Tom
Some of the apparently fit and healthy people may be blind 1, and blindness doesn't stop you from running half marathons (so long as you have an at least equally fit guide).
No doubt abuse of the Blue Badge scheme does take place, but not all situations that look like abuse are actual abuses. Bona fide Blue Badge holders also have cause to complain about non-holders using spaces allocated for them, with apparently no restraint or sanction.
Blind people cannot drive cars, but do not get the higher level of mobility allowance. Many, if not most people confined to wheelchairs, especially if young, can drive adapted cars, and also get the higher level of mobility allowance. This somewhat unfair situation is currently being campaigned against, as blind people living in areas of poor public transport effectively become housebound. I do not begrudge the wheelchair users their money - it is poor compensation for their disability. Equity would be nice.
Disability is not just the obvious paralysis or loss of limbs - there are many other conditions that do not have such overt symptoms that can be equally or more disabling. Emphysema, epilepsy, agoraphobia, ME, anterogade amnesia, and autism (just to name a few) are not obvious from just looking at someone, but all can be profoundly disabling.
I'm all for abuse being stamped out - that way those who should be looked after by society can have more resources devoted to their care. We all grow old.
Sid
1 or at least be registered blind. You do not have to have zero vision to be registered blind, 'just' a sufficient degree of impairment. I don't have the regulations to hand.
