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Should I even try for disabled badge?

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  • 23-11-2014 8:20pm
    #1
    goz83
    Registered Users Posts: 8,034 ✭✭✭


    I had a car accident in April. It resulted in significant herniated lumbar disc, causing loss of signal, pain and leg weakness. I was unable to drive until a few weeks ago and had to move to an automatic car.

    I am taking morphine, among other pain killers, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories. My mobility is very much reduced. It varies from having to rest after as little as 20-30 metres, to being able to go a couple of hundred metres, which leaves me exhausted and needing hours of rest after. I am 31. Stuck in the public system, waiting on spinal surgery and also waiting on a pain clinic appointment, which will be a 12 month wait.

    A disabled parking badge would be a massive help to me, but I don't know if I would even qualify. I don't know if my condition will be permanent, but it has certainly deteriorated since the accident. I have 2 minor slipped discs in my neck and a possible 4th one in my thoracic spine that I need to have checked out. I collapsed and was found unconscious on Tuesday morning and taken to hospital. This, I suspect was from the walking (advised by GP and surgeons) I had done the day before, which left me in quite a state.

    I would like opinions here if possible. I haven't a clue as to how I would go about this. I don't have a medical card, or anything.


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    #2
    mistress_gi
    Registered Users Posts: 963 ✭✭✭mistress_gi


    Most definitely try. I have one because I had a pulmonary embolism and it is hard to breath when I have to walk long distances.
    Give these guys a call:
    www.ddai.ie/

    They will send you a form, you have to get your gp to complete it send it in with everything and 35 euros and you should get one soon. These are only valid for 2 years so it doesn't matter if your condition is temporary.
    You should also try to get a primary certificate.
    Find your local HSE and ask them for more info.
    Good luck


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    #3
    dyanne
    Registered Users Posts: 47 ✭dyanne


    Morphine has a huge amount of side effects, including dizziness and drowsiness - you probably shouldn't drive until you know exactly how it effects you and whether that was to blame for your incident.


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    #4
    goz83
    Registered Users Posts: 8,034 ✭✭✭goz83


    mistress_gi wrote: »
    Most definitely try. I have one because I had a pulmonary embolism and it is hard to breath when I have to walk long distances.
    Give these guys a call:
    www.ddai.ie/

    They will send you a form, you have to get your gp to complete it send it in with everything and 35 euros and you should get one soon. These are only valid for 2 years so it doesn't matter if your condition is temporary.
    You should also try to get a primary certificate.
    Find your local HSE and ask them for more info.
    Good luck

    Thanks again. I contacted the ddai and they sent out an application. I had my GP complete the form and rather than just enter 50 metres or less, I wanted him to complete it honestly and say as I said above. I was surprised, but I received it a couple of days ago and already it has come in handy. I was able to park a few metres away from Murrays in the city, to go purchase a walking stick. I felt like an old man, but these steps have......well, given me extra steps. Thank you!


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