Transport Ministry Revokes Disabled Parking Permit for Parkinson's Patient
The Ministry of Transport revoked the disabled parking permit of a 66-year-old advanced Parkinson's patient, drawing a legal appeal over a decision that leaves her confined to her home.
The Ministry of Transport is facing serious legal challenges after revoking the disabled parking permit of a 66-year-old Parkinson's disease patient, a decision her attorneys argue effectively confines her to her home. The case involves a widow and mother of two who has battled advanced Parkinson's for roughly 18 years, struggling with basic daily activities including dressing, bathing, mobility, eating, and managing bodily functions.
Medical Condition and Progression
Due to her deteriorating condition, the patient relies on a 24-hour live-in foreign caregiver. Although she was originally granted a disabled parking permit in 2024, the Ministry of Transport revoked her eligibility in September 2025, refusing to renew the permit despite the fact that her medical condition has steadily worsened rather than improved.
Appeal and Expert Testimony
Following the cancellation, attorneys Raphael Almog and Ariel Gold of the Raphael Almog & Co. law firm took on the case pro bono. They submitted an appeal to the Ministry's Mobility-Impaired Licensing Unit, attaching an updated medical evaluation from Prof. Sharon Hassin, a prominent neurology and movement disorders specialist.
"The patient suffers from advanced, severe, and highly fluctuating Parkinson's disease, experiencing profound mobility limitations and complex nursing care needs," Prof. Hassin stated in her professional assessment.
According to the expert's evaluation, the patient experiences between five and six hours of "off" states daily, during which she suffers from severe freezing, complete lack of energy, inability to stand from a chair, and quiet, slow speech. During these episodes, she requires constant assistance from her caregiver for basic functions and runs a high risk of falling. Even during "on" states, her balance remains severely impaired, making public transportation impossible and leaving her entirely dependent on private vehicle transport with a caregiver.
Legal Arguments and Demands
Despite the detailed medical documentation, the Ministry of Transport rejected the appeal. A licensing authority physician reviewed the file and concluded that the patient's medical disability percentage did not reach the 60% threshold required for the permit, prompting the formal denial.
In their formal response, her attorneys argued that the decision is completely unreasonable, lacking any physical examination or genuine engagement with her actual functional status. They emphasized that the licensing authority relied narrowly on bureaucratic disability percentages while ignoring her severe nursing dependency and legal alternatives.
For this patient, the attorneys stress, a disabled parking permit is not a luxury or a minor convenience, but an absolute prerequisite for leaving her home to receive medical treatments and handle essential errands. The legal team is demanding that the Ministry cancel its rejection, immediately restore her parking privileges, and grant a permanent permit given the irreversible and progressive nature of her condition.
