AS a disabled person who has difficulty walking, I was interested to read the letter from a mother about "Who's disabled"? in last weeks SAM.

There are a number of points worth making.

While I recognise her own difficulty with young children, she has based her arguments on one observation that the OAP was going to play squash.

She fails to recognise that even a disabled person, depending on the disability is allowed - even encouraged to take appropriate exercise at a level they can reach.

I try to swim, but very badly - but it is therapeutic.

At the same time I recognise there is terrible misuse of the orange badge.

I know that some borrow a relatives badge and use it for themselves.

This misuse of the badge and the blatant use of disabled spaces by non-disabled users are part of the malaise of our current society. So selfish and shortsighted, because one day they may be disabled.

So I understand your anxiety but, please, don't make quick judgements about a person's ability or lack of it.

Do what you can to protect the needs of the genuine orange-badge holders.

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