A MOTHER has been left frustrated after repeatedly being rejected by Bradford Council when applying for a Blue Badge.

Back in 2017, Trudy Best’s son Harris Walsh, now seven-years-old, was diagnosed with autism and joint hypermobility.

The conditions have affected his ability to walk and caused him to suffer with severe anxiety.

The hypermobility means Harris must wear a special ankle boots, provided by the NHS.

He is also unable to do PE at school and has to sit on a chair while all the other children read stories with the teacher on the floor.

The Blue Badge scheme is a national scheme which gives parking concessions for people with certain disabilities to park nearer to their destination.

Trudy, who lives in BD6 with Harris and her husband, has applied for the badge on four occasions with the replies always delivering the same answer.

She said: “They always say unfortunately not this time. I am like what else do I need to do.

“He has got really bad anxiety as well. When we are out Harris’ legs and knees start hurting and then he needs his Calpol. I have to massage his legs too, it is horrendous.

“I try and park as close to the shop as possible but in the end, I have to result to online shopping.

“We don’t do benefits, me and my husband both work. We are only asking for a Blue Badge, and we just can’t get it.”

In a letter sent to Trudy on May 3, 2019, Bradford Council said: “Whilst I appreciate that you have a condition/s that have a degree of impact on your mobility, unfortunately, I am unable to issue you with a blue badge.

“The reasons for not issuing a badge are that from all the information available to us the applicant’s degree of disability should not fall short of that required to qualify for the Higher Rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance and therefore you do not appear to meet the strict eligibility criteria.”

Also in that year, on August 30, the Council said people with hidden disabilities, including autism, may be entitled to a Blue Badge.

This May, the Council sent another letter to Trudy outlining the criteria of what was needed to get a badge.

The criteria included people who get the Higher Rate of Mobility part of Disability Living Allowance and people who get eight or more points under the “moving around descriptor” for the mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Based on this, they said Harris did not qualify.

Citizens Advice say: “You can also apply for a badge if you care for a child with a health condition that affects their mobility.”

“If you’re not automatically eligible, you can still get a badge if you have long term problems walking or going to places - including problems caused by stress, anxiety or other mental health issues or you’re applying on behalf of a child aged over two who has problems walking or going to places.”

When approached by the Telegraph & Argus, Bradford Council said it does not comment on individual cases but did insist it would get in contact with Trudy regarding the issue.