I rang my local council yesterday...

[Dingle]

....to make yet more enquiries about a blue badge.
Previously they told me that I could ONLY get one if Amelia was getting mobility component of DLA.

Well I thought I would give it another go, as I still haven't got my DLA forms sorted! I advised them that she has to wear AFOs and has now got a major buggy...and surprise....oh no she doesn't necessarily need to be getting DLA mobility!!! They have now told me that is a child is getting the mobilty part of DLA, then that automatically qualifies them for a bagde.
Otherwise you can apply by completing an application form.

I suppose it's just the luck of the draw as to who picks up the phone. On the 2 previous occasions I enquired, they were adamant that Medway would not give out ANY blue badges unless DLA was being received!

Still, we are one step closer! Just got to get the application form sorted and then wait for the relevant "medical proffesional" to supply more evidence!

Who do I put down to support the evidence. I am worried that if I put everyone, then I will be waiting ages before this is sorted.

Do I put down;
Peadiatrician- has seen since Sept
Pyhsio- just about to retire
Orthotist- not seen since November
GP- not seen for god only knows how long
HV
Portage
Learning disbility team

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shall I go on???

Dingle does your child get high rate care? what age is your child and what DX ? i may be able to send you a copy of my sons dla stuff that was done when he was four although he has autism so may not be any good, cat me if you want

Yes onlyjoking she does, but that expires when she is 4 at the end of October. She has DS.
Do you feel that much of your would be relevant? MandM is sending me a copy of her form! If anything I feel I have too much info to put down in the small confines of the form boxes! It's just condensing all the info that I feel I will have trouble with, I feel as if I am writing an essay for each page!

well i think it would be very useful as the welfare rights bloke did it for me and he knows all the right phrases that the DLA folks looks for

If you are sure it wouldn't be putting you to too much trouble then onlyjoking! There is no rush as we are away for a while- damn form filling will still be hoovering over me while we are on our hols- but it will give me something to "look forward to" when we get back.

I will CAT you my details anyway, and just let me know if you've managed to copy it.

Thank you for all your help.

Dingle, you should get higher rate mobility. We do and my dd with DS does not have orthotics or uses a Major, though at the time I applied she'd only just started walking. I also put a lot about the behavioural stuff in my mobility application, I'm sure it helped. Good luck!

geekgrrl, what age did you get DLA mobility from then? Did you get the higher rate at 3?

yes, we were sent the renewal form when dd was 2.6 yrs old and have been reiving it since her 3rd b'day , it'll run out when she turns 8.

'receiving' even and 2.5 years! fat fingers today...

dingle i have sent the dla stuff, my youngest got mobility at four until 16 my girls got it at five which has been reviewed but one girl got it from 8 til 16 at high rate other girl got low rate from 8 til tweleve which means i will be doing hers again soon, deep joy

Got back from our hols to find a message on the answer phone from dd's Paediatrician. They have a report to complete from the council regarding Amelia's blue badge claim and have moved her appointment forward from September to the end of this month!!!
Don't know how I really feel about this, whaether or not to be pleased or angry that that all the documentation I provided just seems to have been ignored!
Hey ho!!! It's off to fight we go..hey ho hey ho..

WE have Amelia's paediatric assessment this afternoon!! Really doubting myself now, am I just a useless mum or does she deserve a blue badge?

AT long last I completed the dreaded DLA forms last night too. I have got the "professionals" to complete their sections so all I need to do now is scan it all in the PC!! I remember last time, the relief I felt whan it was posted, but now I really don't know how to feel.

Dingle - you know you are not a useless mum, you are far, far from it. Amelia fully deserves a blue badge (and her DLA for that matter) it's just so unfair that the powers that be make it so difficult and complicated to get what is deserved, that people end up doubting themselves - well don't!

Good luck with assessment this afternoon. Hopefully it will be easier to put your points across face to face rather than in wiritng anyway.

And congratulations re the DLA form completion - well done you!

BTW, completely unrelated, but do you use mulberry paper on your cards? And if so, will you be using it on your Xmas cards?

fgs dingle you are not a useless mum, its kent council that is useless. they drive me mad

OK, I know I know,, but I also know that it's quite natural to have guilt and doubts about your ability as a parent. I suppose what makes it worse for me, is the fact that she has developed so much in many ways, over the last 6 months. I don't mean to "rub anyone's nose in it!" IYSWIM, I know that is such a good thing. But I look back and see that she has progressed and then feel guilty for claiming!

I know I need to look at the wider picture, and compare her against other children of 3.5. I do that and it's just such a rollercoaster of emotions. I have always said, I will be proud of her achievements, however small and being forced to look at the negatives by the constant battles is just so very hard.

We just have so much going on ATM, I just can't switch off from it all. 2 appointment today, 1 on Thursday and the big team around the child meeting next Monday.

Mum is still in and out of hospital, the stereo has broken, last night's dinner was rescued by the combi microwave as the oven broke....been quoted £900 for builders to do the shed base for our new playhouse (that is being delivered and erected on 18th August!!!)

When will life calm down???Or am I living in a dream world!!

....oh yes, now my rant is over..I do use mulberry paper MandM, and I will probably use it on some of my xmas card designs too! Why??

£900 for a shed base seems mad...........we got a local odd job guy to do ours for £50 plus cost of cement. There must be a local person who could do this for you (it is not too tough)