Has anyone applied for blue badges for parking for a dc - don't want to ask for mobility, just parking!

[MrsShrekTheThird]

Just that. DD wears boots - similar to Piedro but higher and with more support, now 6yo and too big for a buggy in all senses, would not put her through the humiliation of putting her in one now, although we still did last summer as she';s small for her age. Since we've stopped using a buggy it's more noticable how far she can (can't) walk. DS1 has ASD and the combo is hideous at times. He gets LRM. I don't want to apply for mobility for dd as she is only restricted in distance and has no other issues. However, blue badges would be a godsend.

I think that it will be a difficult argument to make, to be honest. Mobility component of DLA more or less compulsory for children in my experience.

Is her mobility over distances likely to improve? Just asking, as my experience of children/young people with CP is that walking can sometimes be more difficult as they get older.

If that is a possibility, then maybe it is worth thinking about applying for mobility component now. In fact, it is a mobility issue, as her mobility is limited by distance.

Apply to the local council citing all your difficulties with both children. They can only say no so its worth a go!

Just that I feel like we shouldn't be applying for mobility for her. She has a combo of conditions that result in the problems and we are certain that she will need current style ortho boots for at least another two years before any of the support can be reduced. Recently had to get more support in them as her condition has worsened, not enormously but enough to give us a few more difficulties and have her screaming after we went out on a trip anywhere, museum, shops, castle, anything really. On holiday it's an absolute nightmare because there is so much you want to see but she can;t go far That said, she can walk way further than the qualifying for mobility, and I am more than grateful for that.

I would get a dr/nurse/HV to add a supporting letter if poss. We got a blue badge for my ds on medical grounds at 6mths even tho they generally are only available from age 2.

You are best placed to know, but remember you could apply for the mobility component now, and then not need it in a couple of years.

I agree re applying to LA, but often the discretion is shown to children under 2, IME. That said, do as nightcat suggests.

It sounds like it is very difficult for you all at the moment, and your DD is missing out. Have you considered a SN needs buggy/chair for when she can't walk. As I know, even a BB doesn't guarantee a short distance to get where you want to go.

We got a blue badge for DD1 before she was eligible for mobility. It was on the grounds of unsafe walking and lack of danger awareness. We had to appeal, because they said it wasn't a physical difficulty. But I appealed by stating that it was her brain malformation that caused her difficulties, so therefore, even if the effect was non-physical, the origin was physical.

hI there, my son has had a blue badge since he was three, his now seven, my son couldnt walk at all for two years, i would of been lost without my blue bladge, there are alot of good things that come with blue badge, you can park right in the front of car parks, plus you can take badge abroad as well
dont no if that

I have just had a blue badge for DS1, he is 4 with ASD / LD. He can walk but often wont!!! He has no sense of danger and is liable to run off. I took all the info I could gather and went into the council (with DS) to apply. I honestly expected to have a fight on my hands and didn't expect to get it straight away.
I came away with the badge and it was no problem at all.

Hi cwtch4967 we have just had our bluebadge application for our 3 year old son with ASD turned down and the reason seems to be because we have not applied and got what they call HMRCDLA (I presume this is higher rate DLA). We do in fact have a DLA application in but its still being considered. We applied for a blue badge on the basis that our son will only walk short distances although there appears to be no reason why he cannot, and also as he is so unsafe outside due to running in the road etc. I was just going to leave the blue badge application and not appeal (or at least wait until the DLA is decided) however I wonder if I should appeal now?

Thanks

Richmond

Hi, we appealed for a BB for our son as he has behavioural/lack of danger awareness/limit on distance able to walk and we asked GP for a letter of support outlining all difficulties. He did not qualify for BB then, he does now as older and all issues still there, but we were awarded BB. I am not sure if we would be successful now as the rules seem to be changing. Maybe ask for a medical letter of support when you apply to council.

It really does seem to vary from area to area - maybe I was lucky. Must be worth an appeal though.

Thanks I will see about getting a letter of support from GP.

Richmond

Me too, it sounds like good advice. Assuming it doesn't cost a fortune, obv.

You can certainly apply for a BB without receiving/applying for DLA.

It does seem to depend on the authority whether they'll grant it though. If you're not in receipt of HR DLA (which automatically qualifies you for a BB) then they will write to your GP and possibly other health professionals for supporting evidence.