Franny Lee's Barrel Chest
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 23 Aug 2005
- Messages
- 4,311
Sorry if already posted.
Looks like the Blue Badge scheme has had a major overhaul with both the badge itself and the criteria to get one being overhauled. Apparently the new style badge is more secure and unable to be forged. And the criteria for getting one would appear to have been made a lot tougher as well. My dad has one, on account of his not being able to walk very far owing to arthritis and breathing problems and angina. However, under the new scheme, looking at the criteria, when he comes to renew next year, he may not qualify! Even though he's 80!
I accept that the lame and lazy shouldn't get them. And there's plenty of abuse, I think about 40% was mentioned somewhere. And I see plenty of Range Rovers, Mercs and Jags with them in, which seems a little ironic, but there are plenty of people who, on the face of it, do suffer from ailments which you would think will qualify, although it seems the new criteria might prevent them getting one now.
But here's a point; If you're in a wheelchair, you will most certainly qualify, but actually, once you're out of the car and in the chair, you can potentially walk or wheel for some considerable distance, so why do they appear to be more deserving than someone "able bodied" who, although they can walk, can't for more than a few yards without needing a rest? It's often been a bit of a conundrum for me that one. Must park near the door because they have a wheelchair. I wouldn't think they're more likely to get run over in the car park than, say an infant in a buggy...
Tin hat but it's a genuine question. I must be missing something somewhere. I was with someone once who had a blue badge owing to a broken neck injury and couldn't walk much. Someone rolls up in the adjacent disabled space who then got out with their carer and got the wheelchair out. When they gave a look of indignation, obviously not knowing my cousin's circumstances, I made the point that once they were in the chair they could (and probably did) walk (and be wheeled) miles. They had no answer...
Looks like the Blue Badge scheme has had a major overhaul with both the badge itself and the criteria to get one being overhauled. Apparently the new style badge is more secure and unable to be forged. And the criteria for getting one would appear to have been made a lot tougher as well. My dad has one, on account of his not being able to walk very far owing to arthritis and breathing problems and angina. However, under the new scheme, looking at the criteria, when he comes to renew next year, he may not qualify! Even though he's 80!
I accept that the lame and lazy shouldn't get them. And there's plenty of abuse, I think about 40% was mentioned somewhere. And I see plenty of Range Rovers, Mercs and Jags with them in, which seems a little ironic, but there are plenty of people who, on the face of it, do suffer from ailments which you would think will qualify, although it seems the new criteria might prevent them getting one now.
But here's a point; If you're in a wheelchair, you will most certainly qualify, but actually, once you're out of the car and in the chair, you can potentially walk or wheel for some considerable distance, so why do they appear to be more deserving than someone "able bodied" who, although they can walk, can't for more than a few yards without needing a rest? It's often been a bit of a conundrum for me that one. Must park near the door because they have a wheelchair. I wouldn't think they're more likely to get run over in the car park than, say an infant in a buggy...
Tin hat but it's a genuine question. I must be missing something somewhere. I was with someone once who had a blue badge owing to a broken neck injury and couldn't walk much. Someone rolls up in the adjacent disabled space who then got out with their carer and got the wheelchair out. When they gave a look of indignation, obviously not knowing my cousin's circumstances, I made the point that once they were in the chair they could (and probably did) walk (and be wheeled) miles. They had no answer...