A GRANDFATHER who has had both of his knees replaced and struggles to even walk to his car has been stripped of his Blue Badge.
Dennis Cant, 77, of Cripsey Avenue, Ongar, said he feels like a prisoner in his own home after Essex County Council took away the parking badge that he had held for the past decade.
The badge was taken away after the former chauffeur completed a questionnaire about his mobility.
Mr Cant, a father of two and grandfather of three, said this week: "I am a prisoner in my own home.
"I have had both my knees replaced, I have a metal plate in my neck, I am on the list to have my hip replaced – I am not trying to scam anyone.
"The assessment that they carried out didn't even seem medical.
"I went to the centre in Brentwood where I saw a qualified physio.
"He didn't look at my legs, and he just asked me a list of questions and then told me to walk round the car park.
"When I first heard I was going to be assessed I was happy.
"I thought it would finally sort out all the scammers and frauds that abused the system and made it hard to find a disabled bay empty.
"When they rejected my claim I was shocked.
"I appealed, believing it would be through a doctor this time and they just did the exact same assessment again.
"My partner can't drive so she has been made a prisoner by this as well.
"They are telling me that I can walk 200 metres when walking to the end of my garden is a struggle – my garden isn't huge and I walk with two sticks."
Mr Cant's badge was taken away from him earlier this month and he has no right to appeal again until six months have passed.
Partner June Goodman, who lives with Mr Cant, said: "It has been a real struggle without the Blue Badge.
"I can't drive and living in Ongar, where the public transport is terrible, means I rely on him."
Mr Cant added: "I am moving out of this house because of it.
"I need to be closer to family in London now that I can't do as many things for myself."
County councillor John Aldridge, cabinet member for adults social care, said: "New legislation introduced by the Department for Transport in April 2012 sets out the revised guidelines for the issue of Blue Badges to applicants that meet the automatic criteria or discretionary entitlement criteria.
"In the case of Mr Cant, Essex County Council's decision followed these new guidelines."
