Blue Badges

sharmaine
sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
edited 13. Mar 2009, 14:01 in Living with Arthritis archive
I've been having a lot of trouble walking/shopping. I have osteo-arthritis in both knees and find my weekly trip to the shops is just not possible. I'm afraid to go out! I have even considered buying a wheelchair. My left knee is the worse and my right knee is going the same way. My knee is permanantly in a bent position and swollen. I now walk with a limp. It's all very frustrating. My hands seem to have lost their strength too. Do you think I eould be considered for a blue badge..... is anyone in a similar position?

I'm a little bit nervous about asking!!!

Comments

  • denpen
    denpen Member Posts: 389
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    Get the forms filled in and apply for the badge, I have problems walking too and shopping is a nightmare especially supermarket shopping as I cant carry a basket and pushing a trolley is so painful due to OA in my hips, so the more help you can get when trying to go out anywhere, I applied and got my badge and its a godsend to me. So apply today
    Denise
  • debsmartin
    debsmartin Member Posts: 209
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes definatley get those forms filled out, I have RA and also have difficulty walking so my blue badge is a godsend

    debs
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks so much for replying - I'll do it now. It should help me.
    denpen wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine
    Get the forms filled in and apply for the badge, I have problems walking too and shopping is a nightmare especially supermarket shopping as I cant carry a basket and pushing a trolley is so painful due to OA in my hips, so the more help you can get when trying to go out anywhere, I applied and got my badge and its a godsend to me. So apply today
    Denise
  • debsmartin
    debsmartin Member Posts: 209
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sharmaine wrote:
    Thanks so much for replying - I'll do it now. It should help me.
    denpen wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine
    Get the forms filled in and apply for the badge, I have problems walking too and shopping is a nightmare especially supermarket shopping as I cant carry a basket and pushing a trolley is so painful due to OA in my hips, so the more help you can get when trying to go out anywhere, I applied and got my badge and its a godsend to me. So apply today
    Denise

    I'm sure you will have no problems applying and will soon be seeing the benefits of the blue badge
  • joanlawson
    joanlawson Member Posts: 8,681
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    I didn't think I would qualify, but when I mentioned it to my doctor, he was very supportive and said he thought I was bad enough because I can't walk 100 metres and have to use a walking stick. I have filled in the forms and I'm waiting to see whether I get the badge now. Like you, I have OA in my knees and one ankle, and can't go round the supermarket any more.
    Joan
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  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    I have read your posts today and feel that you should definately apply for a badge. I was worried that they would think I wasn`t bad enough, but I got mine with no question. Also, you say you are in so much pain, discomfort and it is affecting the joints to the point of deforming them, but you have not been referred to see a specialist?
    I would go back to your gp and discuss this again, and ask if you could be referred on for more advice on future management.
    I hope things improve for you soon. And apply for you blue badge, and make life as easy as you can for yourself!!
    NB
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jo
    I took your advice and applied for a Blue Badge today. I really should get myself a stick. I kept putting it off but my arms ache so much from the strain of pulling myself up from chairs etc. I'll treat myself to one. I went to the local shop today for bread and fruit. The cashier saw me hobbling and came around to help me. I must look a real sight.
    Thanks so much.
    joanlawson wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine
    I didn't think I would qualify, but when I mentioned it to my doctor, he was very supportive and said he thought I was bad enough because I can't walk 100 metres and have to use a walking stick. I have filled in the forms and I'm waiting to see whether I get the badge now. Like you, I have OA in my knees and one ankle, and can't go round the supermarket any more.
    Joan
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Thanks for responding. I have mentioned this to my GP on many occasions and she says the same old thing "you are too young" - I'm 53. Young to me is 13! I took everyone's advice and applied online today for a Blue Badge. Thanks for the advice - maybe when I visit her again (which is soon) I will ask about seeing a specialist. My mother who also has arthritis was quite alarmed when she saw the size of my joints. I'm very embarrassed about how my legs look. The discomfort does get me down somedays and it does help sharing things on this forum.
    Thanks everyone.
    Sharmaine
    nearlybionic wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine
    I have read your posts today and feel that you should definately apply for a badge. I was worried that they would think I wasn`t bad enough, but I got mine with no question. Also, you say you are in so much pain, discomfort and it is affecting the joints to the point of deforming them, but you have not been referred to see a specialist?
    I would go back to your gp and discuss this again, and ask if you could be referred on for more advice on future management.
    I hope things improve for you soon. And apply for you blue badge, and make life as easy as you can for yourself!!
    NB
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