SIR – After reading columnist John Phillpott’s comments about disabled car parking spaces (Worcester News, July 24), I felt the need to speak up on behalf of people with disabilities.

I am in complete shock that such comments [“If you are really disabled then how come you are fit enough to drive a complicated bit of machinery like a car?”] are still being made in this day and age.

Firstly, I would imagine that the majority of people would have the decency to leave disabled bays available for blue badge holders.

It would not be for the fear of being greeted by a so-called “jobsworth” as Mr Phillpott puts it.

It would simply be because people recognise that others have greater needs or limitations. If someone has chosen to park in a disabled bay without a blue badge then they deserve to get a ticket anyway.

Secondly, exactly what era is Mr Phillpott living in?

Since when does having a disability make you incapable of driving?

Would he prefer that anybody with a disability was locked away and housebound.

Maybe he needs to get out and speak to people who struggle on a daily basis but do their very best to have some quality of life. In the words of my 10-year-old son: “Just because you have sore and painful joints, you can still drive.”

Clearly he has more understanding than some adults. I hope I have left Mr Phillpott with some food for thought as his article certainly made me sit up and think.

DONNA SAUNDERS
Worcester NRAS volunteer coordinator