UNLIKE Francis Cross (Letters, November 30), I hope people do not take my earlier remarks about orange badge holders with a pinch of salt.

I would like to again tell people that anyone from two years upwards can apply for an orange badge.

I fully agree there are people who abuse the system and, because of them, genuine disabled drivers suffer.

My husband, two daughters and two grandchildren suffer from a disability, so, like Mr Cross, I too have experience of dealing with disabled parking.

We live in a world full of discrimination and selfishness. There is nothing we can do about that but I, for one, am grateful for the orange badge.

A blind man said to me a few years ago: "If I lived in another country, I would have a begging bowl." Every time I get frustrated, that brings me down to earth.

SYLVIA HOPWOOD (Mrs), Manchester Road, Nelson.

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