Disability

It's expensive being disabled!  I've been trying hard to make sure that I save my target £400 this month but it won't be easy.  This week I had to have repairs done to the Trundle Truck (mobility scooter) and that cost £90.  It set me wondering about just what being disabled costs me.

First what it doesn't cost me.  I have a Blue Badge which means that I get some free parking.  I can park on the street if necessary but I don't like to take advantage of that if there is a car park nearby and occasionally car parks are free to disabled badge holders.  Even if they're not I still prefer to use car parks rather than be in the way on a street.  

I don't have to pay VAT on goods and services directly related to my disability.  This meant that I didn't pay the tax when I bought my scooter and I don't pay it on repairs.  I still have the rest of the cost to find so that was £90 this month as well as the £275 on repairs and maintenance just before Christmas

I can't kneel or sit on the ground and I can't bend to do jobs so I can't manage without the help of a gardener/handyman and a cleaner.  I have to buy a ridiculously large car to transport my trundle truck which means that my fuel bill and road tax are also high.  

Although I am entitled (because of my age) to have a free bus pass it would be no use to me because I need my trundle truck wherever I go.

None of this is to complain.  I know I am very fortunate in that I have enough money to do all this and enough ingenuity to make every penny count.  It is written in sheer frustration at the two ladies who had a very loud conversation (making sure that I could hear) complaining about having to pay 50p for two hours car parking when I had mine free.