Council Row Erupts as Pensioner, 83, with ‘Dead Leg’ DENIED Blue Badge in Shock Decision!
Derek Gibson, an 83-year-old pensioner from Burgh St Peter in Norfolk, has been denied a blue badge parking permit despite suffering from a severe medical condition that severely limits his mobility. Mr. Gibson, who has held a blue badge for nine years without any issues, now finds himself caught in a frustrating bureaucratic dispute between two county councils.
Mr. Gibson suffers from diabetic muscular neuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves in his body and leaves him with what he describes as a “dead leg.” Diagnosed in 2016, the condition has significantly impacted his ability to walk. “In other words, this leg from hip to knee is dead—I will never be able to get full use of it back,” he explained, adding that the pain he experiences is “quite incredible.”
To manage his condition, Mr. Gibson relies on a mobility scooter and says he can “hardly walk” without assistance. For nearly a decade, his blue badge was issued by Suffolk County Council. However, when it came time to renew the permit, he was instructed to apply to Norfolk County Council instead. To his dismay, Norfolk County Council rejected his application, citing insufficient medical evidence to support the level of walking difficulty described in his application.
**A Growing Concern for the Couple**
The rejection has left Mr. Gibson and his wife of 62 years deeply concerned, especially as their current blue badge is set to expire at the end of March. Without the permit, accessing essential services such as healthcare appointments and grocery shopping will become significantly more challenging.
In their rejection letter, Norfolk County Council stated that Mr. Gibson needed to provide additional medical evidence, including a letter from his doctor, before they would reconsider his application. The couple is now working to gather the necessary documentation, but the process has added stress and uncertainty to their lives.
“It’s very worrying,” Mrs. Gibson said about the impending expiry of their current badge. Her husband was more blunt, calling the situation “ridiculous.”
**Determined to Fight the Decision**
The couple, who have lived in their village for 40 years, are determined to challenge the council’s decision. “We are not going to give up,” Mr. Gibson insisted. “If they still say no with a doctor’s letter, we will take it further.”
He emphasized the importance of the blue badge for his daily life, saying, “If I can’t park near somewhere in a parking space with a blue badge, I am going to be a bit stuck. We need availability as close as possible to the essential services.”
The situation highlights the challenges faced by elderly and disabled individuals when navigating bureaucratic systems, particularly when their mobility and independence are at stake. For Mr. Gibson and his wife, the blue badge is not just a convenience but a necessity that allows them to maintain their quality of life.
As they await the council’s review of their case, the couple remains hopeful that their persistence will lead to a positive outcome.
Source: Adapted from recent reports on Derek Gibson’s blue badge application struggle.
