(Spanish version here)

My husband, David, has  advanced Parkinson’s Disease.  He also has dementia and Pisa Syndrome.  His deterioration has been rapid in recent months and he cannot eat or dress himself, he has great difficulty communicating and for some time has been unable to walk.  He has to use a wheelchair as the risk of him falling is very high.

When we go out in the car, I cannot leave David anywhere while I try and find a parking space.  We need to use the disabled parking spaces.

We are British citizens but have lived in Spain for seven years, we know there is a European parking badge for people with reduced mobility, which can be used in disabled parking bays in other areas.  This would make life so much easier for David and other people with reduced mobility.

When the UK left the EU, in order that people with disabilities were not affected, arrangements were made with the majority of European countries.  If my husband went to Portugal, Belgium or Germany and many others there would be no problem parking in a disabled bay.

There is no doubt that in Spain, this is a problem.  Spain has left the decision on criteria for disabled parking badges to the autonomous regions, for example in Valencia where we live, we cannot park. This is especially difficult in hospital car parks, at times we have to mark a long way from the doors when there are free disable parking spaces near the doors.

Please sign our petition to ask the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Immigration to follow the example of the majority of European countries and make a decision that UK residents, like my husband who needs it, to obtain a disabled parking badge.

For months David has fallen, almost every day and has had numerous hospital attendances for quite serious injuries and doctors advised that he should always use a wheelchair.  At following neurology appointments, two neurologists said he should be given a disabled parking badge.

We have an appointment with a Specialist Neurologist at La Fé hospital in Valencia, some 2.5 hours away and, because we cannot park there we are travelling by ambulance.  Why should taxpayers carry the cost of using an ambulance when we could simply use a disabled parking bay?  We know that my husband is not the only person affected in this way and I believe that a change must be made.

Spain must follow the example of other European countries that have followed the agreement and allow people with disabilities and their carers to access public places and be able to park.  Especially hospitals and heath centres.  Please help us by signing this petition.