Tips for using blue badge or DLA.

Ankyspond

Hi all,

Just thought I would share a few thing I have learnt recently with you all, sorry if you already know this.

Not only can you use blue badge for parking but you can get half price concert, theatre tickets and many other attractions. But most importantly most places wont make you queue which for me is a major problem. I like doing 'normal things' but the thought of queuing horrifies me and used to put me off. Couple of weeks ago at wembly at Take That concert was able to have seat and go in as soon as doors opened instead if queuing.

Not trying to take liberties but it is something that I find helps my arthritis and compensates for all the crap and pain i am constantly in. X

hileena111

I would like to add to that. I've posted this before I think but in case it was missed will do it again.
Our leisure centre has what is called a TAL CARD {Northumberland} You buy it and then any classes you go to or the gym you hand this card in and the clases are cheaper. I was filling in a form to get one of these and where it says
DO YOU RECEIVE BENEFITS? I put NO {I dont except blue badge}
The receptionist said that is a benefit....... put that in and the Tal card will be cheaper ....so anytime it mentions benefits I always but yes in now. I thought by benefits it meant [MONETARY BENEFITS} :oops:
The other thing {although you would need to check} Our hospitals give you free parking if you are a blue badge holder...not just a space...Thats a help if you are going and havent a clue how long you are going to be....It means you dont have to go in and out topping up the meter
Love
Hileena

frogmorton

Thanks for these useful bits of info.

I agree that a badge should help you get into places easier...what is the point of having a badge to park you nearer if you sTILL have to 'stand' in agony in a queue

Hope the concert was good and Hileena...hope you are not exercising just yet :shock:

Love

Toni xx

chile168

Hi Anky nice to meet you.

Interested in your post and would like to know more. What proof do you need to purchase theatre tickets etc at half price? How do we not queue considering the blue badge gets left in car? Is there a small card we can get as a form of Blue Badge ID for example? Im not in a wheelchair but do have a blue badge and use disabled toilets for example. Sometimes they are locked and when I request for them to be opened, I get dirty looks as if I shouldn't be using them. Would really like to know more on your post.

Hileena, what is a TAL CARD? would be interested to learn more.

Love to you both and hope you are pain free today xxx

Eve

hileena111

Hi Eve,
A TAL card is a card you buy at Northumberland Lesuisure centers.....its gets you into the gym and keep fit classes etc cheaper....I think all areas will have that type of thing although they wont be called TAL cards...at the cafes there you get food and drink a bit cheaper if you pruduce it. I only mentioned that because thats where I found out it is a BENEFIT...if someone asked me if I received benefits I would say no simply because I dont get DLA or any other money
Hope this helps

Love
Hileena

barbara12

Thanks for this Ankyspond and Hileena
We dont get free parking at our hospitals...they stopped it last year, but I couldnt do without my badge...it was a godsend on hols..
The queuing thing is really interesting...I will look into this..

Ankyspond

Hi all,

Glad I could help with this, will look into the leisure centre thing might be good for swimming.

The Take That concert was fantastic thanks!

I understand what you say about leaving your badge on the car, you could photocopy it smaller as proof and take with you or the letter you got saying you are entitled to it is also good enough. To be honest when I ask (have learnt to do this but took me a long time to do it) I offer proof (I have my DLA letter but they never ask for it apart from Alton Towers. Forgot that one guys if you go to customer service they give you a priority wristband so you and three others can go to front of queue and get on rides straight away. I would never have done any if this a few months ago but after years of pain I have finally given in and accepted any help I can get especially if it means I can do normal things.

To answer Eve directly (and anyone else) when booking anything just ask if there are any concessions for a blue badge, if you go anywhere (like theme parks etc) just ask if there are any concessions or anything they provide. When I went to Take That concert when we got there I explained to staff I have arthritis and blue badge and is there any entrance so don't have to queue or the worry of getting pushed over in the rush, they said go get a drink then when you ready go to disabled entrance as soon as doors open.

I know this is hard and like I was for years I don't want to be different but if it helps then use it, as for disabled toilets or anything else for that matter I say I have arthritis and blue badge if they look at me funny or ask I tell them I have ankylosing spondylitis at the age if 43 and would they like more details :green, that normally does the trick. It is hard cos I am able bodied and to look at me most of the time people think I am ok but nobody know the pain and problems I face every minute of every day I have just learnt to hide them well. Sorry I am rambling now, hope this helps anything else give me a shout. X x




P.S Don't forget the cinema card (buy one get one free) that someone put a link on here about also seen yesterday RAC do reduced fees to.

hileena111

Thanks for the extra info......This inviisible illness is such a pain {forgive the pun} If we had an arm in plaster or a leg in plaster it would be so much easier than this stupid illness
Love
Hileena

toptottie10

This is very interesting and my experience is it is like a post code lottery, some hospitals provide disabled parking bays but you have to pay, some offer disabled bays free, where i live some venues will offer concessions and others you have to pay full price. I always check on line and then either email or give them a call to find out if the venue has facilities or offers for disabled.
If you need to use disabled toilets and always find them locked then why not register with the Radar key system and you will have your own key to open them if they are closed.The key is cheap enough to buy. ( £3-£5)

chile168

Thanks Anky and Hileena for the tips, I will certainly be asking and taking your advice on board

The Tal Card or the equivalent in kent will come in useful as physio-therapist wants me to have hydrotherapy for my spine so will come in handy as I want to learn to swim at the wonderful young age of 46 lol. I have a real phobia of water but I also want to learn as I am soon to be a grandmother and would to share quality time with daughter/grandbaby.

Anky good point on the details of your illness, did tickle me as I have only done that once. My favourite is when they want my blue badge...........I say let's SWAP...........your HEALTH for my BADGE. Quite puzzling when they don't accept the offer pmsl.

I agree Anky it does take a lot to say disabled in public particularly with illnessess where we look ok on the outside and feel crap on the inside....at least thats been my experience.

Loving all the tips, keep them coming. Other than Road Tax Exempt and free congestion charge, I don't have many but will gladly pass them on if I come across any.

Lots of hugs from

Eve

tjt6768

Not read right through this as I'm feeling a tad off it right now, bit too much pain...
Sounds very interesting, I know whenever we go somewhere I always see if there are concessions, if so I use my disabled bus pass as ID. Not even thought about the queuing before, have avoided things like the plague because of it... Thanks for the heads up hun. Definitely one to look into.

Hope my piddly but of advice about the bus pass for proof helps a little bit

hileena111

Road Tax exempt if you just have a bue badge???? Dont have congestion charges here

Love
Hileena

weejean

I would like to add that you get discounted fares on certain ferry services with the blue badge. While on holiday in the Highlands this year I got my car half price on all the ferry crossings because I have a blue badge.

Love Jean x

weejean

toptottie10 wrote:

This is very interesting and my experience is it is like a post code lottery, some hospitals provide disabled parking bays but you have to pay, some offer disabled bays free, where i live some venues will offer concessions and others you have to pay full price. I always check on line and then either email or give them a call to find out if the venue has facilities or offers for disabled.
If you need to use disabled toilets and always find them locked then why not register with the Radar key system and you will have your own key to open them if they are closed.The key is cheap enough to buy. ( £3-£5)

Thank you so much for this information about the Radar key. I enjoy getting out with my husband whenever I am able and use two crutches which makes it difficult to get into some public toilets. So many times I have wondered how to get into the disabled toilet as it is locked. I have just ordered my key and it cost a mere £3.50. Thanks again.

Love Jean x

wannabewriter

My friend and I are common frequenters of concerts, gigs etc, and despite not having a blue badge (yet), we always get in touch beforehand and have never had a problem with venues allowing us to be let in before the queue opens (my friend is particularly unsteady on her feet sometimes and lots of people pushing is a no-no). We both have difficulty standing in queues for a long time, and despite not being able to ‘prove’ via DLA or blue badge, almost every venue (except theme parks interestingly enough) has been absolutely great about letting us in early. Even when it’s unreserved seating (cue mad dash as soon as doors open) we’ve been let in before.

It’s always well worth getting in touch with a venue, or attraction, or even airline etc beforehand if you think they might be able to provide assistance to make your experience far more pleasant. As a general rule, once you’ve explained that while you look OK you actually can’t stand for more than ten minutes because of A B and C, they’re more understanding. Some are sceptical until you explain, whereas others are more understanding and go on faith that you in fact are telling the truth.

So that’s my two cents on this one – always get in touch beforehand to see if they can help you more, even if you think they probably won’t help you might be surprised at what can be done, and at people’s kindesses too!

x

Ankyspond

Hi all, just though I would answer and say what great tips there are, I have just sent for my cinema ticket so can’t wait to be able to go to the cinema whenever buy one get one free. We had relatives over from Australia recently and lots of attractions also do concessions like Chatsworth, Warwick Castle etc. Hope you all having a good day. xx
Hileena, you are so right a plaster would make it easier for some small minded people, but we know what’s wrong with us and there are a lot of people who are kind and understanding so we will have to have faith in them. Xx

Toptottie, I agree its very much a postcode my hospital does not have any concessions but do have disabled places! What a great tip about the Radar Key had never heard of that before, going to do that. Xx
Eve, glad you got some tips from this and hope they work out for you. What a fantastic thing to do to learn to swim, good luck with it. I also like what you say about your blue badge, it’s a good job we have a sense of humor left. Everyday I work at looking ok on the outside and letting everyone think I am fine but inside it’s a different thing but that’s the way it is I guess. Xx

Tony, sorry you feeling off and hope you feel better soon. Thanks for the bus pass tip, I never use buses but it’s a great idea. xx

PPPeter, I too have older blue badge holders say to me “do you know this is a disabled parking space” to which I reply “do you know how rude you are”. I don’t justify anything to them as I don’t need to I have it for a reason to try and help me and that’s justification enough. Xx

Jean, I am going to look at the ferry as considering using one in August. Xx

Wannabewriter, I too agree that there are some people out there that are very understanding and kind and they are the ones we have to believe in. xx

Ankyspond

OMG that's unbelievable! X

sbolam

PPPeter wrote:

No you don't get road tax exempt with a blue badge you get that with high rate of mobility.

I have a blue badge an I was in St Andrews with the girls and I parked in a disabled spot in a car park and I didn't have to pay - But I don't agree with that - I am using the car park so I would have to pay like anyone else just because I park in a set space I should have to pay so I paid the £1.50. I very rarely use my badge only if I really have to, its a privilege not a right that is how I see it, some people ever think of it as an a prize for being disabled and they display it every where then can. I have even been quizzed by other older disabled drivers because the spaces have been full and I am sitting in a disabled spot with badge and been told I don't look disabled enough.

I have just put in an application for a blue badge. and do feel a little guily as I can get around..I just have bad days where it would be very useful... I dont understand some people acutally see a blue badge as a badge of honour..just MAD!!

hileena111

Hi
Dont feel guilty about applying for a blue badge......what difference does it make?
If there are times that you will need it ....or the larger parking space ...use it......other times ...dont use it.
Mine lives oin my glove box most of the time...but there are times I do need it.....when I dont need it I dont take up disabled places that someone who really needs it could use.
At the moment I hgave a fracture pelvis or the latest diagnosis is that it is something to do with my liver???? I'm on crutches and cant drive but it is living in my husbands car so he can drop me off close to doors etc...I wouldnt get it if I applied for it now because it has to be for a chronic illness....not an acute one but i really need it.
I originaly got it because i have OA in my hips my lower spine one nkle and neck...I've had a hip replacement and the other one is due to be replaced.
I dont feel guilty because I'm entitled to it and some people that get one use it constantly whether they are in pain or not
Sorry for the ramble

Love
Hileena

Dannyboy

hey, you guys..........I've just tried to order a radar key and the final price was a whooping £10. ie £1.79 for the key+ £6 p&p for God's Sake +vat

where can I buy one, or maybe even 2, for less than a fiver?

thx folks!!
Dan

weejean

Hi Dan

I bought my Radar key last week and it cost £3.50 including postage and it arrived within two days. I bought mine from www.radar-shop.org.uk

Dannyboy

hi Jean,

membership on that site is £25. Is it ok for non-members to order a key?


Dan

rugbygirl

My local swimming pool (basingstoke) offers free swimming to anyone who has either been registered disabled or is in receipt of Higher Rate Mobility (yes I know thats a joke most of the time) for an entire year. If you want to attend classes you can get an alternative membership which gives you reduced rates for the aqua fit (yes I did laugh at that too).

rugbygirl

Just seen the thing about Radar Keys. My local town centre (basingstoke) actually sell them on their information desk. I paid £2.75 for mine and they didnt ask for any proof that I needed it. Added bonus was that I didnt have to wait for it to come in the post and the extra cost of postage. Might be worth having a look on your local towns website and see if they stock them in the information centre or similar.

Dannyboy

Thx for the tip, rugbygirl will take a look right now

Dan

Dannyboy

rugbygirl, you're a clever girl lol

I'm picking up my radar key in the morning for £2.50 from the town hall.

thanks a lot.

Dan