Edith Disley, 74, has spoken out

Edith Disley(Image: Parkinson’s UK)

A Trafford pensioner with Parkinson’s has spoken of her ordeal after waiting months for a Blue Badge. Elaine Disley, 74, was diagnosed with the disease which affects movement in 2008.

She applied to Trafford Council for a Blue Badge in August 2023 after her mobility deteriorated. Despite being told she would receive a decision in six weeks, she had to wait six months for an assessment.

“I applied in August and was told I’d hear back within six weeks,” she said. “Six weeks later, I was told I needed an assessment, but I then had to wait until February for an appointment. By the time I finally had the assessment, I’d already been waiting for months.”

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She said the assessment ‘failed to reflect the reality of living with Parkinson’s’ and ‘focused too heavily on pain rather than the wider mobility challenges caused by the condition.’

“The assessor seemed very focused on pain, but a lot of the mobility problems caused by Parkinson’s aren’t about pain at all,” she said.

Edith says her independence was affected whilst she was waiting for a Blue Badge(Image: Parkinson’s UK)

“They’re about not being able to move, freezing, and having difficulty walking. I didn’t feel there was much understanding of Parkinson’s or how it affects mobility.”

A few weeks later, she says her application was turned down ‘with little explanation.’ She was eventually granted one following an appeal and support from her local councillor.

“Walking was becoming harder and harder, and getting out and about was much more difficult without a Blue Badge,” she said.

“Parking close to where I needed to go and having enough space to get in and out of the car makes a huge difference. I found myself thinking twice about simple trips because of the difficulties involved.”

Parkinson’s UK says Edith’s case is an example of the issues people with the condition are facing with local authorities(Image: Parkinson’s UK)

She said having a badge had made a huge difference to her independence. “Having a Blue Badge gives me a sense of security and freedom,” she said.

“It means I can shop independently, visit people, attend activities and continue supporting my local Parkinson’s group. It has made a real difference to my day-to-day life.”

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “Trafford Council would like to apologise to Mrs Disley for the problems she experienced with her Blue Badge application in 2023. In 2024, significant improvements were made to the process when the Council introduced a new system which utilises the national application form.

“These improvements were supported by the Council’s Health Scrutiny committee which met to discuss them during 2023 and 2024. Additionally, officers at the Council have engaged closely with the Parkinson’s UK charity to get a clearer understanding of the condition. All decisions regarding Blue Badges are made in line with the Department for Transport’s guidance.”

Blue Badge ‘a lifeline’ for people with Parkinson’s

Edith has detailed her experience as the charity Parkinson’s UK said there were ‘inconsistencies’ how the scheme is managed across the country.

They claim 60 percent of local authorities are forcing people with progressive conditions like to ‘re-prove’ their disability, rather than offering the ‘basic dignity’ of an automatic Blue Badge renewal.

Whilst they say more than 10pc of town halls don’t recognise Blue Badges issued by other authorities, causing ‘unnecessary bureaucracy for people moving across geographical boundaries.’

They are calling on the Department for Transport to step in and make the scheme ‘fair and consistent’ and to provide people with Parkinson’s a ‘reliable service.’

David Newbold, the charity’s Director of Community said: “For people living with Parkinson’s, a Blue Badge can be a lifeline. But far too many are battling an unfair system just to access and keep that support. Last year, our Parkinson’s UK Local Advisers dealt with over 2,000 Blue Badge enquiries in England alone.

“This is an increase of over 75pc from 2023 to 2025. Most of these calls were people struggling to navigate the system and battling unfair rejections. The Blue Badge scheme must not be a postcode lottery. The Department for Transport must act now to ensure people can access the scheme consistently and fairly, no matter where they live.”