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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 185 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
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Long story, short as possible. I currently work a 20 minute drive from work and have parking available. We are being compulsorily moved to Cambridge (City) and this will increase my daily travel (using park & ride) by 1hr20mins approx on a good day. I will have parking at the new office 2 weeks on & 2 weeks off. I do not yet know how long it will take to travel this by car, but it will certainly be more than 20 minutes each way. Unfortunately I am considered a 'mobile grade' so can be transferred anywhere. It has been suggested that I get a Blue Badge so that I can park at the office every day. I don't want a Blue Badge as at the moment, do not feel 'severely disabled' which is the criteria in this region. Of course, on bad days with the fatigue hitting I do feel severely disabled but this is irregular at the moment. I really don't know what to do. It has been made clear that I cannot have full time parking without a blue badge. I am very concerned how the extra travel time will affect the RA as well as my work/life balance, ability to exercise after work and maintain my health. I will ask for an occupational health referral once we have moved buildings. Should I apply for a Blue Badge? Crisis of conscience here. Be yourself - everyone else is taken. XX
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/30/2010 Posts: 507 Location: Gravesend
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Hiya Angiecha, Think it might be handy to speak to an employment adviser as even though your "contract" allows for this , it may be considered an unfair term . It is also possible that if you have a long term illness that your company should make reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act . This could include making parking available to you permanently, and not just for two weeks out of four.( presuming your company knows you have RA!). It could be worth highlighting this , but you need advice from an employment adviser. Unfortunately "Blue Badges " are at the discretion of the Local Authority , however it might still be worth applying , if you explain your good days and bad days . And in my experience .. Cambridge is a hard place to park !! All the best Rich C :) "The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 185 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
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Thanks Rich I had to sign a new contract for my previous role in Staff Training which established me as a mobile grade. I wasn't having any RA symptoms then, just some Carpal Tunnel probs so that is a point I hadn't considered - thanks! I took this job on promotion and actually moved house to accept it. I was warned that there may be a move afoot although it wasn't definite. I have had very honest discussions with the team manager who is sympathetic although not necessarily agreeable to my solution of doing my job in another office within the region - easily doable as two of our team do this already. I will contact an Employment Advisor via our union and will definitely get an OHS referral regarding DDA. I'm going to give the travelling a try but I know it will adversely affect me. Would much prefer to get works parking under DDA rather than Blue Badge, it feels dishonest to me. Thanks Rich for the ideas. Angie Be yourself - everyone else is taken. XX
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Angie.
Gosh lots of worries for you . Rich advice is very sound - he is the benefit King.
Do not stress yourself out or you will be off work and very poorly and that
certainly will not be the answer to anything. Health before work
Good luck
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 185 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
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Well - I am astounded.
I've been given a blue badge.  On my application I was careful to say how erratic the condition can be including that it may only be once or twice a month I am truly incapacitated. As we know, when it does hit, it hits hard.
This will enable me to have parking at work whenever I am there. Still going to increase my journey time but I should be able to work locally if I am really bad. I shall only be using the badge on bad days anywhere else as I don't want to take liberties (don't fancy the abuse I hear about either).
I don't know how to feel about it really.
AngieBe yourself - everyone else is taken. XX
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/30/2010 Posts: 507 Location: Gravesend
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Yayyy!! congratulations , different councils do have different criteria , as can be seen from other peoples posts on this forum alone . Cambridge is an oddity with regard parking and vehicle access but more towns and cities are getting like that .And in my view if planners are deciding that their towns should have no vehicles there then they have to make extra allowances for those with mobility issues You will not be taking liberties if you use it when you fell "well" , as we all know that if you over exert on one day this can have a huge knock on effect. You were honest in your application , they have awarded you a badge ..so use it :) And don't forget the badge is for you not the vehicle :) All the best Rich :) "The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 185 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
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Well, I shall be using the badge for the first time tomorrow. I will be accompanied by a friend who looks, but isn't, physically disabled. Interestingly I overdid it Sunday and am paying the price of sore feet, ankles and knees so don't feel too guilty. One day I will actually adhere to pacing myself. Only been trying for 2 years. Angie Be yourself - everyone else is taken. XX
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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pleased you got the badge. dont feel bad about using it- you cannot see peoples disabilities. someone might have very severe asthma and need one. if you cant bear the feeling of people staring and feel bad invest in a fischer stick- http://www.switchsticks.com/ how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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good on you angie,like you i have recently got a badge and felt iffy to use it but it is for your benefit and use it, i have got a second wind now and dont think twice, i have once had a twat make comments,which sort of upset me, but got good ammo from this site and boy am i ready to use it, go for it, take care.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Angie, Good news for you, as said, this is an up and down illness. Use your badge and be glad you were given one, hopefully you wont ever be that bad. Too many people out there abuse it but you are entitled to it. Good luck Lorna x 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 185 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
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I'm now in the new office, found the first weeks travel a little stressful with all the traffic, not used to it you see! So glad I don't have to worry about finding parking spaces or using the park and ride. My knees are playing up so I would struggle with much walking. It's started snowing again - I'm off home! Angie Be yourself - everyone else is taken. XX
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/30/2010 Posts: 507 Location: Gravesend
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yeh snow is not good .. i struggle to go 50 Yards. Soon be the ho;idays and hopw tou manage to get some rest then :) R "The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."
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