'This will make a huge difference': Seriously injured teenager wins Blue Badge appeal
Council reconsiders blue badge appeal for seriously injured teenager
A teenager, left with severe injuries after a car accident, has successfully appealed Wakefield Council's initial rejection of her Blue Badge application.
Wheelchair user Ruby Noon, who suffered life-changing injuries in a car accident, said the u-turn has bought her ‘peace of mind’.
Ruby, 17, suffered a catalogue of injuries when the a Seat Ibiza she was front seat passenger in left the road and struck a tree in Penistone near Barnsley on September 3.
She was airlifted by air ambulance to Sheffield Northern General Hospital and transferred to the spinal unit and underwent 11 hours of surgery for a spinal fracture and two breaks in her right arm.
Ruby, who spent two weeks in hospital, also suffered fractures to both feet, four broken ribs and a collapsed lung.
She is unable to bear any weight for six weeks and has to use a wheelchair to get around.
Her mum Faye applied to the council for a Blue Badge because she had to drop Ruby off in a lay by while she parked up during their regular hospital visits.
Faye applied to Wakefield Council for a blue badge on September 22 so she can use disabled parking spaces.
She was initially told Ruby does not meet the criteria set out by the Government.
Faye said this week: "We have had the call and they have granted it (the Blue Badge) for one year. We are very happy with that. They will reassess it in a year. It went to a panel they said."
Faye, who runs Faye's Sandwich Bar on Wheldon Road, added: "It will make a massive difference. At least now we can go to appointments properly and I don't have to leave her in a layby.
Ruby said: "I' really pleased. It gives me peace of mind that I can go to appointments safely and I can go for a coffee and park somewhere accessible and be able to get out in my wheelchair.”
Her mum Faye takes her to hospital in Sheffield for regular appointments and cannot put the wheelchair next to the passenger door in a regular parking space as their is not enough room.
A Wakefield Council said the Blue Badge application process was reopened after the authority received additional information about Ruby's circumstances.