ON the evidence of previous occasions when your correspondent Dino Christodoulou has been mentioned in the Telegraph, he is a charitable man.

He should be aware, therefore, that his remarks concerning wrongful use of the orange disabled badge (Letters, August 2) do not boil down to black and white.

I am the registered driver for a disabled relative. I get out of the car and feel guilty because people stare and think I should be in a wheelchair or at least limping.

My relative has been disabled since birth. Medically, it is a severe handicap, affecting both right arm and leg - yet she is not in a wheelchair.

A combination of pride, willpower and special footwear enable her to be seen as relatively 'normal' (whatever that is).

She has always worked in some capacity and successfully raised two children.

Yet she is accident-prone. If she travels on buses and they set off suddenly, she has had nasty accidents because she can't grab hold quick enough.

She cannot go on country walks because any sort of gravel or rough surface cause her to trip, as do raised paving flags. She has to keep an eye on the ground all the time when she is walking.

Neither can she walk far without getting sore feet.

These are in addition to the fact that she has been denied a number of activities which most of us take for granted.

This is not looking for sympathy; it is simply asking people to be aware that appearances can be deceptive.

Her car is therefore a blessing to her which, I hope, people will not begrudge.

No doubt the orange badge scheme is abused, but life is not as clear-cut as it may appear.

J GRAHAM, Moorland Road, Blackburn.

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