Hi, my name is bassett22! Degenerative disc disease and blue badge

Annie22

Hello all . Following over 10 years of increasing problems with back pain I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease , hypertrophy/arthrotrophy in a number of discs and minor spinal stenosis.  I am 62 .
I have extreme pain most of the time , worse during or after walking any distance . 
 I also have difficulty getting in or out of the car . 
I have recently applied for a blue badge and they have come back and asked for evidence of medication that has been prescribed which isn't a problem but also how far I can walk using a walking cane and how long that takes me on a typical day . 
Like many people I don't have a typical day , sometimes I can't walk more than 50 metres   other days further . I am slow but how on earth do you measure this honestly and accurately. 
Any advice apart on the whole process would be appreciated. 

SueHeath

Hi @bassett22 welcome to our great group.
I do feel for you, i have the same sort of problems.
I haven't applied for a blue badge myself, but i should imagine it's very much like the pip questions, so you work out how many days you'd struggle. 

Cher_Alumni

Hello @bassett22 How are you doing?

It's tricky isn't it to work out how to respond to this question. When a person has a fluctuating condition, such as yourself, you need to consider how you are the majority of the time i.e. over 50% of a typical week. Bearing in mind, the question is focusing on how far you can safely walk.

This Age UK guide to filling in the blue badge form is worth a read; Plus the government's 'Who can get a Blue Badge webpage for a more general overview of the process.

Just to let you know, I've moved your thread to our Transport and travel category so it's more visible to members who might otherwise miss it.

Take care and please ask away with any questions.  

durhamjaide2001

Hi there welcome to the community my name is Jaide and I'm a member of Scope. I have problems with my disabled badge application. I don't know how long I can walk because it just depends and that's why it's so hard with benefits and things like that. I would suggest to go off because your more likely to get 1. If there's no no problem problem solving it if there's one pice of advice I can give you is to not to loose your disabled badge as it's really hard to get another one. 

poppy123456

durhamjaide2001 said:

 if there's one pice of advice I can give you is to not to loose your disabled badge as it's really hard to get another one. 

I don't know what you mean by that. The maximum period a blue badge is given for is 3 years and then you need to reapply.

If you automatically qualify because of a PIP mobility or DLA high rate mobility award then the length of your BB will be the same as your mobility award, if it's less than 3 years.

Eldiablo

Has anyone been issued a Penalty Charge Notice (ticket) for parking in a designated 
time-limited disabled parking place on the road because they have not displayed the Parking Disc (clock)