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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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Original poster

Is this for Real? Cant believe my eyes!

21 replies

Merlot · 27/07/2005 09:33

Ds2 is rapidly approaching 2 and as he is not walking yet I have been advised to apply for a blue disabled badge for the car.

I googled it to see if I could find out where to apply and couldnt believe me eyes when I saw THIS! WTF!! The search is the one entitled Want a Blue Badge - get one, legitimately even if you are not disabled!

I cant believe something like this is allowed to exist! Is there anything that can be done?

OP posts:

Easy · 27/07/2005 09:43

Well, we live in a free society, where stuff like this can be publisheed.

It's up to the issuing authorities to be vigilant to the tactics suggested in the document, and clamp down on issuing Blue Badges only as a result of a medical report.

Agree with you tho', makes me too.

NotQuiteCockney · 27/07/2005 09:49

It is quite inflammatory. But I suspect that the tips in the book don't work. I went through to the link, and they're offering tips to get off speeding tickets etc etc. I suspect it's all just a big scam.

So, hopefully, they're just ripping off people who want to do dishonest things, which is ok by me.

Milge · 27/07/2005 09:53

Merlot, its my understanding that blue badges for non mobile kids aren't considered until they are over 3. May be different in your area, but that is what the SN HV told me

Original poster

Merlot · 27/07/2005 10:12

Easy - Agree, free society and all that, but think this sort of thing is just morally reprihensible - UNLESS of course it is a big scam making money out of unscrupulous people as suggested by NQC.

Milge - my understanding is, but as you say may be different for other areas, that you cant apply for mobility dla until the child is 3, but you can apply for a blue badge at 2.

I'm struggling with the concept of applying anyway - I dont feel particularly comfortable with the ideas of taking up a disabled parking space when I could put ds2 in his buggy (like the majority of other parents will be doing with their more able 2 year olds anyway) My problem is really that DS2 is the size of a 31/2 year old and is not even standing - so there are a few instances when it would probably be very useful.

I'll let you know how I get on

OP posts:

Dingle · 27/07/2005 11:27

Well as some of you may know I have recently applied for a Blue Badge for Amelia. (Now 3.9 and has DS) She does walk, but with hyperflexed knees and poor co-ordination, as well as the obvious issues associated with a learning disability. She now wears AFOs and has qualified for a major buggy.
Up until recently, my council wouldn't even consider her because of her age, although I am told, you CAN apply from the age of 2. I rang again a month or so ago, things were just getting so difficult for me, I simply hated taking Amelia out. I was over the moon that this time they even agreed to send out an application.

Yesterday, we had to have another paediatric assessment, so that our paediatrician can complete a report and send it back to our council for further consideration. So I am playing the waiting game now to see the outcome!

I do consider the morals of it all, and wonder whether or not I should have applied. But it's not just a case of getting her out the car and into a buggy that I find so hard, it is opening up the car door enough to physically lift her in, and fight with her, when necessary, to get her belt tightened. It the case of constantly coaxing her to walk, pick her up from the floor..etc..

I was absolutely amazed yesterday to fo find out she is now 109 cms tall!!That's the average height for a girl of about 5, but more shocking it is the average height for a girl with DS of 7!! No wonder I keep on bumping her head when trying to get her in the car!!!

Original poster

Merlot · 27/07/2005 11:45

Good Luck with your application Dingle - I agree, there's walking and there's WALKING iykwim!

OP posts:

geekgrrl · 27/07/2005 11:53

you can get a blue badge from age 2, Milge. We did when dd was just over 2 - as she obviously didn't yet receive DLA mobility she had an assessment with a physio instead. This is the case nationwide, it's not something councils can decide for themselves (but they may be ignorant of the rules as it's obviously not that common)

coppertop · 27/07/2005 11:57

I hope they pay out all that money for the book and then discover too late that it was a scam.

assumedname · 27/07/2005 12:00

Merlot - link doesn't work. Maybe someone's already done something about it?

Original poster

Merlot · 27/07/2005 12:03

I wish, assumed name, but I can still get through to it - unfortunately!

OP posts:

assumedname · 27/07/2005 12:06

I was surprised yesterday, to find that non-disabled people can get Radar keys for toilets. I thought they were strictly for people who needed them?

Fio2 · 27/07/2005 12:08

radar keys are only for disabled people surely?

wtf is wrong with people that they are so idle that the want to use disabled parking spaces and toilets

charliecat · 27/07/2005 12:11

They sell this type of info on ebay too..think its legal loopholes. Or thats what it looked like from the titbits they tried to reel you in with, stuff like, you cant get parking ticket if there are kids in the car? Didnt ever look into whether it was true or not.

Fio2 · 27/07/2005 12:14

IT IS ON THE TOP OF MUMSNET ADVERTS NOW!!!!!!!!!!

AS WAS AUTISM IS REVERSABLE EARLIER

SoupDragon · 27/07/2005 12:20

Coddy has a legitimate Radar key as a non-disabled person. She mentioned it on a thread once but didn't say why. There are, therefore, reasons for non-disabled people to have one.

The blue badge thing is disgraceful though - and to be one of the top placed searches (which I assume are paid for)! Surely Google have more sense than to allow illegal things there??

MNHQ

JJmumsnet · 27/07/2005 13:08

Sorry about the google ads. I've removed them from the SN topic. Can't say they've been working out too well.

Original poster

Merlot · 27/07/2005 13:12

Thank you - much appreciated

OP posts:

Fio2 · 27/07/2005 13:50

Thanks JJ, i cant belive merlot started this thread and the thing she linked to was being advertised just above the thread, bizarre Infact i thought it was one of my moments of insanity

Original poster

Merlot · 28/07/2005 09:06

Guess What?

I emailed a complaint to the publishers of THAT book and this is how they replied:

Dear Merlot,

Thank you very much for contacting us here at myHelpHub.com.

I am sorry to hear you feel this way. I assure you that we simply try to help people that are ENTITLED to that badge to get it easier.

Best wishes,

Alan, myHelpHub.com

Interesting that isn't it? - obviously it is all in the wording - maybe its a case of `we can help you get a blue badge even if you are not disabled (but you have to have a dependent that is! )

OP posts:

jenkins88 · 28/07/2005 09:43

If you had wrote and said you were offended by them helping drunk drivers avoid prosecution I wonder if they would have said:

'We assure you that we simply try to help people who are ENTITLED to drink and drive get away with it.'

What a dodgy company!

coppertop · 28/07/2005 12:04

"to get it easier"???! For £17.95 I'd hope the grammar in the book was better than the e-mail!

What a complete cop-out! Grrr!

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