LETTER TO EDITOR: Getting the Blue Badge

Sussex ME Society raise concerns about attempts at reducing numbers of blue badges for disabled people in Brighton & Hove.

WE are concerned for some people locally affected by ME or Chronic fatigue syndrome and other seriously debilitating conditions that are being put through assessments by Brighton and Hove City Council, apparently with a view to cutting down the number of blue badges issued.

Those that carry out these often harsh assessments are not always aware that many of the applicants have long-term illnesses and disabilities that vary and fluctuate, some of whom may appear fairly able at a good time but can be seriously debilitated and even bedbound for other long periods.

Physical and mental functioning in patients such as these is often short lived and cannot be sustained for any useful length of time.

The council’s assessments are causing stress to those who are genuinely disabled and this is having an adverse impact on their health and mobility.

Having a complicated long-term disabling illness is distressing enough without being put through hoops and landed with the burden of proof to gain one’s entitlements.

Best wishes,

Colin Barton
Chair – Sussex ME Society