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Blue Badge Holders, Help And Advice Please.

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Tilly2 | 18:16 Sat 13th Jun 2015 | Health & Fitness
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I have just spent an hour or so filling in an application for a Blue Badge for my Dad. I didn't have the guidance notes and have filled it in to the best of my ability. He has no benefits apart from Industrial Injuries Benefit.

I found the section about his walking ability particularly difficult. He can only walk short distances around his home, with the aid of a frame. I have no idea how far he could walk. I have had to imagine if he could walk the length of a double decker bus, or a tennis court and I have no idea how long it would take him to do it.

Should I just go for the minimum or state that he cannot walk at all, without help. If I take him out we have to take a wheelchair and I find it difficult to lug it in and out of the car and push him around, as I'm no spring chicken!



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Could you ask the people in the Home for help with it, Tilly?
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I could try, Sibs, but I doubt that they could be very specific about how far he could actually walk.

It's a good idea though. I will ask on Monday. Thank you.
With a frame he can walk in his home. Put down 20feet. He will assessed in a test centre.
Or his doctor?
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He will have to go for a test will he, Tambo? His social worker has not mentioned that to me.

Doc only sends recommendation but council do testing & issue blue badges.
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His doctor's useless, Sibs. He only ever sees him in an emergency situation. His doctor is the 'home doctor' who does lots of 'over the phone' consultations!
Councils do it all.
Is there space for you to add that he doesn't walk at all outside as he needs to use a wheelchair?
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Oh! More mitheration then, Tambo.
When I did one for my Mum I said that she could not walk at all without help as she needed a frame or someone holding tightly to her arm at the time. That was a few months before we needed wheelchair.
Sounds like you are in the position I was in a couple of years ago, I cannot get Mum out at all now, so there should not be any problem in getting the badge. From posts have seen on here Tilly I believe we are under the same Borough Council.
I would put that he can only walk short spdistances with a frame. Anything longer would require a wheelchair, especially for a distance of a tennis court. I don't think they will test him as such.
I have one for COPD, as am on ventalin
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Yes, there is hc, and I have written that. However, you have to state how far he can walk, if he can and for how long.

Put not at all
Fill in form, get doc to sign or covrring letter & post to council.
Are you (or, more importantly here, your father) in Norfolk, Tilly? Or have I got you mixed up with someone else here? I ask because the forms seem to vary a bit between different councils.

However, if I've got the right county, here are the guidance notes:
http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/view/NCC116350

I'd probably just put '5 metres', since that would get him (say) across a typical living room and perhaps out into the hallway. (If you think he could manage a bit more then 10m might be a better answer).

However, as you'll see from the notes, it's permissible to indicate the number of steps (rather than a distance), together with a rough indication of the time taken and information about the style of walking (e.g. 'shuffling').
As someone has said put - 20 feet (with a walking frame).

Then in extra comments - cannot walk outdoors and requires a wheelchair.
Without meaning to be rude or offensive, shuffling across a room with a frame is not walking, in my opinion.
As you wish, but unless it is 100% true - I would advise against putting 'not at all'.

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