A council worker suggested a wheelchair–bound amputee could run a marathon while denying his request for a blue parking badge.
Nigel Ward, 71, sent Norfolk County Council photos of himself standing on one leg and sitting in his wheelchair in his application for the permit.
Mr Ward had his left leg amputated above the knee after an accident on a cruise three years ago.
He was given a prosthetic leg and has had a blue badge ever since.
But he has had two recent applications to renew his permit rejected by the council, who said he had not provided sufficient medical evidence.
A council officer even suggested the retired wealth investment manager could have an undisclosed 'spring leg' and be mobile enough to run a marathon.
Mr Ward said he can't provide new medical proof as he no longer regularly see a doctor now he has a prosthetic leg.
He is now considered 'independent' and only requires assistance if something was to go wrong with his prosthetic leg or stump.
However, the pensioner said he has 'lost confidence' in his prosthetic following a fall in which he broke his femur on his amputated leg.
Amputee Nigel Ward, 71, has been asked for more proof of his disability by his local council after asking for a renewal of his Blue Badge, which he's had for the past three year
The Department for Transport's blue badge scheme allows people with severe mobility issues to park closer to shops, hospitals and other destinations.
Mr Ward said the situation was 'immensely' stressful for himself and his family.
He said: 'At the moment, I don't know where to turn. I'm fully aware we have a welfare problem in this country but I'm genuinely disabled.
'The door of the car needs to be opened as wide as possible for me to be able to get out comfortably for a wheelchair or my sticks.
'I'm not a confident walker with my prosthetic since I fell over and I find it uncomfortable to walk any distance at all.
'I feel genuinely that I need a blue badge.'
Mr Ward was on a cruise in the Caribbean when he suffered an unexpected aneurysm rupture in the back of his knee in 2023.
He was treated on the ship before being airlifted to the Azores - and had an amputation of his left leg above the knee due to tissue death.
Mr Ward said the situation was 'immensely' stressful for himself and his family
Mr Ward received further treatment at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital where he was given a prosthetic leg and a blue badge.
He recently submitted a new request for his permit in line with expiry procedures but it has now been rejected twice by Norfolk County Council.
He said: 'I have never been able to walk unaided with the prosthetic limb and I always need to be accompanied for someone to give me my sticks.
'While I can drive our automatic car, I can't wear my prosthetic leg because the socket that covers my stump does not fit between the steering wheel and the seat.
'That means I need assistance in getting to my wheelchair, with the car door open as wide as it can - which is why I need access to disabled parking.'
Mr Ward is calling on the council to seek certification from an expert assessor to verify his disability and re-examine medical evidence he provided three years ago.
He said: 'I think they (the council) are alluding to the fact that there are certainly people, amputees, who wear prosthetics and who are able to cope and manage quite well, as if it was just an extension of the normal limb'.
'Now, I'm not in that category. My walking with the prosthetic limb is very limited.
'I've never actually counted, but I doubt that I could walk 50 steps without needing to stop for a few minutes to take a breath.'
Mr Ward's daughter, Helen Robinson, wrote that she was 'absolutely appalled' that her father's application had been denied by the council.
She said: 'What more evidence is needed to demonstrate the significant impact that losing a leg above the knee can have on someone's mobility?
'Why is someone who has already been recognised as eligible for a blue badge now being put through this process again, having to prove their circumstances all over again? Do you think legs miraculously grow back?
'Someone at the council actually said this to Dad on the phone, 'We don't know that you don't have one of those spring legs and could run a marathon!'
'At 71, my dad should not have to face this level of stress and uncertainty just to access the parking support he needs.
'A blue badge is not a luxury or a privilege to be taken lightly. It can make a real difference to the independence, dignity and everyday life of a disabled person.'
Since sharing his story online, the family have received several messages from people saying they were also struggling to renew their permits.
Mr Ward believes an uptick in fraudulent claims for blue badges has led to legitimate applications being scrutinised more closely.
Norfolk County Council said: 'We know how important blue badges are for helping people to remain independent. We have to work within the guidance set for us by the Department for Transport, which includes detailed guidance how eligibility should be assessed through evidence and assessments.
'As detailed on our website, applicants must adequately evidence the difficulties they experience whilst walking, this applies to those reapplying for an expiring Blue Badge as well as first time applications.
'There is no renewal process, and applicants are required to evidence their ongoing eligibility with each application. Evidence could include letters, reports or details of treatment from a medical professional.
'Anyone requiring help with a blue badge application or who is unable to use the online application process can call the council's Customer Service Centre on 0344 800 8020, and we would be happy to provide support and advice.'