Press to the rescue in disabled row
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 27 Jul 2012 16:00
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AN ELDERLY Dalgety Bay couple have thanked the Press after a problem with a replacement disability badge was sorted out at the last minute.
The current permit expired on Sunday but they were told the replacement would not start until 16 days later.
Kathleen Swallow (87) can only walk short distances with the aid of a stick and assistance of her husband John (88).
Mr Swallow had to fill in the detailed forms and take them to Inverkeithing Civic Centre to have them checked but was unhappy when he found out there would be a delay in the new pass arriving.
"It doesn't particularly matter when we get the new one as long as we can continue to use the old one in the meantime," Mr Swallow told the Press.
"When I asked if we could do this, the answer was a definite 'no'.
"This has been very upsetting but I think I may have to indulge in a bit of civil disobedience," added Mr Swallow, who becomes 89 later this year.
Mrs Swallow said, "They know how old and how disabled I am so this doesn't seem right does it?
"I go to the supermarket and get around by hanging on to the trolley. I have to go because my husband would buy the wrong things.
"All the forms we had to fill in. My husband had to do it for me and it took a couple of days."
The Blue Badge scheme provides parking concessions for people with severely restricted mobility who have difficulty using public transport.
Local authorities are responsible for administering the scheme and issuing Blue Badges to eligible applicants.
Transport Scotland is responsible for the legislation which sets out the framework for the scheme and provides support to local authorities to help them deliver the scheme.
The Press contacted Fife Council last week to take up the couple's case.
Mr Swallow called back to the Press on Monday to say that the new disability badge had arrived that day.
"I don't know who you spoke to but it certainly helped to gee them up and it came today. Thanks for your help."
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Read the full story in this week's Dunfermline Press
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 27 Jul 12
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