Mum who defiantly parks in disabled spots despite being denied a permit for her blind daughter is subjected to savage trolling every time she pulls up
- Mother abused for parking in a disability spot with her blind six-year-old child
- Taylor Blennerhassett said she was denied a disability spot for her daughter
- She continues to park in them out of fear daughter will walk into traffic
A mother with a blind six-year-old says she will defy the trolls and continue to park in disabled spots – despite being refused a permit on a technicality.
Taylor Blennerhassett parks in disability spots because daughter Mackenna Murray suffers from septo-optic dysplasia, which has caused blindness – a condition not covered under Queensland’s parking permit criteria.
The Townsville mother has repeatedly returned to her car with abusive notes telling her she has ‘no right’ to park where she does.
Townsville mother Taylor Blennerhassett, 27, said she has been abused for parking in disabled spots with her blind daughter after they were denied a permit to park in them (stock)
‘I get permission from Mackenna’s school, they’ve gone to the effort of printing me out a piece of paper to say that I’m allowed to park in the disabled spots,’ she told the Townsville Bulletin.
‘Otherwise I receive notes on my car, abusive messages to say that I had no right parking there, it was for people with disabilities.’
Ms Blennerhassett said she lives in fear that her daughter could walk into traffic if they are at a distance from where they need to be.
She said Mackenna’s condition has made it ‘challenging’ when she leaves the house, as she needs to juggle another child with behavioural issues.
The 27-year-old said that having the distance lessened would make all the difference and that it is ‘unfair’ they weren’t granted disability parking.
She said it was a ‘kick in the guts’ when they were denied the pass.
‘It is absolute bull***, I have to tell her when there’s a step, I have to tell her when there’s a ditch or any obstacle in her way, if I don’t do that she’ll trip and hurt herself,’ she said.
Ms Blennerhassett said she lives in fear that her daughter could walk out into traffic if they are at a distance from where they need to be (stock)
Currently Queensland’s disability parking permits are given to people who require 24/7 access to wheelchairs as they can’t walk and people who’s ability to walk has been severely restricted due to a medical condition or disability they’ve had for more than six months.
Medical conditions and disabilities have to be certified by a doctor or occupational therapist.
A Transport and Main Roads Minister told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Following community feedback, Transport and Main Roads is currently assessing the feasibility of expanding the Australian Disability Parking Permit Scheme criteria to include people with vision impairment.
‘We commissioned an independent consultant to undertake the review, which has involved consultation with community, government and disability sector stakeholders.’