Terminally ill man says thanks to the South London Press for help to get his Blue badge

BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

A father-of-three with terminal cancer has thanked the South London Press and Mercury for saving him hundreds of pounds in taxis fares while he gets hospital treatment to make his last months easier.

Charles James, who lives on a boat in Plough Way, Greenland Dock, Rotherhithe, was having to spend up to £200 a week on cabs to get to St Thomas’ Hospital for treatment because he did not have a blue badge.

But the 78-year-old’s application for a disabled parking permit, backed by his surgeon, palliative nurse and doctor, had already taken weeks to process, so his cash was draining away on taxis.

He and his wife Penelope called Southwark town hall repeatedly to check on what had happened to the application – and called the complaints line three times.

The family’s fury at the delays amid Charles’ deteriorating health sparked them into calling this newspaper on November 6. Reporter Toby Porter called Southwark that day – and Charles got a phone call from the town hall that evening.

“I don’t know what kind of miracle worker you are but it was sorted out the next day,” said Charles, who has cancer of his pancreas, prostate and spine and has been given a year to live by his doctors.

He applied for a blue badge on September 25 and the form was signed by a palliative nurse who helped him fill out the form. He submitted it
online, with the nurse’s help, that day.

He had an early appointment on a Friday but had to go to hospital the night before it, because he was in a lot of pain – he was kept in until the following Monday.

He and his wife tried to make a new appointment repeatedly by phone, but kept getting an answering machine telling them to leave a message and that someone would get back to them. But nobody did.

He had been going to Guy’s Hospital for other tests, appointments and radiotherapy – it was costing him about £200 a week – a £20 taxi trip there and for five appointments a week.

But one of his three daughters could easily drive him there if he had a blue badge. His wife believes he has spent up to £1,000 on taxis until he got the blue badge – they were desperate to avoid more expense at a very difficult time.

Penelope, 72, said: “When I said he had not been able to go to the blue badge appointment because he was rushed to hospital, I felt they did not believe me – like it was a feeble excuse.

We were told we would be sent another appointment but it did not happen. We left messages on the complaints answering machine, maybe half a dozen times – because no one answers the phone, but nothing happened.

When you do get someone, they can’t tell you what’s happening.”

Charles was in pain for two months before he was diagnosed. His wife said: “He could not sleep. There were so many appointments and we were told so many things, but you feel like you cannot keep it all in.

“Then they told him to get his affairs in order, that he had a year to live. That was two months ago.”

Charles said: “What’s the point of being down about it? You have to be upbeat to stay alive a bit longer.

“You need to be calm, not mad.

“Four years ago I had throat cancer. That was not a walk in the park. I had 20 hits of radiotherapy at St Thomas’. Then the consultant said I was out of the woods.

“So to be told – when I thought it was just back pain – that I had cancer in my pancreas, prostate, pelvic bones and upper leg – it was a shock.

“I have had five hits of radiotherapy in my lower spine, with a machine that cost £2million, but it has not done much good, because of the spread.

“Without the tablets, I would not be able to cope.

“The council did not seem to take much notice of the appeal for a blue badge from my doctor and surgeon. I don’t know who you spoke to or what you did, but you achieved much more.

“Now I have started chemo, it will save £40 a day. Thank you.”

Councillor Kieron Williams, cabinet member for housing management and modernisation, said: “We feel deeply for Mr James and his family at this difficult time.

We spoke to him on November 7 and were able to reassure him that his application has been approved and that his Blue Badge is on its way.”

It arrived the following day.