Are We Disabled?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi,

​I'm planning a trip south next month by public transport and although I don't have a disabled 'sticker' or anything to say I am disabled, I'm wondering if anyone has? I have been told I'm disabled because I have an 'artifical hip' but never considered myself disabled? I walk with a stick  outside more often than not, and my hip aches at times but......disabled?

2

Oh it was a 'friend' that said I was disabled not a professional!

3

Although i have not had my thr yet my doctors always tell me i am disabled or that my disability is unusual and so on. I really should look into a blue badge really

4

Good question. I am 2 wks post op from second THR and 9 wks from first. Will I need a wheelchair in airports when I fly March 10?

5

I looked into a blue badge before my op and was told that they give them for hip replacements as you are going to recover and be "normal". They don't issue short term badges here in Norfolk. Don't know about other regions though. xx

6

I havent had my op yet but theres probs not much point trying. I should have tried years ago but iv only recently come to terms with my disability and really began to understand it as its progessively getting worse. If that made any sense 😂 xx

7

Probably not a wheel chair but I expect if you have to walk a long way it might be best to ask for help. I always think I would enjoy being driven in one of those golf buggy type things

8

My Physical Therapist said when traveling always take a cane, they will let us board the plane sooner...I think we are a bit disabled.

9

Thedefinition of disabled is someone who has a physical or mental condition that limits there lifestyle. I do think we are disabled. Like i said my doctors have always told me im disabled due to my condition hahaha

10

I would say no we are not disabled. The whole point of having the operation was surely to enable us to live a normal life again. Of course there will be some exceptions and I get that but I for one have embraced my new lease of life (at 55). I have thrown away my crutches and whilst I'm not dancing on tables I'm not limiting myself either. Having said all that I am now 11 months post op - so an old hippie and it took a while to get to this stage and I still have the occasional ache and pain but on the whole - best thing I did for a long time.

11

In all seriousness I do not think that someone who has had a successful THR is disabled, if that was their only problem. Some people who have had the op may be but probably for a variety of reasons not necessarily the hip.

The people with congenital and other hip and bone deformities will come under the disabled umbrella

12

Thats me then. I just assumed anyone with hip issues would have been classed to but maybe it does depend on other things to

13

I do have a friend who has had 2 replacement knees and one hip replaced. She has a blue badge

14

See i still think after a replacement you would have to limit yourself to prevent accident or is that not really neccissery?

15

I can walk faster and with no stick than one of my friends who has to use a wheeled stroller, and often give her a her a hand. I am reasonably careful but honestly forget about my hip during the working day

16

Aww thats good then. Im going to have to ask millions of questions at my pre op on tuesday because i think my situation is different to others haha but i hope ill be as good as you after the op 😊

17

You should be careful but not obsessive. I rarely think about it. I've done most things. I wouldn't bungee jump but I wouldn't have ever done that anyway. I wouldn't cycle in London (where I live) and probably wouldn't horse ride other than that I would say no such word as can't !!

18

I dont think you are disabled if you have an artificial hip, in most cases we are more "able" than before the operation.

Im sure I read on this forum that in some countries US ? Australia? you can get temporary Blue Badges for parking until you are fully recovered which I think is an excellent idea. Not something we can get as far as I know in the UK.

Hope you have a good trip

Linnet x

19

Yes here in US we get a temporary handicap sticker, I got one months before my surgery.

20

Hi there

Before my thr 9 weeks ago I was unable to walk any distance and applied and got a blue badge it is due for renewal in march and I will speak with my gp to see if I should apply again as she had told me to apply last

march for the badge.

The badge was a great help to me but I would not like to abuse it as it's

only when you are unable to walk that you appreciate how awful it is to

be disabled and how much the badge was of value to me .

So I would say if you cannot walk far and are in pain you would be eligible for the blue badge

I am hoping that when I am fully recovered and when walking any

distance will not be difficult I will not need to apply for the badge

The reason for the operation is to return to a normal life again