I'm under 40 and have osteoporosis of the joints, which means that I have to use a wheelchair.

If I use a parent and child bay when I have my children in the car, I get filthy looks as I get my wheelchair out.

I even get comments like: "These are for parents, why don't you use the disabled bay and leave these free?

I am as entitled to use them as anyone else.

I just happen to also use a wheelchair.

If I can, I always park in the disabled bay, even if I have my children, but then I get told I should use the parent and child bay.

I even get comments for parking in the disabled bay by people, and dirty looks, even though I use a wheelchair and quite a few of the people using the bays are fully able to walk.

A clear example was this weekend when, as a family, we went shopping.

I drove and parked in a disabled bay, displaying my badge for all to see.

My partner opened the door for the children to get out and then went to the boot to get out my chair and wheel it to me.

Either side of us were gentlemen sitting in their cars (only one displaying the blue badge).

By the time I had got into my chair I should have been on my way to Australia for the looks we were given.

We did a full shop and then went back to the car, my partner leading the way with the trolley.

By the time I got to our vehicle he had already been told off by someone for using the space when he clearly wasn't disabled – and the two drivers were still sitting in their vehicles.

By the time we were all loaded, one of the other vehicles had had their shopper come back.

The trolley was fully loaded and the woman pushing it was perfectly fine.

I have been shouted at, sworn at and had quite a few gestures from people as I drive into a disabled bay.

I have been told in the past by able-bodied people using the disabled bay that they can use it because they are shopping for a disabled person!

Maybe those with the blue badges should read the booklet that came with it.

You may only use the badge if the person is actually in the car.

You cannot use it for shopping for the badge holder, or just because you don't want to park further from the shops.

And parent bays are for people with young children.

Teenagers don't count.

Mrs E Stringer
Mendip Road
Worthing

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.

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