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Are We Disabled?

Posted , 14 users are following.

milliejean
milliejean

Hi,

​I'm planning a trip south next month by public transport and although I don't have a disabled 'sticker' or anything to say I am disabled, I'm wondering if anyone has? I have been told I'm disabled because I have an 'artifical hip' but never considered myself disabled? I walk with a stick  outside more often than not, and my hip aches at times but......disabled?

1 like, 44 replies

44 Replies

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  • linnet2015
    linnet2015 milliejean

    Posted

    I dont think you are disabled if you have an artificial hip, in most cases we are more "able" than before the operation.

    Im sure I read on this forum that in some countries US ? Australia? you can get temporary Blue Badges for parking until you are fully recovered which I think is an excellent idea. Not something we can get as far as I know in the UK.

    Hope you have a good trip

    Linnet x

    • Loral
      Loral linnet2015

      Posted

      Yes here in US we get a temporary handicap sticker, I got one months before my surgery.
    • linnet2015
      linnet2015 Loral

      Posted

      Thanks for that Loral. It would certainly make those first few weeks a lot easier if we had that in the UK. 

      Linnet x

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK linnet2015

      Posted

      Totally agree, we need a 'temporary blue badge' for say a maximum of three months.
    • gloriajoy
      gloriajoy Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Good idea

      Anyway I believe it is only issued for one year at a time,needing re-application at the year end.

       

  • helen56309
    helen56309 milliejean

    Posted

    Hi there

    Before my thr 9 weeks ago I was unable to walk any distance and applied and got a blue badge it is due for renewal in march and I will speak with my gp to see if I should apply again as she had told me to apply last

    march for the badge.

    The badge was a great help to me but I would not like to abuse it as it's

    only when you are unable to walk that you appreciate how awful it is to

    be disabled and how much the badge was of value to me .

    So I would say if you cannot walk far and are in pain you would be eligible for the blue badge

    I am hoping that when I am fully recovered and when walking any

    distance will not be difficult I will not need to apply for the badge

    The reason for the operation is to return to a normal life again

  • Thursday_Next
    Thursday_Next milliejean

    Posted

    I have a blue badge, I applied in August before I was referred to consultant. At the moment I am still using it but hope I will be able to return it in the fairly near future.
  • gloriajoy
    gloriajoy milliejean

    Posted

    I walk with a stick and applied for a blue badge but was told I did not meet the criteria.

    However I have had assistance at airports and that has been very helpful. Also because I limp and use the stick fellow passengers are always very kind often carrying my hand luggage down the steps for me.

    Airport assistance is excellent this end but not always available on arrival,thank goodness for kindness of fellow passengers,once on the ground I manage my wheeled luggage ok.

    I have not had THR yet,but since needing a walking stick I have found people so helpful everywhere,at the supermarket or wherever.

    My advice is carry a stick so people will know you may need assistance.

    It is very British not to not to intrude so they need some clue, then they love to help.

    Joy

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK gloriajoy

      Posted

      I must say I have been amazed at the rudeness of one or two people barging past me when out with my sticks, and the kindness shown to me by the vast majority of people.

      Never have I had such little difficulty crossing roads, I will miss this now I am transiting to 'no sticks'.  I will use my folding stick  for a while 'just in case', but I know it doesn't carry the same impact as those NHS sticks.

      Graham

    • gloriajoy
      gloriajoy Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      I only have a walking stick purchased from a local chemist.

      It may be that people are kinder to me because of my obvious age.

      You are clearly a young fit looking man and people assume you can fend for yourself.

      It just shows we should not make judgements about others. From outward appearances we never know what people are going through.

      The only problems I have in my local area are 1) so many people cycling on the footpaths ( my experience of being run over makes me nervous of this)you can't hear them coming and they hurtle along at scary speed.

      2) when the schools are out the kids move in a a great swarm,oblivious to other people. We old folk are obviously invisible!

      You will get better, I unfortunately will not get any younger.

      Joy

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK gloriajoy

      Posted

      Joy,

      Oh so right there - Cyclists on footpaths are a menace, and schoolchildren are totally oblivious to anyone but themselves.

      When I rode a big red motorcycle in my flourescent jacket, it was like I had a cloak of invisibility, most car and van drivers just could not see me at all.

      Young and fit, well 63 years (or as I like to say, 21 for the third time around), but not fit, but I have now lost 5 stone (70 pounds), so fitter than I was. This was good as it has helped my body recover from the operation (lower cholesterol, blood sugar, risk of diabetes), but on the downside it has reduced my rear-end, so the muscles are much reduced and weaker.

      Best wishes

      Graham

    • gloriajoy
      gloriajoy Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Well 63 is the new 40.

      Well done for losing the weight! Keep up the good work.

      Things can only get better for you.

      My eldest son rides a motorcycle, he is only 53 yrs but I worry when he rides in bad weather.

      You take care too.

      Best wishes

      Joy

       

  • sandra16826
    sandra16826 milliejean

    Posted

    I had a "temporary" disabled sticker before my surgery and it was for about 6 months. I probably could have had it extended, but didn't really need it.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 milliejean

    Posted

    Hi Milliejean, 

    I wish I had applied for a Disability parking card - I don;t know why I didn;t- I don't know if I would have qualified here in Holland ... Nobody even suggested it .... 

    Parking here is very challenging .. firts to find a parking spot close to the stores you want shop at - then find a spot close to that pay-before-you-park machine - the you have to walk back to your car to put the ticket on dash board - by that time I am already exhausted  very discouraging and I often eyed the  disability spot ....

    As for airport /wheelchair assistance ... I did ask for this service when I flew from Los Angeles to Amsterdam- it was wonderful and I highly recommend it - Distances at airports are big - You will be wheeled to an empty ticket counter to

    check in, board the plane as one of the first - upon arrival a wheelchair will be waiting for you - you get help to pull suitcase from carrousel, go through customs -  I travelled alone and was very happy and would do it again - and this was pre-op -   to be honest, I felt embarresed at first - but got over it - Also had to change planes in London, changed termimals etc - I could not have done it by myself ..

    Big warm hug

    renee

    • gloriajoy
      gloriajoy renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee

      Your description of parking problems in Holland exactly describe my experience in UK which is why I applied for for the parking card here.

      I was refused however.

      I too travel alone all the time and did not use assistance at airports until I noticed other passengers being helped and made enquiries.

      The assistance makes travel so much more bearable.

      I regularly visit North Cyprus where I have a son. On arrival there sometimes assistance is not forthcoming,but the Cypriots are always kindly and helpful and the distance is short to the exit where my son is waiting.

      Aside from that I am a lover of travel in general and my main annoyance regarding the dodgy hip is being limited in that regard.

      This is one reason I have not been keen on the idea of THR,(apart from being a devout coward)the fear that I might become even more disabled after the op.

      Living alone and travelling alone I feel it so important to continue being independent as long as I am able.

      You have clearly been brave and taken  steps to deal with the OA and improved your situation.

      Well done to you,it is tough to deal with it alone, and scary too.

      Best wishes and hugs to you.

      Joy X

       

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