A double-amputee ex-Royal Marine lauded as a hero by Prince Harry and the Invictus Video games for his service in Afghanistan, Ben McBean, stated on Tuesday that he was denied a blue badge as a result of he “doesn’t formally meet the factors.”
McBean, who misplaced his arm and leg in a landmine blast in Helmand Province in 2008, was initially granted the badge upon returning to the UK nevertheless it was revoked after council officers noticed him utilizing a prosthetic blade to run the London Marathon in help of Assist For Heroes.
After 13 years, Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer stepped in to help McBean in reclaiming his blue badge. On Tuesday, McBean stated his renewal software for the badge has been rejected, in response to Every day Mail.
Expressing his frustration, McBean said, “I don’t know what extra I’ve received to do, to be sincere. I simply didn’t meet sure standards,” throughout an interview with TalkTV.
“Once I ran the London Marathon a yr later for Assist for Heroes they took it off me as a result of I had proved I may run, mainly.
“So I didn’t have one for 13 years after which Johnny Mercer fortunately stepped in and received me my badge again. That lasted two or three years after which the date ran out.
“I’ve simply tried to resume it and at the moment I received an electronic mail saying it was unsuccessful.”
McBean talked about on-line that he didn’t meet the factors for his Incapacity Dwelling Allowance (DLA), which is linked to the qualification for a blue badge. In keeping with Plymouth Council’s web site, people robotically qualify for a blue badge in the event that they obtain the “increased price mobility part” of DLA.
The veteran broke his ankle on Remembrance Sunday, additional limiting his mobility, notably as he usually depends on one leg.
Expressing his want for help, he said, “It’s my one and solely ankle, so I may actually do with a badge, to be sincere.”
“I used to be on the hospital at the moment however clearly, I can’t park at any nearer bays as a result of my badge is outdated and I’ve been rejected for a brand new one.”
McBean expressed the need to attraction the choice concerning his blue badge renewal. Nonetheless, he famous that delays in receiving a response are fairly disheartening, stating, “It could possibly take as much as 12 weeks to get a response and clearly I’ve received a damaged ankle now.”
On Wednesday, Plymouth Metropolis Council stated it was working with McBean to resume his software, including that his earlier software was rejected as a result of it was made below a distinct identify, which means his particulars weren’t acknowledged.
“Tales within the media saying that conflict veteran Ben McBean has been refused a Blue Badge renewal should not appropriate,” Plymouth Metropolis Council stated in a press release. “Now we have contacted Mr McBean to assist him resolve a difficulty prompted when he submitted a renewal software below a distinct identify, which meant his particulars weren’t recognised.”
Veterans Minister Mercer additionally posted on Wednesday morning that the problem had been resolved. McBean replied, saying he was grateful for his assist.
Regardless of holding a blue badge, McBean, a conflict hero, has confronted accusations of faking his incapacity. Whereas parking in Plymouth, a lady reported him to a visitors warden for allegedly utilizing a pretend badge. McBean defined that the confusion arose as a result of he was carrying skin-colored prosthetics on his leg and arm, which weren’t instantly noticeable to her.
