A handy device
As a disabled person with only one hand I too had a problem with peeling potatoes etc, but I solved the problem with a metal toast rack. I cut about an inch off the top of each section leaving a row of exposed prongs on which to lay the potatoes, apples, oranges, etc on which to peel. You can also slice the potatoes to make your own chunky chips. Perhaps Richard Trowbridge (June letters) could give it a try? P O’Connor, via email
Blue Badge misuse
Re June’s article on Blue Badge misuse. In Birmingham, if you apply to your local police force, they will give you a mobile phone text number, or fax number, which one can send a registration number and the location of disabled bay misuse, and they will investigate. I trust this may be of interest to all readers. Richard Powderhill, Birmingham
Too few bays
I hardly use my Blue Badge now. If I go to the hospital, there are very few bays and they are always full. The disabled bays in the local town car parks are always full. It seems to me that everyone over the age of 60 now has a Blue Badge. When I watch people park in a disabled bay, most of the badge holders walk away without even a walking stick. D. Kingsnorth, via email
Hal-frauds
It would appear that the Ilkeston branch of Halfords (or should that be Halfrauds!) are in a somewhat regular habit of using an accessible parking space as a fitting bays. I have challenged Halfords before when the branch manager blocked this space; the only action was a denial that it happened. Trevor Corney, via email
A voice of reason
What a joy to hear the voice of reason, I write in response to Mike Alexander’s letter in the May edition. The mobility component of Disability Living Allowance was introduced to help younger disabled people get out and about and thereby lead a more normal life. Those who are campaigning for older people to get this allowance overlook the fact that the people who have mobility problems as they get older have all their life been able to get around and do the things that are extremely difficult for someone who is disabled to do. When you are disabled every outing needs to be planned with care. Can I walk that far? Is there suitable parking? Is there wheelchair access? Who can I ask to accompany me? etc, etc. If you are an older person wishing you had this allowance imagine having had these difficulties since birth or since you were in your 20s or 30s when you took for granted that you were able to go out when and where you wished. Very few disabled people are able to work and earn money to buy a car. Please don’t begrudge us the help that we get from our mobility allowance. Even in these enlightened times there are still things that are impossible for a disabled person to do and the things that are possible often cost a great deal more because disabled people cannot choose the cheapest option. Margaret Roberts, via email
Misled up the garden path
In Aprils issue I was pleased to see the article on accessible gardens, especially as I was about to spend a short break in south Norfolk, only a short distance from Somerlayton Hall, which was one of the Gardens recommended.
Luckily I did have a friend with me to help me get around but even with help the garden was far from easily accessible. The pathways were quite rough and many had large roots criss-crossing them. There were quite a few steps and the only way to avoid these was to ascend or descend on steep grassy slopes. There was no way that I could have done this on my own, or indeed even with my mobility scooter if I’d had it with me.
We met other people pushing wheelchairs and we all said the same thing “There is no way this is wheelchair accessible!”
The final obstacle was on leaving the gardens we had to exit via the gift shop which entailed going up a step to get in there.
Thankfully neither me nor my friend are frail or elderly and although it was a trial, both of us are blessed with a good sense of humour and managed to enjoy our visit. However I would not consider recommending it to others as it is in no way accessible and your article was, on this occasion, very misleading.
Diane Harrison-Fuller, via email
Editor’s note; We’re really sorry to hear that Diane’s visit to Somerlayton Hall was such a disappointment. The Information Officer who put the article together used the information provided by Somerlayton Hall on their website which says they are wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately we were unable to visit every location mentioned in the article to check it out for ourselves. However, we will be writing to the Hall and informing them of your experience.
Member invention
Since our last article in the Mobilise magazine explaining our scooter crutch/stick holder we have had a number of enquiries asking us if we made a wheelchair version and the answer is yes we do. We have produced a crutch/stick holder that fits the standard type wheelchair. The wheelchair holder costs £12.00 plus the postage and packing of £3.25. They will hold either two walking sticks or two crutches. This saves having to try and hold onto your crutches or stick and leaves your hands free. They can be left on the wheelchair even when folded. For larger or smaller models we may be able to make the holder to your requirements. Any other information please email bshartina1.bacon@btinternet.com or ring 01493 750806. Ken Bacon, via email
Tesco: discouraging disabled shoppers?
I have come to the conclusion that Tesco have a policy of discouraging disabled shoppers. It borders on disability discrimination.
Over the past two years I have tried to have the local Tesco Express, Purley Cross, Croydon, deal fairly with Blue Badge holders. It is now clear that Tesco management see disabled people as a nuisance who should be discouraged, particularly Fridays and Saturdays, and when schools turn out. The disabled parking warning signs have been reduced to simply disabled parking notices without penalty.
The disabled bays, particularly near the store entrance usually have more `normal cars’ than cars with Blue Badges.
Blue Badge spaces have been numerically increased, but extend more than 150 meters from the entrance. If it were possible for disabled person to walk that far they can’t be disabled.
I have written to Tesco Head Office. Their reply is, “The matter will be taken up with the Store Manager”. Letters to the Store Manager remain unanswered.
I have on many occasions complained to the past and new manager and assistant managers who reply with the rehearsed mantras when told the disabled bays are blocked by non disabled vehicles;
“This will be dealt with right away.”
“I’ll make an announcement over the loudspeaker system.” (it never happens)
“We can’t employ car park staff, they might be assaulted.”
The mobile electric wheel chairs are rarely charged, another disincentive.
In common with other disabled people I, and my family, now use Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. At least they people with disabilities as people and not subnormal nuisances. Fred Cooke, via email
A worrying perception of disability
I was just wondering if any members have experienced a similar situation that I had recently. I was pulling into a disabled space in my local Morrisons store, and had just opened my door, when a guy that was driving away, shouted “well, you’re not disabled anyway, ya ****” Now, I had my wheelchair in the car and was displaying my blue badge – none of which he could obviously see. He was a non-disabled driver himself. To say I was angry would be understating things. Before I could even respond, he sped out of the car park at a rate of knots. After I had calmed down, I began to wonder why he would assume I wasn’t disabled, as all he could see was my face. The only conclusion I can come up with was that this guy seems to think that to be disabled you must have to be (and look) old. And although not exactly a youngster, I didn’t look like a stereotypical grey haired old man with a flat cap! I have also heard recent stories from many young disabled people (wheelchair users and amputees), of being challenged by older disabled people, with statements like: “Disabled? Don’t give me that – you’re too young to be disabled!” This perception among some non-disabled or older people with disabilities, that somehow disability is caused by aging, to the exclusion of all else, strikes me as bizarre. Surely anyone with any common sense would know that you can have an injury at any age? I’d be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this attitude. Kenny Cairns, via email
I had been having driving lessons with Rob Lukehurst (in his BSM Corsa with hand controls), and my Disability Living Allowance award letter had come through. The time had come to look for a car. I went to see Andrew Vernon, the Motability Specialist at Hartwell Oxford Vauxhall, for advice on what car he thought might be suitable. I’d been to many dealers and didn’t like the look or space the other cars offered. I was also fixated on having a small car.
