Has anyone been issued with a disabled parking badge just while having chemo. I am having TAX and find it difficult to walk far and on holiday recently would have found one a boon. At NT properties for instance and to get down to the sea just to sit in car and watch the sea whilst husband walked dog which I am not able to do owing to getting increasingly out of breath and very weak.
Hello Starfish
I do sympathise because you describe how I feel so perfectly. I’ve had 5 out of 8 Tax and have got to the point where my feet are hurting so much, but are swollen and puffy. I asked about a blue badge but was told it wasn’t issued for BC. I don’t live in UK so maybe you might find it different. Good luck
Hi Starfish,
As I understand it you are not likely to be issued with a blue badge when on chemo for primary breast cancer.
On the direct.gov.uk site it states:
Who can have a Blue Badge
You are automatically eligible to apply for a badge if you are over two years old and either:
* receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
* are registered blind
* receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
You may also be eligible for a badge if you are over two years old and either:
* have a permanent and substantial disability which means you cannot walk, or which makes walking very difficult
* drive a motor vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meter (or would find it very difficult to operate them).
dawnhc
i was told that you automatically qualify for a blue badge when you are going through chemo. my bcn filled out my application form for me and i signed it, just before my chemo started and before i got my DLA.
my feet hurt and i can’t stay on them for too long plus i tire very quickly now. i really appriciate my blue badge - especially at hospital parking!
Hmm, let me think back. I’m pretty sure I applied (and received) my blue badge prior to DLA. I think it’s a necessity while on (and after) Taxotere, and I’d suggest you push for it, Starfish.
Peacock, I don’t know how you’re managing 5 out of 8. You must be an incredibly strong lady. I was meant to have 6 but they cancelled the last one because I was so weak.
I’ve just got in from driving across town for a hairdressing “experience”. A friend recommended him and he’s amazing. Then did a big Morrison’s shop, had lunch there, shopped in the village here and still feel I have bags of energy.
So all you ladies going through Tax at present and feel like sh!t, it really DOES get better.
Good luck to us all.
Maureen xx
Trust me Maureen I am asking myself the same question. Having diabetes as well I have surprised myself that I have managed to get this far.
Tomorrow is No 6 - I am psyching myself up for it but am concerned about how my legs and ankles and feet have all merged into one.
Beached whale, not me - more like beached bronchosaurus (is that bigger than a whale??). I hope they can give me something for this awful fluid retention as I really am getting quite uncomfortable. My fingers are “tight”, and I feel like this all through now.
Anyway, hopefully not many more to go so fingers crossed.
xxxx
I will ask when next at hospital. I am certainly almost permanently exhausted on taxotere. Went to supermarket yesterday but walking very very slowly. On tax 1 as soon as I tried to walk up any even slight incline i was very out of breath, coughing and felt sick and felt I was about to pass out. Seems unfair to me that because you are trying to be positive by going out you are not allowed a pass to help in the few months of discomfort. I have never claimed anything in my life and would return it as soon as my health improved.
Star, I applied through my local council. I think they sent a form which I took to my GP. I seem to recall it only lasts a few years and then I’ll have to reapply. I may be speaking out of my backside because to be honest I can’t remember!! No, I’m sure I applied through the council. Or was that for a free swimming pass a number of years ago??? Crikey, I’m worse than I think I am!!
Good luck to us all.
Maureen xx
If you’re not receiving Disability Living Allowance at the higher mobility rate you have to apply to the Local Council but your GP has to also support it (as far as I remember). If you are receiving the higher mobility rate you can apply direct to the Local Council (that’s how it works in our area and maybe other areas have different ways?)
I think for people when it’s a short term problem Councils maybe should look at issuing something on a short term basis. My blue badge is valid for 3 years as I have secondaries to my spine and mine has just been renewed.
Maybe this is something that Macmillan can take up as they’ve successfully lobbied for free prescriptions in England.