Walking sticks? Blue Badge
 

I have been just been assessed and approved for a blue badge. During the assessment process I was asked if I use a walking stick, I answered no, because I didn't think one would really help my walking ability - or would it?


My most regular issue seems to be my BP diving when I walk and the resultant dizziness. I have to stop and find somewhere to sit, or lean on something until I recover. Then I suffer from claudication, where my blood supply to my legs simply cannot keep up with the need in my legs. I also suffer with my hip joints stiffening, or seizing to the point where it becomes a fight to move my legs.



My reading up on the subject, suggests a stick can help, where there is a problem with one side. I suffer on both sides, so might a stick help or not?


I put in the application for the BB with no real expectation of one being granted. I could find no detailed criteria for how bad you need to be. The suggestions were that I might need to lay it on a bit thick, but I'm no actor - I aware of some who have spent their lives acting.


It was just a matter of completing a paper or online application form, then waiting for an assessment appointment to come through, giving them permission to check your medical and other records. The actual assessment was a quick chat to explain the problems you were having getting around and how a BB would help.



I explained I could get around the house without any issues, that I could usually get to the bus stop 100 yards away without issues, but (for example) the supermarket just a quarter mile away I really struggle to walk to and from there. Instead I wait for and take two different buses.


For the physical assessment, I warned the assessor I would easily out pace her for a short distance. I did, until I went slightly dizzy twice on the short course and had to slow down :eek:



Assessment on the 8th last Monday, the 'granted letter' dated 9th arrived last Saturday. All much slicker and more straight forward than I expected.



My surgery's Patient Record suggests that no applications have been made to check my record. I doubt they would be able to check with my doctor in such a short time via the phone..

Two elbow crutches are going to help but the main problem is your BP you need to get it checked and probably meds to stabilise it.
Well done on the blue badge front, I couldn’t get mine renewed as I can walk 10meters with my crutches. Now I had taken my chair as access to the Council office leaves a lot to be desired.
I was declined my blue badge that I have had since I broke my back as the councils threshold is now 5 meters with crutches.
I guess up here in Renfrewshire they have a new boy in charge.
Alan


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Oh, I'm not that bad as to even consider crutches. I have pointed out my meds for high BP are causing my BP to sometimes dive when my body needs more blood, to the doc. A 48 hour monitoring, noticed none of the issues, but when I feel dizzy and check, my BP has certainly taken a dive. So the doc is ignoring it as an issue.



I was much, much worse 2 months ago, when I first came out of hospital after that major oesophagus bleed and all the blood loss. I didn't quite realise how weak, ill and dizzy I still was, and was constantly over doing it, then having to sit down at the slightest effort.



I have not been able to find any actual distance you need to be limited to, for a BB. 5 metres seems a bit (lot) extreme. A local BB owner for decades has suggested they are tightening up, simply because of the local parking issues the BB's are causing and the loss of income to council car parks.

Good to hear you got your badge without too many problems Harry.
Unfortunately if you're being assessed by your local council the eligibility criteria can be different from council to council and also which part of the UK you live in ;)

http://https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/blue-badge-disabled-parking-scheme-eligibility-review/blue-badge-scheme-consultation-on-eligibility

Russ

How true !!
Kev.

There should be absolutely no difference between areas of the country. That maybe explains why I couldn't find any absolute criteria for having a BB, only generalised ideas.

A single stick CAN be helpful, you won't know until you try. . . . . . (speaking from bitter experience here) at least it helps if you have to pause without a seat, you can lean on it!!

It is a lot easer today to get the Blue Badge than it used to be. My wife is disabled and confined to a wheelchair. One test she had was to try and get on a double decker bus with-out help.. this was before they had buses that could lower to help people on and off.So inposable to do ,but she had to show them that there was no way would she could she get on still seating in her wheelchair..