NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / World

The 'ignorant, threatening' note left on a disabled woman's car

By Connor Boyd
Daily Mail·
24 Feb, 2018 07:02 PM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

The note left for Paige and her mother read: "This selfish action deprives a disabled person of somewhere to park."

The note left for Paige and her mother read: "This selfish action deprives a disabled person of somewhere to park."

A father has slammed an anonymous driver who left a vile note on his wife's windscreen branding her and their disabled daughter "selfish" for parking in a blue badge space.

Alan Tanner, 52, called the motorist a coward and warned him not to judge a book by its cover in the future.

Julie Tanner, 55, and daughter Paige, 23, were out shopping in Reading when they parked their car in a disabled spot, according to the Daily Mail.

Paige Tanner, 23, has a blue badge because she suffers from the chromosome disorder Tetrasomy 18p which leaves her needing constant care. Photo / Facebook
Paige Tanner, 23, has a blue badge because she suffers from the chromosome disorder Tetrasomy 18p which leaves her needing constant care. Photo / Facebook

Paige has a blue badge because she suffers from the chromosome disorder Tetrasomy 18p, a condition that has left her unable to do anything for herself and reliant on round-the-clock care.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

When Paige and Julie returned to their car they found the sick message wedged under the windscreen wiper.

The note read: "You will be reported for illegal use of a blue badge space.

"I witnessed you and your young able bodied daughter park the car at the precinct with no sign of disability.

"This selfish action deprives a disabled person of somewhere to park."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
The vile note found on the car.
The vile note found on the car.

Tanner, from Reading, Berkshire, said his family were upset by the note and he slammed the culprit as "ignorant".

He told the MailOnline: "I think it's completely cowardly. I would like them to see her for a week and then they would see why she needs that blue badge.

"Do you have to be in a wheelchair now for people to accept you're disabled?

"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover. On top of that my daughter is severely disabled and it is ignorant for someone not to notice that.

Discover more

World

Body found years after cremation

25 Feb 06:44 AM
Alan Tanner, from Reading, Berkshire, said his family were upset by the note and he slammed the culprit as "ignorant". Pictured: Mr Tanner and his wife Julie. Photo / Facebook
Alan Tanner, from Reading, Berkshire, said his family were upset by the note and he slammed the culprit as "ignorant". Pictured: Mr Tanner and his wife Julie. Photo / Facebook

"My wife devotes her life to being Paige's full-time carer, she can't look after herself, take care of her hygiene or walk long distances.

"I would like to enlighten people and make them realise that disabilities come in all shapes and sizes. For my family we'd like an apology- I don't think I'll ever get it though."

Tanner posted a message aimed at the motorist onto his Facebook account.

He said: "To the person that wrote this letter, do not judge unless you know the full details of someone's disability.

Mr Tanner uploaded a picture of the note to social media in the hopes that the culprit would see it. Photo / Facebook
Mr Tanner uploaded a picture of the note to social media in the hopes that the culprit would see it. Photo / Facebook

"Paige is not a young girl as you stated but a 23-year-old adult who is severely mentally disabled and requires one to one support at all times."

Tanner uploaded a picture of the note to social media in the hopes that the culprit would see it.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Many users commented on the post offering their sympathies.

Kerry Mills wrote: "Absolutely disgusting I hope the person that wrote this is very ashamed and u get an apology. Think before you judge."

Despite having severe learning difficulties, the culprit described Paige as a "young able-bodied daughter with no sign of disability". Photo / Facebook
Despite having severe learning difficulties, the culprit described Paige as a "young able-bodied daughter with no sign of disability". Photo / Facebook

Sybil Avann commented: "This was not an illegal use of a disabled badge. I know this family and whoever you are, should be ashamed of yourself."

Natalie Leng said: "Disability comes in many different forms so many that are invisible to others ... such a shame that people feel that it is OK to comment when they know very little."

Lisa Brown wrote: "Disgusting...disabilities come in all shapes and sizes...its outrageous that people judge when they don't know the facts."

Save

    Share this article

Latest from World

World

Syrian forces accused of ‘executions’ in Druze area as Israel launches strikes

Watch
Premium
Analysis

Australian leader’s bonhomie in China belies delicate balancing act

World

French PM proposes cutting national holidays to cut debt


Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from World

Syrian forces accused of ‘executions’ in Druze area as Israel launches strikes
World

Syrian forces accused of ‘executions’ in Druze area as Israel launches strikes

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Syrian government forces and their allies had executed 19 people in and around Sweida. Video / NZ Herald

Watch
15 Jul 09:45 PM
Premium
Premium
Australian leader’s bonhomie in China belies delicate balancing act
Analysis

Australian leader’s bonhomie in China belies delicate balancing act

15 Jul 09:35 PM
French PM proposes cutting national holidays to cut debt
World

French PM proposes cutting national holidays to cut debt

15 Jul 08:41 PM


Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

06 Jul 09:47 PM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP