Does anybody know if you can get temporary disabled badges (for when you have a broken leg, or something) or are they only for those with permanent disablility?

As far as I know they are for long term disability rather than short term

Melody :)

B****r!!! :)

Nope you can't :( I was on crutches for 4 months and I'm still of work after 6 months but can't get any help with mobility (although it's not too bad now)
Joan :)

I suppose it stops people abusing the system (that makes me mad) , but it would certainly help the genuine sufferers. Oh well.

(Hope you'll be firing on all cylinders again soon, Joan!) :)

Park in the mother and child spaces. I do, although I do not have children. At times I have very bad pain in my heels and it hurts to walk. I would never use a handicapped space, but the mother and child spaces are a courtesy, not a necessity, so I have no guilt about using them.

In fact, it aggravates me that in most supermarkets it is impossible for someone without a handicap or a child to park anywhere near the store. Again - no quarrel at all with handicapped spaces!

Stacey

I've got to have an operation on my foot next week and will be in plaster for 6 weeks, which is why I was wondering. I'm concerned how I'm going to get from the carpark at the NEC to the Arena next Sunday to see James Taylor....I'm not missing that for anything, even if I'm popping the painkillers throughout! :D

If you contact your local Red Cross, you may be able to hire a wheelchair for a donation.

Daisy

Give the NEC a ring, I have attended many events there and sometimes they run curtesy buses that will take you from your car park to the Arena and back again. They are very helpful people in the NEC offices.
Karen

Thanks Karen, I'll give them a ring. They might be able to tell us where we can park a bit closer, without having to use the bridge (I don't think I'll be up to managing steps by then!)

Stacey , the mother and child spaces are deliberately wider than the normal parking spaces to enable a parent who is struggling with a baby or toddler , a pushchair or car seat and shopping enough space to put things down safely besides the car rather than at the back where they can get hurt

They may not seem a necessity to you , but my sister who has 3 young children would be extremely miffed to find someone parking in those spaces who doesn't have children

I suffer from a dicky knee and back , but would never take up a space reserved for others

Melody

Stacey :)
Please don't get me wrong but have you ever tried to get a baby/toddler out of a normal car parking space? I get so frustrated when I see people using them who dont have little ones. I don't use them anymore because my boys are 9 & 4 but I get so frustrated when I see people taking up these spaces. In my local supermarket there are 10 out of the 12 disabled spaces free all the time.

Mothers with small babies/toddlers are just as much of a necessity as disabled people. I know I have been there :rolleyes:

Ali

My disabled friend had the bones of her leg fused together when she had gngrene in the knee from a fall. this means her leg does not bend.

She has on occasions been in tears unable to get into her car, as another driver has parked too close. she needs to open the car door wide in order to get in! The wider disabled and child spaces are a necesity!

I agree with Melody, mother and child spaces may not seem a neccessity to someone without children but believe me if you had a child you would think them more needed. At my local supermarket there are at least 20 disabled parking spaces but only 10ish mother and child spaces, from my experience there are more mothers with children at any one time in the shop than there are disabled people (judging by the amount of disabled parking spaces that are free). I also find that if I cannot park in the mother and child spaces and have to park in the normal spaces people park thier cars too close to yours so that you cannot get the baby car seat back in the car without banging the side of their doors with yours.

Mother and Baby spaces are an absolute neccessity. If I were to take my baby shopping and it was tipping it down with rain or icy then I would not be happy to have to struggle out of the car in a narrow space, walk halfway accross the carpark to the trolleys, while single persons just jump straight out and wander in. Sorry - but I'm totally with Melody and others.

Looks like you need a bit of support on this one, Stacey ! If I had a walking problem like you, I wouldn't have any qualms about using one of the parent/child places. As you say they are provided by the store purely as a courtesy gesture. Your need sound equally justified to me :)

why not use the disabled spaces and just put a note in the window? thats what i would do and i am sure no-one would begrudge that - especially if you avoided peak busy periods? :)

I called the NEC and they were very helpful - said explain to the man at the gate (if necessary wave the crutches at him) and park in the disabled car park. I'd better leave plenty of time, though - I don't think I'll be up to racing speed by then! :)

I don't understand why your driver can't drop you off and then go and park. I presume you will not be driving with your leg in plaster :)

He's a rotten navigator - I might never see him again!!! :D

Its just that you say this is an outing that you are desperate not to miss so perhaps you might be moved to hear that my mother who was in a wheel chair for the last few years of her life missed one or two outings herself when my father was unable to find an available space that would allow her to actually get out of the car (often the cars occupying these spaces were not displaying disabled stickers) and having had a leg in plaster myself for 3 years I know that are lots of ways round this sort of thing without impinging on facilities provided for those who can't find a way round it. If your driver cannot navigate the NEC car park I suspect you will not make it there anyway :)

I quite agree that people who aren't disabled and abuse the system are rotters. That is why I want to find a legitimate way of doing it! :)

I know that, a few years ago, in some areas of the country, hospitals did indeed issue temporary disabled badges. I was originally asking if this system still operated.

If you get hold of a temporary sticker you will still be taking a space from someone permanently disabled I just feel if I was being taken by an abled bodied driver I would not feel able to do that, but of course its up to you.

You obviously feel as intensely about this as I do about people who park on double-yellows (with or without disabled badges) and block the traffic. But that's another story, and I think life's too short to get that heated! :)

My husband has been disabled since 1994, the town where we live has limited parking for disabled, and many times we have arrived in the market square seven miles from home, driven round for 30 to 40 min. found no parking disabled parking spaces and had to return home, without even getting out of the car,some day you drive round, then see someone coming out of the bank or a shop running over to the car and drive off,we waited for some people for 20 mins with no badge displayed they came back so I could get him out of the car I politly told the people the spaces were for disabled, only to be told if he was that bad he should stay at home then I would have no problem,one jumped into the diabled parking space we were waiting for as another car was vacating a a middle aged woman pulled in front of us grabbed the space, I point out to her these were disabled bays, she said do not worry I am only going into this shop be out in a min. I had already been driveing round in circle's for 20 min. It do's get frustating and It make my husband feel a burden and just wants to stay at home.sorry about the length of this but it is something close to my heart

I have a blue badge, and nothing is more annoying than to find the few reserved places parked up by people who are not displaying badges. I have enough trouble getting round our local "Safeway from Hell" without having to traverse the entire length of the car park before I get into the store.

It may well be that some of those who are parked there DO have badges, but they are required to be displayed prominently below the front windscreen. IMO, badge holders who do not display their blue cards are doing a disservice to all holders. Mis-use of a blue badge is an offence; mis-use of the spaces ought to be, too.

Did anyone see that silly program "Swag" last night? There was a short of a woman getting caught using a disabled space without a card - and there was nothing wrong with her.

Snorri
Twilight Zone
(and yes, I am entitled to choose my own food!)
:D

yes I saw swag, mind you I think she got off lightly myself. Dad that disabled here, he cant walk far at all due to heart condition and it makes me mad when some people, and I am not saying all, park in the disabled spaces, one even said I will only be two mins!, when I was looking at her with my not so happy look, I said something unprintable I am afraid, but she still ignored me and went shopping, I think they should be clamped and made to pay £50 to a suitable charity. that'd stop the blighters. <-much more printable word :D

I also agree with whats being said. My grandma is in a home, and she has a disabled pass, for when the family take her out. It is a nightmare parking as people just couldn't care less. I would never dream of parking in a disabled spot.
However, if i was trying to find a disabled spot, and there wasn't one, i would have no qualms about parking in a mother and child spot. Disabled people are much more in need of the spaces than parents.

and where do you then suggest that mothers and babies park? because someone who is not disabled takes your space, it doesn't automatically mean you have the right to force a mother with a newborn baby out of her slot.

incidentally, my parents look after my great aunt (98) and my grandad (88) and they don't use disabled stickers, despite my grandad who can hardly walk. they don't use disabled spaces or mother & baby spaces.... they leave them for those who *really* need them. just because a minority abuse the system does not mean you should go and treat everyone as if they do.

So are you saying that a mother with a baby should be more entitled to a parking space than someone with a disability?
You chose to have babies. A person who is disabled doesn't chose to be disabled.
It's down to choices i'm afraid.
As for your parents well thats their choice, but my grandma is more entitled to a parking space than a parent with a child.
How did people cope before parent and child parking spaces?

The only answer to that is "With great difficulty!"

I look enviously at the big spaces now and remember the cramped space, the twisting spine and the resultant lumbago from the old days!

:)

There is no *more entitled* about it. There are spaces for the Disabled and there are spaces for Mother and Child. ONLY the disabled and parents with children should occupy those spaces

How did the disabled cope before Disabled Parking Slots? It is a pointless question as there didn't used to be EITHER. :) More people drive nowadays , more people have cars nowadays and Superstores tend to out of town nowadays.

Both spaces are provided and should be used ONLY by the groups designated

Melody

I agree to an extent Melody, but the original post was discussing somebody who is having an op and will be on crutches - doesn't that count as a disability? I found that I could go to my local supermarket and park in a disabled spot while I was on crutches as long as I informed the customer service desk and gave them my reg no. They could then see that I was in need of a spot nearer the door and offered help. Once I came off crutches, about 2 months ago, I stopped using these spots and now park in a "regular" place.
Joan :)

Not according to the criteria laid down Joan , no . I do think that both parties , Disabled and Mother and babies spaces should be used by the people that they are designated for and not others.

If you read one of the posts above , it was said that the person should use a Mother and Child space. I disagree ..I think your solution is a good one , however , to inform the CS and give them your reg.

I am sympathetic , I suffer from sciatica sometimes and can hardly walk around the house let alone a car park , but if you need to go shopping then you have to..and to cover yourself as you did sounds very sensible

Melody :)

How is this for an idea. Supermarkets are always looking for ways of increasing Customer Service (profits :D ).

How about suggesting to your local Supermarket that they issue Temporary Disabled passes to be used in their disabled parking bays. These would be issued with an expiry date.

The supermarkets do not police these spaces Brainless, anyone at all can park there with or without a sticker, it is entirely up to the individual to decide if their need is as great as someone who has been issued a disabled sticker under the official scheme. I think the fat lady has well and truly sung on this one :) and I think we can just leave it for people to decide for themselves what they want to do.

Hi All
i have so far restrained from posting on this thread as my opinions on the mother and baby parking are quite strong, so i'm not going down that road.

Some supermarket chains are in the process of getting a proposal passed, that includes clamping of cars that are parked in disable designated spaces that are not clearly displaying a disibility badge. This would mean paying a release fee.

Alison

Why did you need a spot near the door, couldn't your driver drop you right by the door then go and park? I was in plaster for 3 years and I would never have taken a space from someone permanently disabled.

I am saying that both are entitled to use their OWN spaces.... if the mother & baby ones are full I don't go parking in a disabled slot! There are plenty of disabled spaces...if they are full, go at a time that is less busy - not impinge on something provided for someone else.

Blue badges are issued for a period of 3 years (or at least in Scotland) and are subject to review: the criterion is that the holder is assessed by his/her doctor as being disabled for at least as long as that.

Here in the TZ, our Safeway has 4 disabled spaces and 2 parent & child spaces. Our Co-op has neither. Particularly in the Safeway park, it is extremely annoying to find one of those few places occupied by an able-bodied person's car, regardless of how short a period that may be.

It is also wise to note that blue badges do NOT allow disabled people to park just anywhere - in fact, there are far more restrictions than the average person might think!

Snorri
Twilight Zone
(on high horse!)
:D

So next time I go to Asda with my husband mini oxygen tank and wheel chair, I am to drive round in circles untill a disabled place is available, while 2 parent perfectly healthy with one child pull into a space that is a available. I had 4 children my husband worked long hours I took all my children shopping by my self with no help and no child and parent places but in never killed me. Haveing to walk a few steps from car to wheel chair could kill my husband, what is he supposed to do sit at home and rot, because some twenty something year old has had a baby I DO NOT THINK SO.

Not all mothers are 20 something (I had 2 children when I was in my late 30's)

No one expects your husband to stay at home and rot

A lot of people have had 4 and more children and had no car (myself include - 5 children)

There are always extremes ...no one at any point commented on anything pertaining to your situation. The question of using Mother and Child Spaces was bought up (originally) for someone who did not have a Disabled Parking Ticket at all.

Please don't shout , we may be daft , but not many of us are deaf ..yet :)

Melody

Every single time, without exception, the disabled spaces at all of my local supermarkets are free. If you need more spaces, then I suggest you ask your supermarket to provide them. As Mel says, at no time did anyone mention your personal situation. There are people who abuse the situation on all sides.

Jeangenie,
What have you started :) ...and someone was complaining today that the board was quiet!

Okay, no you can't get a badge, so no you can't take disabled spaces at the side of the road. However, if like me, you would like to park comfortably when visiting a supermarket etc. where there are disabled spots, go into the shop and speak to the customer service desk. They should be happy to allow you to use the space.

To Isabel,
"disabled" (adjective) lacking one or more of the physical or mental abilities
We shall have to beg to differ on this one :) I believe that the definition above covers those that have difficulty in their mobility. If I choose to take the decision to park in a disabled spot - and the supermarket/shop are aware and happy for me to do so, then I don't see a problem. As for your comment about the driver dropping me off and going to park, I could say the same about 75% of disabled badge holders. Most of these badges are given to the carers of the people with the disabilities, as with Britney and her husband and as with my Mother who drove my Father about. I think the driver is relatively irrelevant to the argument, it is whether that vehicle is carrying a person with a disability. Happily, I am now able to move about relatively easily and so I now park in a "normal" space and no longer feel the need to class myself as having a disability.
Joan :)

I am sorry That I shouted but it is extremley upsetting and frustrating at times,I do fall into both catagories as my 4 year old grandaughter has lived with me and I have cared for her since she was 2 days old,But if my husband is not with me I do not occupy a disabled place, to do so you risk the blue badge being revolked. Also as my grandaughter is now 4yrs old I do not use the parent and toddler places. As for the shouting I think it was Chloe H in her prior post that started that refering to there OWN Places,What is good for one is good for the other, Truce!!!!!!!

Hi Joan!

I've been keeping my head below the parapet!! I only asked, I didn't mean to start a hoo-hah like this!

Don't fret everyone, I'll hop for the duration! :D

*Laugh* @JeanGenie

:D

Wish me luck, please. I go in tomorrow and I'm absolutely b****y petrified!

Good Luck JeanGenie :) :D

Melody :D

Good luck Jeangenie, hope you're back on your feet soon :) At least it's made the day interesting :D Some topics just get people heated (don't mention the war :D )
Joan :)