What do people really think?

Posted by Open-Tip6407@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 30 comments

I have mobility issues & use a walking stick. I have a blue badge & I own my car & work full time. I DO NOT CLAIM BENEFITS. Over the past few months i have recieved an unprecedented amount of grief from people who feel empowered to harrass me.. 'Benefits scum' 'got your dole pole' 'free car' etc etc. This is in public spaces and also my work place, in which i haven't ever had an issue before. I cannot put into words how this feels. I don't want to go out. What exactly should I do to stop this? Is that really what people think these days? I feel like i'm not welcome in public

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30 Comments

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Jonny7421@reddit

People like that are beneath you so why give their opinions such weight? Just tell them to fuck off.

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Curious-Term9483@reddit

Fucking hell. You shouldn't have to deal with that shit and I am sorry it's happening. Out and about in public I don't know what you can do beyond keeping your head up and not engaging. But if you're getting shit at work, that's a very different matter - you need to mention to your manager/HR as this definitely classes as harassment due to your disability. Your employer should be taking that very seriously indeed.

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Silver_Adagio138@reddit

Their own life is shitty and that must be “someone else’s fault”.

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RandomPotato931@reddit

As an immigrant who's lived in the UK for over ten years I definitely feel a shift in how people treat each other. It's not just disabled people. People of different race, religion, sex, are all getting targeted. I understand what you are going through. I'm also scared to go certain places alone now out of fear. Stay strong.

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GeggingIn@reddit

Only thick gobshites. Nobody else thinks that. What a vile way to treat someone.

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skeletonsmiles@reddit

I don’t think this. I hope you have good friends and family who make you feel appreciated. I have utmost respect for anyone that gets through daily life with a struggle. I can’t imagine how hard that must be.

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Ok-Sleep-7449@reddit

Jeeeez that’s awful I’m so sorry. There is absolutely no shame in being disabled, using mobility aids, using a blue badge OR claiming benefits. It’s really concerning and scary to hear these stories as a disabled person who can’t go outside. It puts me off even trying to get out in the future. I kind of thought this was mainly online troll behaviour. I hope you have community around you - disabled and abled to support you through this.

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AbjectGovernment1247@reddit

If you're being bothered in your workplace, you need to get HR involved. That shit is not acceptable.

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RaspberryJammm@reddit

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/29/disabled-britons-report-rise-in-abuse-blue-badges Frances Ryan did an excellent article about this recently. Seems like you're not alone. Honestly I just can't even begin to express how horrified I am at people acting like this. The media has whipped them into a frenzy. Even if you were claiming benefits, you don't deserve to be harassed!!! So many people don't seem to understand that you can't tell by looking at somebody whether they are disabled. And there are ignorant people who think disabled spaces are all for old people. Like young people can't get disabled! Both myself and my partner became severely disabled in our 20s. I rarely leave the house so haven't had any hostility, but I'd get incredibly angry if anybody said any of that shit to me

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zeeber99@reddit

How did you get the blue badge while not on benefits? I ask because I also work full time, do not claim benefits, but I have MS and the badge would be helpful. My symptoms are not severe enough to qualify for PIP.

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AbjectGovernment1247@reddit

https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge

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Isgortio@reddit

I believe you just need a letter from your GP. My mum works full time and has osteoarthritis in her knees and feet so finds it painful to walk, she doesn't receive any benefits at all but got a blue badge.

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qucharski@reddit

You don’t need any benefits etc to be eligible for a blue badge. You have to apply with your local council and I had to send medical evidence for my mother. A few letters from hospital were enough in her case of heart failure. I hope this helps.

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bluebellwould@reddit

It really shouldn't happen. Especially at work. If you feel up to it, raise a complaint but I understand if you don't. I admit to raising an eyebrow when I see someone overweight a scooter but I remind myself that if I were ill and unable to exercise, I'd put on weight too.

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Few_Regret9608@reddit

I'm sorry but where do you live ? In what area do you live and work?

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ImaginaryParrot@reddit

The craze of anti 'DEI' has reached us from the US. It's probably certain hateful people doing it. I'd pay them no mind.

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Spikyleaf69@reddit

I am so sorry this has happened to you & so glad it has never happened to me!

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veryordinarybloke@reddit

That's really shocking and I'm really sorry to hear it. And if you were to receive disability benefits that would be fine. Unfortunately it only takes a few people to create a really nasty atmosphere, and the public has been groomed over many years by the right wing press to look down on anybody getting state help. I would hope that a majority are compassionate, empathetic and polite.

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blueheart86cat@reddit

I’m so sorry that you have had to deal with that . I cannot fathom how people can be such absolute pricks .

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Easy-Equal@reddit

Mate no normal people care live your life and ignore bellends like that you are perfectly fine and doing nothing wrong

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FunkyYoghurt@reddit

No you don't. Why would people continually harass and bully you over something they don't know about?

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ddmf@reddit

Most people don't seem to realise that the blue badge is completely different to motability. Bigots aren't being ostracised enough for being bigots these days, and it's emboldened them. Sorry you've had to deal with this.

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Logical_Hat_47@reddit

I'm sorry this happens to you. I don't have any answers, there are some nasty people about and it seems to be getting worse. I wish I could give you something better than this comment.

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Puzzled_Turnip_5012@reddit

It sadly is what people think these days.

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Ok-Woodpecker-8505@reddit

Fuck them and anyone else that has a problem with you or any other person with a disability. So many people need to mind their own business.

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SituationOk7734@reddit

I think that must be dependant on where you live. My husband has all of the things you do, and he has never had grief. We get a side-eye sometimes when using disability spots, but no one says anything.

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Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit

People are arseholes. And recent years have seen people empowered to be arseholes against "others", whether it's due to disability, race, religion, sexuality, etc.

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ComprehensiveFee8404@reddit

You should get benefits. PIP is not means tested and you can get it whilst in work. Other than that, ignore them. They don't know you. They're just being brainwashed by the right-wing media.

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