Free disabled parking not a matter of pride (From Western Telegraph)

Free disabled parking not a matter of pride

Dear Editor, - Reg Owens makes a good mouthpiece for the council and the hospital authorities, but I doubt if he speaks for the Pembrokeshire Access Group, and neither he nor that group has authority to speak for every disabled person in the county. Few of us disabled would share his view that free parking impairs our pride and equality. I have been unemployed for a number of years because of my disability and money is therefore tight. Accepting whatever financial help might be available has nothing whatsoever to do with my pride or equality; it recognises both the extra costs and lack of earning capacity that disability usually brings. If one were to follow Mr Owens' thinking, then logically all financial support such as Disability Living Allowance and Mobility Allowance should also be withdrawn from the disabled. Mr Owens is also wrong in suggesting that Pembrokeshire's current free disabled parking is 'unique'. Most local authorities I have visited allow free disabled parking.

Christopher Price Cilcam, Eglwyswrw.