Date: 09.04.2015
From: Eileen Key
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Subject: Blue Badge
Hello,
I had an MRI scan which showed the arthritis in my spine has caused the bones to thicken and the vertebrae are also out of alignment. This has narrowed the space the nerves travel through, causing burning pain and numbness travelling from the lower back, down both legs and into my feet.
Standing and walking is even more difficult than it was before.
Recently I was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer so had to stop taking anti inflammatory meds. Consequently pain in my hands and feet has worsened.
I was turned down for a blue badge for my car as I "don't meet the required criteria".
Sorry. Just HAD to have a rant. If I COULD jump through hoops, I wouldn't need a blue badge.
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Date: 09.04.2015
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
hi Eileen , talk to your GP for they can help , not sure the criteria as I get DLA but talk to your GP & try again , do some research into their criteria found this , hope it helps
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/consumer_driving_and_parking_e/consumer_driving_and_parking_for_disabled_people_e/consumer_the_blue_badge_scheme_e/who_is_eligible_for_a_blue_badge_w.htm
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Date: 09.04.2015
From: Eileen Key
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Hi Colin,
Criteria are the following:-
a) receives the higher rate of the mobility component of the disability living allowance pursuant to sections 37ZA and 37ZC of the social Security Act 1975. b) uses a motor vehicle supplied by the Department of Health and Social Security, the Scottish Home and health Department or the Welsh Office or is in receipt of a grant pursuant to sections 5(2)(a)of the National Assistance Act 1977(c) or section 46 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978(d) c)is registered as blind under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948(e) or, in Scotland, is a blind person within the meaning of section 64(1) of the act. cc) receives a mobility supplement under article 26A of the Naval, Military and Air Forces etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 1983(a) including such a supplement by virtue of any other scheme or order or under article 25A of the personal injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983(b) d) has a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
or
e) drives motor vehicles regularly, has a severe disability in both upper limbs and is unable to turn by hand the steering wheel of a motor vehicle even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob. Clearly, being in severe pain is not enough if you can actually walk.
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Date: 09.04.2015
From: sleekFox
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
If you can't walk without being in severe pain then you are entitled. It's all about how you answer the questions. I think the questions asks that very thing. Could you get some help to appeal from CAB or someone like that?
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: Eileen Key
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I'm not just accepting it. I am in the process of appealing.
The point is, there are many people who wouldn't or perhaps don't know how to go about it.
Good news is; this morning I received in the post an appointment with a consultant spinal surgeon so I'm hoping he will be able to do something to improve my condition.
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: lois
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Hi Eileen, make sure you let them know how difficult it is for you to walk. Good luck with the appeal. You will still need a blue badge even if you do have surgery. I hope all goes well at your appointment I feel for you I had spinal surgery for the same thing. Four years later my husband also had similar surgery for a slipped disc.
Keep your chin up. Take care x
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: Eileen Key
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Hello Lois,
How did your surgery go? How long did it take you to recover and how much difference did it make?
What are the risks?
Sorry I'm bombarding you with questions but I'm sure you would have had the same questions yourself.
Thanks for your comments. My chin is up, thanks and take care yourself.x
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: lois
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Hi Eileen, feel free to ask as many questions as you like. Having any surgery is a worry. I had terrible sciatic pain all down my leg some days I couldn't put my foot on the floor. This affected the way I walked and gave me a lot of hip pain.
I had guided steroid injections first they didn't work. Then I got to see a surgeon like yourself and I was in two weeks later.
The sciatic pain disappeared immediately the pain from the OA is still there but I take Tramadol and Co-dydramol. I have to say without the operation I don't know where I would be to-day.
My surgeon took some of the OA spurs away on my spine as they were all infringing on the spinal nerves. He said "unfortunately the OA is not curable and you will always have pain to some degree. The spurs can grow back and they probably will"
There are risks but your surgeon will discuss all of this with you. To be honest I couldn't wait to get the surgery done.
The recovery depends on each person. They say depending on what they do 2-6 weeks before returning to work.
I was discharged the next day. My husband was 48 hours. Back surgery very much depends on what degree of surgery you need. I hope this helps and doesn't sound scary. Take care and I am glad your chin is up. The Blue Badge business had me frowning I can't see why they would refuse you. It just doesn't make sense. I had my Blue Badge before my operation and was working so no disability allowance. Maybe the rules have changed it is all so confusing at times. Take care x
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: Eileen Key
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Lois, thank you. Frustrating is an understatement. You would think the team is spending its own money.
Meanwhile I have had other health problems resulting in my having to attend various departments.
The left hand of the NHS doesn't know what the right hand is doing and despite a slogan at the bottom of one of the many letters received which states "reduce, recycle, rethink", one department sent me 13 sheets of A4 paper, printed on only one side, giving me information about what to expect and asking for information about my health, medical history and medication as well as a map of where to go and directions.
I have to have the procedure repeated next month and today I received the same 13 sheets and I have to fill in the same questionnaire.
What a waste! Imagine how many times that happens in the course of a year and what the cost is, including envelopes and postage.
I also get telephone calls to confirm appointments.
Today my physiotherapist contacted me by phone to give me information I have already had, both verbally and in writing.
All that waste of time, money and paper makes me mad as hell. GRRR!
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: Ella
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
What is a blue badge ? I live in a village south of MK and the local Wyevale garden center has allocated nearly all the parking spaces to disabled only. I go there often as I love the peace and quiet. When I visit I cannot park in these spaces even though I find walking painful. What annoys me is that I have to park a long way away and then observe hugely obese people ( their warrant for disability ) parking in these spaces. Surely it would make sense for the obese not to be allocated spaces closer to where they need to walk to ? Am I being un P.C ?
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: sleek fox
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Obese people could be that way because their conditions mean they can't exercise. My mum was overweight due to severe osteoarthritis which meant she couldn't exercise at all, even after her knee replacements, which were done too late. Just be aware that people's disabilities are not always apparent. You should apply for a blue badge yourself if you are unable to walk :)
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: Ella
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Sleek Fox no one has to be fat even without exercise. You consume the calories you need. If you are sedentary you use less energy, therefore you eat less.
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: Sleek Fox
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
If only life were that simple, Ella. I can't judge other people. I have my own imperfections.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: Eileen Key
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I wouldn't say I am obese but being unable to go out walking as I used to, I am definitely putting on weight even though I eat far less than I used to.
Ella, you are out of order judging people the way you did.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: Ella
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I am not referring to people with genuine disabilities, Im talking about people that are allocated these badges on the grounds that they are fat and nothing else. I am not making judgements, I said I live in a village and I know most of these people.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: lois
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Oh Dear Ella, this forum never judges any one that is why people are unhappy with your comments. We support everyone on here Fat Thin and indifferent. No one is perfect!!!!
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: sleek Fox
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
People get badges because they have mobility difficulties. Their weight is irrelevant.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: Ella
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I stand by what I said , I think people that have mobility issues caused by consuming too much food,and not because of an illness, should not be given badges.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: sleek Fox
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Hmmm, what about those people who have engaged in dangerous sports and have had an accident, or those who smoke (you do know that smoking is indicated as a cause of Rheumatoid arthritis?) and have mobility issues due to that, or someone made disabled by a car accident that was their fault? There must be a nice view up there on your moral high ground.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: Ella
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I believe the same should apply to smokers too actually. As for accidents, well that is totally different. Obesity is not an illness and it doesn't happen by accident , its just plain gluttony and greed. I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: lucy
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I think being obese CAN sometimes be caused by illness, some people have eating disorders that make then eat too much and some eat very little, both are mental illnesses. Thyroid problems can cause weight gain and overuse of steroids can cause weight gain, as can depression. Everyone that is overweight is not a glutton, Ella, although some people are just greedy. I am more concerned about the people that use other people's badges or keep them when a relative passes away or just is plain ignorant and parks in a disabled bay without a badge. A girl parked beside me yesterday and jumped out her car and ran into the shop and no badge displayed.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: lucy
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
ps. I agree that people shouldn't get a badge because rhey are fat but if they have problems walking because they are fat then I think they are entitled to a badge.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: Ella
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Lucy I am aware that illness and medication can cause obesity and for those that it does, then they should receive all the help they need. Those that choose to eat in excess should be allocated diet sheets not parking permits. Growing up in the 70 and 80s, it was a rarity to see a fat person whereas now days its rarer to see a slim person. I cant see how the NHS can sustain itself with the enormous cost of treating these people.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: lois
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Ella, Smokers Alcoholics Drug dependants Anorexia Obesity self harmers and many more are more often than not mental illness. What are you saying don't help them.
The NHS is for every one and so it should be. How would you feel if someone in your family or circle of friends was dying and they said sorry He/She is too fat or smokes ect to help albeit they haven't had much of a life. Please don't say you would agree because I just would have such a hard time believing you.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: sleek fox
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Luckily, people's medical records are confidential so you'll never know why some of those people are obese, or who smoked, or who took up a risky sport, the consequences of which might cost the NHS and society a fortune, or who drove their car dangerously and had a life changing accident. Luckily, you are not allocating blue badges based on a fatuous moral judgement. . Spiteful doesn't even cover it. I would like to add that your original comment is trolling and has disrupted Eileen's thread.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: Karen
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I think you are a troll Sleek fox. You are forever accusing people of trolling when you don't agree with them. Its incredibly rude and offensive and I believe you have been in trouble on this forum before for doing it .Not every one has the same opinions as you do. I think Ella has made some very good points.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: sleek fox
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Hi 'Karen' nice to see you popping up again!
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: Anne
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Yes, it wasn't too long ago that another thread was hijacked. I think Ella wants to be the "Katie Hopkins" of the forum. Some will love her and some will hate her, but it makes it all a little more interesting.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: S.Stirrer
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
What about criminals, Ella? should they get treated on the NHS or is it just fat people and smokers that you would exclude? I'm just wondering where we would draw the line. Sorry to keep it going s/f and lois but I find this topic interesting and I bet you both do read this.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: Ella
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I think everyone should be treated on the NHS , even criminals, my argument wasn't about getting treatment , it was about getting parking permits ! According to a study carried out by the Mayo clinic, a history of obesity puts women at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The obese have higher levels of Leptin , a hormone produced by fat cells. This hormone alters the immune system and triggers inflammation.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: S.Stirrer
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
To be fair, Ella, you did say "How was the NHS going to sustain itself with the enormous cost of treating these people" I think you meant all the fatties by saying "these people" I get a bit fed up reading about the studies they do and then they come up with things that are not certain, all it does is makes people feel they have caused things themselves and that isn't always true. I was underweight when I was first diagnosed with RA so their theory doesn't fit with me. I do believe people should do their utmost to maintain a healthy weight and eat well but no one eats to get obese, they eat for other reasons.
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Date: 12.04.2015
From: S.Stirrer
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I apologise, Ella, after reading over your posts again I see that you just asked how the NHS was going to sustain itself, you didn't actually say that obese people shouldn't get treated. It was one of the other posts that I read that made me to believe you had.
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Date: 12.04.2015
From: Ella
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Apology accepted :0)
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Date: 13.04.2015
From: Eileen Key
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
And after all that, I'm STILL waiting for a decision on my blue badge application.
Funny how conversations can take a new turn. Very interesting reading all the comments. I know what my opinion is and I'm keeping it to myself.
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Date: 13.04.2015
From: Eileen Key
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Ella, just out of curiosity, have you ever applied for a blue badge? If so, I'd like to hear your experience and if not, maybe you should apply and come back to tell us how you get on. Good luck.
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Date: 15.05.2015
From: Paul
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
perhaps they was scared the badge would get eaten.
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Date: 15.05.2015
From: lois
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
Eaten?
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Date: 20.05.2015
From: Eileen
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Subject: Re: Blue Badge
I did finally get my blue badge after appealing.
I'm now on the list for an operation on my spine
(Lumbar decompression and stabilisation for degenerative spondylolesthesis and stenosis)
Quite a mouthful and I'm pretty scared but the alternative is to have this condition for life.
Hey ho!
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