My blue badge is up for renew and my local council have now started a new application process for 2012 where we do not get our GP to complete the relevant sections to support your application. Ive just looked at the form an am really confused as to how I fill this in. I have RRMS so only really have problems with my walking when Im in a relapse. The form does not take this into account and am not sure how I go about answering questions like ‘how far can you walk without assistance’ and ‘do you use a walking aid’ etc. the questions go on and on… Do I answer them as if I am in a relapse? I feel like a fraud filling this in but at the same time know I need to use it throughout the year. Can anyone help with this please? Thanks in advance, Heather
The answer, Heather is that you only put down the worst case.
Do you have a stick? That is a walking aid. So maybe you only use it when you have a relapse - you still use it.
Follow this line of thinking. So you can only walk 10 metres at a time during a relapse - “10 metres, sometimes more” is a good answer to “how far can you walk?”
I had a Blue Badge when I could manage 2-300 metres (on a good day, with a stick) - now I can manage 50 metres with a stick, and maybe 5 without. For me, the big thing about a blue badge is that most disabled spaces are wider than normal, and I have great trouble getting in and out of a car even with the door wide open. In a narrow space it can be almost impossible.
If you have RRMS, you do not know if it will turn agressive in the next year - and then you will really need that Blue Badge. So, worst case, every time and every question.
Geoff
Hi all I have PPMS and my walking is my worst problem. I wondered how bad you have to be before you can get a blue badge? I read somewhere that if you can only walk 100 m or less then you are eligible. I can walk about 200 m with a stick before I need a rest, so is it not even worth applying? Thanks Teresa xx
Thanks so much for your reply Geoff. I will just fill it out as if Im in my last relapse. . The questions are so confusing as they also ask questions like ’ how far can you normally walk?’ I took that question to mean , how far can you walk when you are not in a relapse, but maybe im reading too much into the questions. Im sure my GP didnt take so much time in filling this out for me. Hopefully they will know RRMS will mean good and bad days.
Teresa, I think you should definintely apply for a blue badge if it means it will make your life easier to get about. Get the application on line and have a look… Who knows what this new year will bring.
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year! Best wishes Heather
Hi Teresa.
Yes you are entitled to a blue badge, you, as with the rest of us have a chronic illness which will not get better.
You say you can walk 100m or less, the less is the distance you put on the form, as Geoff said, you put your worse condition on the form.
You like me have PPMS, we don’t have relapses, but I am sure that some days are better than others for you, again on the form goes the worst days.
You can get your GP or MS nurse to second your form, just depends which knows your condition best.
If like me, my GP knows Jack s**t about MS, so I rely on my MS nurse.
Hope this is of help.
Take care.
Chris R.
I. El. (Eng). (Rtd).
I know its going to be a bad day when I get out of bed and miss the floor, today is such a day.
fill this out as though its your worst day
I had this diswcussion with my MS Nurse just before Christmas and she said to put down when things were the worst - I also have PPMS.
Talking to other people who know me and they can’t beleave I haven’t got one already;l just need a picture now to put the form in,
If you’re in receipt of High Rate Mobility DLA you automatically qualify as criteria for both are the same…Worst day advice is as unwise for Blue Badge application as it is for DLA.
I get it automatically because I get highest level of DLA.
However, it stays in my ‘glove compartment’ (when was the last time these had gloves in?!) when I’m feeling well enough to walk short distances. Perhaps you could do the same. That way your using it honestly and will feel better for the short distance you’re able to walk. But always use it if you need to, otherwise you’ll be ill and unable to get back to your car!
I get it automatically because I get highest level of DLA.
However, it stays in my ‘glove compartment’ (when was the last time these had gloves in?!) when I’m feeling well enough to walk short distances. Perhaps you could do the same. That way your using it honestly and will feel better for the short distance you’re able to walk. But always use it if you need to, otherwise you’ll be ill and unable to get back to your car!
Oh, idiot… ‘always read the question’ as my teachers used to say!! I completely misread your post… That doesn’t help you fill the form out, SORRY!
Fill it out regarding your worst day…
Hello everyone, I hope you enjoyed your X-Mas day. I have a question. I live in Birmingnam (West Midlands) & have heard on the grapevine that When it is time to renew my blue badge there will be a charge, regardless of my disability. I am not sure whether this depends on the health aurthority you live in, wheher it is a government initiative to get make money or whether this is just a rumour. I hope it is the latter. Can any body enlighten me please.
Thank you in advance SYLVIA
Hi guys Thanks for all your advice, Teresa xx
There has always been a small admin charge, not sure at this time what it is, if you go on line to your local council site, it should be there.
Take care. Hope this helps.
Chris R.
I. El. (Eng). (Rtd).
I know its going to be a bad day when I get out of bed and miss the floor, today is such a day.
Sorry, but stating your worst day condition, is very sound advice. This advice is given by all health professionals, plus the local authority advisors.
Do not play down your condition.
Take care.
Chris R.
I. El. (Eng). (Rtd).
I know its going to be a bad day when I get out of bed and miss the floor, today is such a day.
I’ll try again to reply to you Sylvia. I wrote a reply out after quoting your post, but I keep getting that flaming verification with those letters…whats all that about?? then my reply just kept disappearing. Anyway here it is taken from Directgov website…
The maximum fee for a local authority can charge for a Blue Badge will increase from £2 to £10.
The design of the badge will change to aid enforcement to make it harder to tamper with or forge.
You will be able to apply for a badge on-line through Directgov.
You will still be able to apply directly to your localauthority and you may still be asked to undergo a mobility assessment.
So the rumours were right!!
Take care
Jackie x
Hi all, I printed off the form but as of yet havent started to fill it out. I dont use it unless I have a bad day as would not want to take a place from someone who is more in need of the space. I live in Scotland and from 2012 my council will be charging £20 for each renewal of the badge. For any of you in the central belt, here is the link http://www.stirling.gov.uk/services/transport-and-streets/roads-and-pavements/roads-and-pavements-disabled-parking/disabled-people-parking-permits-blue-badge
Your GP does not have anything to do with filling in the form.
If you already receive Higher Rate Mobility component of DLA then you qualify a automatically but you still need to pay the £20. I fall into the Further Assessment part , thats when the questions get tricky. I sit down when I have a clear head to get this filled out as no doubt sometime in 2012, I’ll need it. Thanks for all your comments everyone. Happy New Year when it comes. Heather
Sylvia,
I received a letter from my local Kent County council stating that the cost of a Blue Badge will go up from £2 to £10 which I think is a good thing, and yes I agree always put your worst day on the form.
Janet.
Thank you every body who answered my query regarding the price of a BLUE BADGE when it is time to be renewed. I’m happy now I know it will only cost £10. I’m sure I will be able to manage that LOL
SYLVIA