This is Lincolnshire --A former RAF navigator whose spine was twisted when two Tornados crashed in Lincolnshire has won his battle for a disabled blue parking badge.
Nearly 20 years after cheating death, former Flight Lieutenant Ian Weaver was shocked when Lincolnshire County Council rejected his renewal application.
But he has praised the councillor who came to his aid after airing his annoyance on social media sites – and the refusal has been overturned on appeal.
Mr Weaver, now 53, broke his neck and suffered brain injuries when the £20 million aircraft from RAF Coningsby collided in mid-air.
He survived the training exercise accident with the three other aircrew as the wreckage from the planes was scattered on farmland near Metheringham and Sleaford.
But he never flew again and, after a lengthy spell of desk duty, was discharged from the RAF as a disabled veteran.
"I've had a blue badge for 15 years and it's always been renewed with no problems at all," said Mr Weaver, who lives at North Hykeham.
"It ran out on November 16 and I applied for a replacement but on January 14 I got a refusal letter.
"I was so incensed I wrote back – it was a rant because my injuries aren't apparent.
"As I suffer from neurological pain due to brain injury the normal medication just doesn't touch it. My spinal cord was damaged, affecting my entire nervous system.
"So in the winter I have major problems with the weather. If it's raining my legs, feet and hands burn as if I've put them in scalding water. It's agony and I can't walk far.
"In the summer I can't justify having a blue badge and I only ever use it when I need to.
"I'd really like to thank Councillor Richard Davies because soon after he heard about my situation the decision was reversed."
A website called Rantosaurus – which aims to help solve complaints by members of the public – had picked up Mr Weaver's case.
It was shared across Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, attracting more than 1,400 page views, 122 retweets and 300 shares in a couple of hours.
The story was seen by Conservative county councillor Richard Davies, who is the authority's executive member for highways.
Cllr Davies took up the matter with his authority and the following day Mr Weaver was emailed by Matthew Turk, a senior business support assistant in the blue badge department at county offices in Newland, Lincoln.
It said: "As part of our appeal process I have considered the additional information you provided and I can confirm I have approved your application for a blue badge.
Cllr Davies said: "I have never met Mr Weaver, but I know his history and background – and it is clear he is a hero.
"I follow social media extensively and look at what people are tweeting the county council and if something falls into my remit then I like to get involved.
"I'm really pleased and it is nice to help such a deserving case." Reported by This is 14 hours ago.