Finding the fun in FND part two.

We are now starting to adapt to the situation having come to terms with things. Little things like unscrewing new jars for the first time so that Jenny can manage them afterwards. We already have an ECO kettle that boils just one cupful of water at a time from a reservoir tank, so I just need to get used to topping it up when I pass it as she can't lift it once it's full.
Having trained the kids to close the doors to retain heat all winter I'm now having to tell them to leave them open, even wedging them to make access easier.
We will wait to see how things progress before I start the mechanical building alterations to the house, and take advice from the assessor as to what is best. I had considered a ramp for the front door access, but apparently a set of small steps with a handrail might be better.
So, today it's been paperwork and making applications for things. At present with Jenny unable to walk the length of a bus (that's a stationary bus, on the pavement alongside it - a standard bus at that, not a stretchy bendy bus) it is obvious to me that we would benefit from the blue badge/disabled parking scheme. However to qualify for this you have to be in receipt of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) This is not means tested, you either qualify or you don't and you get either the lower payment of about £100 a month or the higher payment of about £400 a month. Whilst the extra money will be nice we don't really need it - although I've paid into the tax system all my life since leaving school I still feel uncomfortable claiming benefits. But without claiming for them we can't access the blue badge scheme which we do need at present. It's a strange affair, but that's the way it is. All we want is to be able to park somewhere close by where we need to be for the medical appointments she will have on a regular basis in the months to come.
Having never applied for benefits it comes as a shock to know how easy it is. They want details of bank accounts, dates of birth, maiden names and stuff, then your doctors and consultants details - but at no point did they ask about mobility. Likewise with the blue badge scheme - at no point did anyone ask what my car was (obviously a Range Rover isn't compulsory for parking in a disabled bay, whereas I always thought it was) Nor did they ask how overweight I was, what brand of tracksuit I wore, how many sovereign rings I had on each hand or the name of my Rottweiler. Experience shows me that is one stereotypical disabled badge holder. The other  type wears a Trilby, and drives a beige Mini Metro and has a small yappy dog called Brian.
Anyhow, it appears the blue badge will cost £10, and may take up to three weeks if granted, whilst the PIP may take longer.
I will point out right away that I have the same feelings about blue badge holders that my dad had. He had one in the latter years of his life due to being almost lame in his left leg, however he wouldn't park in the disabled bays unless he was having a bad day. He would point to the sign and say, "They are for people in wheelchairs." He would then park the other side of the car park in the empty bays furthest form the door s and limp across with his stick. If Jenny is having a good day, when she is physically unimpeded that is what we shall do. If she's having a bad day and needs the frame then we'll use the disabled bays Or I'll drop her off in one then move the car to a normal bay to leave it free for the next disabled driver/passenger arriving. That's the way it should work.