I am writing this letter with regards to a recent visit to Harrow.

While waiting for my wife and daughter, who were making a quick visit to a local department store, I parked in Greenhill Way car park.

I could not help but notice the amount of people with disabled badges for parking, who seemed remarkably agile.

I cannot obviously know each person’s ailment, but all seemed completely able to walk well. I felt I wanted to express my thoughts as my wife held a badge for some 20 years before she apparently didn’t qualify any more.

She had a severe brain haemorrhage in 1990, leaving her severely disabled according to the DWP and the DSS before them. A badge was issued, orange then blue.

In early 2012, she was amazingly considered to be able again. We accepted the decision as our doctor informed us that the posts had moved and it was mostly wheelchair-bound people who would now qualify. This does not seem to be the case from what I witnessed.

I went online to reapply for a blue badge only to be confronted with ten or more sections of questions and demands.

I really do wonder why a disabled person, who had a badge for 20 years or more in this borough, should be forced to struggle, and watch apparently agile people use disabled spaces and of course, enjoy the ability to park practically anywhere.

As she gets older she has got worse on her feet, not better. The system is flawed or plain wrong.

John Cawley

Cowen Avenue, Harrow