a blue badge? The OP asked a very specific question about how to fill in the form. I think people should try to answer this, and if they can't, refrain from posting.

WakeAndBake · 05/07/2020 08:59

Presumably pp sits in the car until they calm down and are safe to drive

Sitting in the space for 10-20 minutes?!

And again, driving can be stressful and requires the driver to be fully in charge of their faculties at all times! What happens if someone who suffers from such bad anxiety gets cut up? Had to perform an emergency stop? Comes across an accident? Encounters heavy weather?

In my opinion anxiety that requires a blue badge should disqualify someone from holding a license.

Russellbrandshair · 05/07/2020 09:01

And again, driving can be stressful and requires the driver to be fully in charge of their faculties at all times! What happens if someone who suffers from such bad anxiety gets cut up? Had to perform an emergency stop? Comes across an accident? Encounters heavy weather?

I agree. Having a panic attack feels like having a heart attack. That is NOT a safe headspace to be in whilst driving. I’m actually shocked by how dangerous this could be.

Kaxiyor · 05/07/2020 09:21

What happens if someone who suffers from such bad anxiety gets cut up? Had to perform an emergency stop? Comes across an accident? Encounters heavy weather?
None of that would bother me as that isn't what my anxiety is about. Just because someone is very anxious in a supermarket for example does not mean they are unfit to drive

CatkinToadflax · 05/07/2020 09:44

This is an interesting one. I have anxiety but it’s more depression than anxiety, and is currently well controlled. I certainly don’t need a blue badge. But that’s not to say that others don’t. DS1 has quite severe autism and a compelling mixture of add-ons, and when he was younger we had some quite frightening near-misses in supermarket car parks. I always thought we should try to get him a blue badge but assumed we’d be unsuccessful (he has lower rate mobility DLA and mid rate care). Then the rules changed to make it more likely that he could get a blue badge, but we don’t feel that he needs one right now. If things change we will try.

Personally I don’t feel that anxiety should qualify for a blue badge - but that’s based solely on my experience of anxiety. If the OP feels that a blue badge would improve her life significantly then she should apply. We all know how stingy the Powers That Be are - I doubt anyone gets a BB just because they like the sound of them! Confused I agree that there’s a shortage of disabled spaces but that isn’t the OP’s fault.

PassingByAndThoughtIdDropIn · 05/07/2020 10:37

The combination of an ageing population and the new widened criteria means we definitely need more BB spaces, but those should be created flexibly as a combination of large spaces close to entrances, standard width spaces close to entrances and a few wider spaces further away. My late DM had a BB for a combination of mobility and severe dementia, and sometimes used a wheelchair. If she wasn’t using a wheelchair then the priority was a space which would minimise walking distance and road crossing, but which didn’t necessarily need to be extra width. For wheelchair-using trips then we’d have been perfectly happy to park in a large BB space in a quiet distant corner of the carpark, leaving the closer spaces for people who couldn’t walk far (or people in self-propelled wheelchairs or who couldn’t negotiate traffic) - for us the quietness would easily outweigh the additional distance.

Roselilly36 · 05/07/2020 10:47

I have MS & have a BB, the looks you get from people at times, never has anyone said anything to me, but friends I have that also have MS & a BB have, sometimes people can be very nasty & judgemental.

Sirzy · 05/07/2020 10:48

Personally I would turn all or most P and C spaces into disabled parking which would increase the amount of spaces available so everyone who has a disability which means they need a blue badge is able to park.

gotothecooler · 05/07/2020 10:50

Personally I would turn all or most P and C spaces into disabled parking which would increase the amount of spaces available so everyone who has a disability which means they need a blue badge is able to park.

This is an obvious solution to the problem. The P&C spacing is bonkers when we have people with disabilities unable to park.

DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon · 05/07/2020 10:54

I do think if youve got such bad anxiety you need a blue badge you shouldnt be behind the wheel of a car. Like if genuinly you cant walk across a carpark because you are at risk of fainting due to anxiety or you are so likely to have a severe panic attack.

Its just not safe. You dont just recover from a panic attack in 10 minutes. I have had panic attacks in the past, no way would I drive after one

DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon · 05/07/2020 10:56

The problem is more town centre carparks/swimming pool carparks etc. that are really lacking in disabled bays, places with lots of P&C tend to have lots of disabled bays.

MashedPotatoBrainz · 05/07/2020 11:01

I know somebody who absolutely struggles to walk and is in pain but got turned down for a blue badge

Then they need to appeal or submit a new application.

It's the same for any disability, the person who needs the Blue Badge or their appointee needs to provide medical evidence and also explain the effect of the symptoms of the person's medical condition(s) and effectively communicate how having a Blue Badge could make a vast difference to that person's daily life, e.g. it would enable them to safely access places they would not otherwise be able to visit/attend.

Blue Badges are not granted for a list of medical conditions, they are given because of the disabling effect those medical conditions have on that particular person.

You make it sound so easy when it really isn't. I'm going through the process at the moment and it's a bloody nightmare. My renewal application was turned down because I can walk 100m, despite having had a badge for 20 years and my condition only getting worse. My case has been to court and been batted back to the council, who batted it back to the GP, then the occupational therapist, then the physio and then back to the council who are still rejecting it. They are sticking doggedly to the 'can walk 100m' despite the medical evidence showing that yes I can do it, but only in utter agony, and only as a one off.

Pebblexox · 05/07/2020 11:01

As a blue badge holder (for dd) won't lie to you finding a disabled spot is often more anxiety provoking than parking in a quieter spot at the back of the car park. Hers isn't for anxiety, but honestly finding a disabled parking spot is often hard work. You also have to be aware that people still comment on the fact you look 'able bodied' and don't need the spot. I've often had people tell me to go park in a different spot because I clearly don't need disabled, which in itself can cause anxiety.

FubbyChucker · 05/07/2020 12:11

Christ on a bike, some of the responses on this thread are fuckn horrendous. OP, contact the CAB, they have a whole page about BB, www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/blue-badge-scheme/applying-for-a-blue-badge/
And there is some info about those applicants that don't have an automatic eligibility by virtue of a benefit in pay. Good Luck

TimeWastingButFun · 05/07/2020 12:14

I'm trying to get one too for my elderly mum who is wheelchair bound and cannot walk more than a few steps. It's tricky, isn't it. There's a lot of demand for them.

JuanNil · 05/07/2020 12:27

@WakeAndBake

Presumably pp sits in the car until they calm down and are safe to drive

Sitting in the space for 10-20 minutes?!

And again, driving can be stressful and requires the driver to be fully in charge of their faculties at all times! What happens if someone who suffers from such bad anxiety gets cut up? Had to perform an emergency stop? Comes across an accident? Encounters heavy weather?

In my opinion anxiety that requires a blue badge should disqualify someone from holding a license.

Isn't that like saying that a person with difficulties walking due to problems with their legs should be disqualified from driving? I mean who knows, they could suddenly get sharp pains or their legs freeze up and they can't hit the pedals on time. It's wrong to say that, because:

A) That's stupid. Thank goodness it's not down to Joe Public to decide who should and shouldn't be driving, that's what experts and professionals are for. Some of the opinions on this thread are depressing as hell and I'd urge those with judgemental views to keep their mouths shut out IRL, lest they find themselves very embarrassed when they're put in their place.

B) Are all people with severe anxiety driving themselves? People who require wheelchairs often have people to drive them. Have you not considered that this could also be true for somebody with life altering anxiety? Why is it okay to make assumptions about one kind of disability but taboo for another? It's not okay to make assumptions about ANY kind of disability.

june2007 · 05/07/2020 13:05

My husband could apply he has FND, but we can generally park close enough, a few times on holiday we have struggles. Would be very annoying if we found someone who has anxiety. (So not a mobility issue.) Took up a blue badge space, meaning someone like my husband who somedays can,t actually walk is stuck parking half a mile away.

Woodlandtree · 05/07/2020 13:09

june2007 why doesn’t your DH apply for one then, he could just use it when he needs too.

june2007 · 05/07/2020 13:13

I think it,s just a case of getting round to it.

DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon · 05/07/2020 13:19

A person whos legs feeeze up shouldnt drive a car with pedals. They can use hand controls...

If you arent able to drive a car with your legs, you dont. There are plenty of disabilities that mean its unsafe for you to drive, or mean your car will need adaptions to make it safe.

Kaxi · 05/07/2020 13:31

Its just not safe. You dont just recover from a panic attack in 10 minutes. I have had panic attacks in the past, no way would I drive after one
That's you though. Im autistic with awful anxiety, I recover incredibly quickly the minute I'm in my safe space be that the car or the house. Everyone will be different, some won't be safe to drive but you can't blanket say that applies to everyone.