‘I was left with life-changing injuries in a car crash - now my blue badge has been rejected’
The 17-year-old says she is being forced to get out in a lay-by during regular hospital trips
A teenager left with life-changing injuries in a car crash was left furious after her application for a blue badge parking permit was rejected.
Ruby Noon, of Castleford, is hoping a decision to refuse her application for a blue badge parking permit is reconsidered.
The 17-year-old suffered a catalogue of injuries when the Seat Ibiza she was a passenger in left the road and struck a tree in Penistone near Barnsley on September 3.
She uses a wheelchair and her mother Faye has to drop her off in a lay-by while she parks up during their regular hospital visits.
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 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.
Faye applied to Wakefield Council for a blue badge on September 22 so she can use disabled parking spaces when taking Ruby to the hospital.
She was initially told Ruby does not meet the criteria set out by the Government.
Faye said: "I just can't believe they have rejected it so quickly.”
Ruby added: "I was angry. It's restricting me from being able to go to appointments safely.
"I can't get out between the parked cars so mum has to drop me off in a layby."
A Wakefield Council spokesperson said: “We’ve recently received additional information about Ruby’s circumstances.
“That’s enabled us to reopen the process, and we’ll be providing an update on her application in the near future.”