Driving with MS: Getting a blue badge

Hello @Madmax1‍, thank you for opening this discussion. That's great news for your blue badge! I know sometimes the process can be lengthy and frustrating, so that's such great news!

What about everyone else? Do you still drive? Have you applied and been granted a blue badge? What was the process like? Does anyone have any tips or experiences to share?
@nazza91‍ @Caz1979‍ @billyjon‍ @Priya1988‍ @NicolaS‍ @Rach115‍ @JoLynn‍ @Leicester-City-Fan‍ @Franran3‍ @niamhobroin2021‍ @Byojaxs‍ @alexab‍ @AnneLH‍ @Trumpmercy‍ @NaClearth‍ @LIBBYSMUM10‍ @volvof88‍ @James-S‍ 

Feel free to share any experiences or advice here!

Take care,
Courtney

Hi everyone unfortunately iv not been able to drive for over 3yrs but having blue badge will be great for hospital appointments etc. Making it more accessible for my hubby to park nearer places I need to get too. Less stress all round

I was refused a licence as I failed the eye test part but I do have a blue badge. It really does come in useful as even in “good” days I have to wear a splint because of dropfoot. I hate the looks I get with it though and more then once either my husband or myself has been verbally attacked almost because I’m “too young” to need one and because I’m “not really disabled” as I don’t have a wheelchair 🤦‍♀️ #idiotseverywhere

Having an orange badge in 1975, then a blue badge(can't remember date) was a follow on. I've lived in Wales since January 1981 & still had a new blue badge every 3 years. This time, I sent in my details after receiving a circular letter to renew. Weeks past, then was told I need to fill in a form. What a lengthy form & many pages(felt I was going through PIPs again). My badge ran out last week17th August. I'm still filling in the form as they want full details of my disabilities, operations, they need OT reports, drs hospital I've no idea how much more I have to find, I've had a weekend break, & by just typing this, I'm already weak, nervous & stressed. They want the back of my license scanned, but it scanned like an ink blob over details. So have to travel 38 miles, just to take my form, drivers license, my disabled parking badge, which I won't be able to put in window since I have to give in. I also need my passport, I've only have an out dated one ended 2007. I can't take any more of this mental, as my memory due to ms is awful. I've lost most of my 1st language BSL, my English & now my Welsh language. I'm progressive ms, but still independent. I now enjoy just being at home but do go occasionally shopping with my training assistance Dog just one year old a week ago, I spend a great deal of time with her, the housework, which my 40 year old daughter does nothing except sleep here & washes/dries her things, as she says she has no time to help me, even on her day off she goes out early & comes back late to have her cooked meal I'm expecting to cook everyday for her.

@HazelRutter I think you need to give your daughter a good talking to. I am 41 have rrms diagnosed 11 years ago I live alone but help my parents and grandparents with lots of things I also work full time. She should help you and not expect you to cook for her. Xx

I have been trying to renew my badge during covid unsuccessfully it ran out august last year but the local council haven’t been working properly so no one available to renew it meanwhile I have been struggling for over a year without one.