Amputee Fights Council for Blue Badge, Cites Marathon Remark

Nigel Ward, a 71-year-old amputee, has successfully obtained a blue badge for parking after a protracted battle with Norfolk County Council. Ward, who has one leg, was denied renewal of his badge twice, despite having received one three years prior when he lost his leg.

The council initially requested further medical information from Ward, stating he was considered 'independent' and only required assistance if his prosthetic leg or stump failed. According to Ward, a council worker suggested he might possess a 'spring leg' and could potentially 'run a marathon.'

Ward, a retired wealth investment manager, had initially applied for the badge after a fall resulted in a broken femur on his amputated leg, leading to a loss of confidence in his prosthetic. The incident occurred in 2023 while he was on a Caribbean cruise, where an aneurysm rupture in his knee led to an above-the-knee amputation due to tissue death. He was treated on the ship and then airlifted to the Azores.

Following an assessment by a physiotherapist, Ward's application was approved, leaving him feeling 'happy and relieved.' He expressed disappointment with the process, stating, 'I really would like to see if there's any way to change the system so renewals can happen automatically.' He advocated for automatic renewals for individuals whose mobility conditions are unlikely to change.

Norfolk County Council stated that it was adhering to guidelines set by the Department for Transport (DfT), which mandate that applicants provide up-to-date evidence of mobility difficulties for each renewal.

Ward questioned the council's record-keeping and processes, suggesting that original medical evidence provided only three years prior should be readily available and digitalized. He used a wheelchair and prosthetic leg but noted a significant decline in his confidence with the mobility aid after the femur fracture.