I’ve recently been diagnosed with RRMS. When I am relapsing my walking is affected, but a permanent serious symptom I have is fatigue, which just washes over me with no notice sometimes when I am walking or standing. Obviously it would be really helpful to have a blue badge to be nearer shops for these reasons, but answering the relevant questions, as I can currently walk ok, I am not eligible. Is there any way round this or am I being unreasonable as I can actually walk most of the time, even if I have to stop if fatigue overcomes me?
If you get the higher level component of disability benefit or PIP, you will probably get one more easily. I know I did. Get in touch with your local council, I think if you go to gov.uk you can input your postcode which will take you to your relevant council authority and apply from there. It’s worth a try, if you need it. There are plenty of folk out there who a use it, have it for a loved one, go shopping without them and still use the disabled spaces. Very frustrating. Infact that happened to me yesterday, I had to park quite a way away, then saw someone in tesco who has one for her husband but shops without him and took up a disabled space I really could have done with. Was only in there to get a couple of bits, but my legs were giving way…pee’d off was I. Try and get one…good luck! J x
Thanks for your reply, I don’t get any benefits, and as I can currently walk I don’t think I qualify as the form doesn’t take account of fatigue. It must be frustrating to find the places full of able people just nipping in to get shopping on their own.
I filled in the form recently for my Gran - I think there was a section at the end for additional information and you could use that to tell them about fatigue.
I was diagnosed with RRMS back in October. I am still waiting for my pip claim decision but was advised to apply for a blue badge anyway,which I did and was granted it. I have had 4 relapses since September so I am very active but my main thing is my walking (although I can walk I use crutches and can only walk short distances) and fatigue. I decided to go for the badge anyway and was honest with my application. So I would say give it a try,what have you got to lose.