Mom With MS Finds Nasty Note After Parking In Handicapped Spot

Illinois Patch ^ | Nov 15, 2017 | Shannon Antinori

[KeyLargo]

Mom With MS Finds Nasty Note After Parking In Handicapped Spot

By Shannon Antinori, Patch National Staff | Nov 15, 2017 Updated Nov 15, 2017

"You need to think twice before judging someone," the Plainfield mom said. " You have no idea what they've been through." By Shannon Antinori, Patch National Staff | Nov 15, 2017 2:22 pm ET | Updated Nov 15, 2017 11:50 pm ET

PLAINFIELD, IL — From all outward appearances, Michele Clarke, 39, looks young and healthy. But 16 years ago, the Plainfield mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Since then she has had to battle back from flare-ups that have at times left her using a cane or a wheelchair, and even hospitalized for weeks at a time.

"Then there's times when I'm able to go to the gym and build up my strength," she told Patch.

Like many who suffer from "invisible diseases," Clarke said that for many years she was hesitant about using the handicapped placard for fear of being judged.

"It almost gets to the point where I'm afraid to use it," she said, "just because I'm not in a walker or I'm not using a cane ... I may look good on the outside, but on the inside I'm struggling."

Her fears came true on Monday, Clarke said, when she took her 12-year-old daughter to a doctor's office on 127th Street in Plainfield. As she was getting into the car, her daughter handed her a note that had been left on the passenger side windshield.

[faucetman]

“”It almost gets to the point where I’m afraid to use it,” she said, “just because I’m not in a walker or I’m not using a cane ..”

Your conscience is speaking truth to you. On days that you don’t need a wheelchair or cane, park in a regular spot, just like the rest of us athletes. /s On the days that you do, feel free to use the H/C spot.

BTW, on days you need a wheelchair or cane, are you fully capable of safely operating a motor vehicle?

[KeyLargo]

"Well, there is-and should be- anger at people using handicapped spots when they’re not entitled. Happens a lot. What concerns me most is the fact that the daughter was conceived AFTER the woman was diagnosed with MS. I’m sorry, that’s not only selfish- it’s insane. Not only will your child have a handicapped mother, she will have to worry that she inherited the disease. I just don’t understand people who choose to do this to their children. Before a diagnosis is one thing-intentional reproduction afterward is- IMO-the height of arrogant selfishness."

You are really sick.

[ronniesgal]

our gym has 15 handicapped spots! never all there at the same time.

[Beagle8U]

The permanent placards never expire, you only have to replace them if they get wore out or damaged.

[faucetman]

Drop him off at the door. Maybe he is not well enough to be going to the store. Just saying.

What does he do when he gets into the store?

I’m not being mean, I’m being REAL.

[bjc]

In answer to your rude question, I assumed that role myself and I plan on continuing to do so when the situation warrants it. It is a simple extension of “see something, say something”. If somebody throws trash on the sidewalk, I say something. I open doors for folks to. And no, I do not stand around monitoring handicap spaces. Do you think that everybody who parks in a handicap space is legitimate? That is certainly not my experience in Massachusetts. Hopefully, my polite interventions have meant that folks like your husband have a greater chance of getting the space that they need. Snowflakes come from all ends of the political spectrum.

[chesley]

I think liberals tend to be “letter of the law” types, and conservatives tend to be “spirit of the law” types.

I think liberals are "the laws are for lesser people" types

[Mr.Unique]

I guess some Freepers think she shouldn’t qualify for a handicapped placard.

With all due respect and curiosity, I'm not sure she should have a drivers license.

How does she manage to drive on one eye and no hearing...in the dark?

[Flaming Conservative]

He uses the store’s motorized carts, if they have any. If it’s a small store, he can walk around for a little while, but if he had to walk in from a distant parking space, he’d be in trouble. So you think he should be housebound? Yeah, right. That’s humane. Let’s just make handicapped people be shut-ins. What right do they have to try to have a life? Are you in favor of death panels and offering old sick people, too?

[faucetman]

““I’m not parked. I’m stopped. “

I believe the term is “standing”. At least in NY it is.

You are not parked if a legal driver, can immediately move the vehicle if required to do so or as directed to by a police officer or other official. “standing”. It is okay to “stand” in a no “parking” zone, because you are not “parking”.

[Flaming Conservative]

The cards vary from state to state. In our state, they’re good for a few years, then have to be reapplied for, which is good, so people who are only temporarily disabled don’t just keep using one forever.

[ladyjane]

I’ve never seen so many posts by busybodies on one thread. Is it anger? Is it envy? or maybe some people never got to be a hall monitor in elementary school. Imagine being upset that a disabled person had a baby !

[Flaming Conservative]

Maybe if you ever get to Heaven, you can help God judge people. What a busybody! And I’m no snowflake. If you were stopping real crimes, that’s one thing, but handicap tags aren’t given out unless they’re needed.

[COBOL2Java]

How does she manage to drive on one eye and no hearing...in the dark?

Quite well, thank you. Perhaps you drive a 60's automobile with only one exterior mirror?

Would you disqualify a Veteran with similar disabilities, I assume?

Of course you would!

God, these unthinking people...

[Kozy]

I have spinal stenosis. I can walk however the pain at times is unbearable. My legs go numb and I fall over. When I get out of my car, I look good. After a half trip through the grocery store, I have to pause and sit down. I would give up my placard in a minute to walk normal again.

[Alas Babylon!]

They’ll only respond back if you tell them the driver’s car had a Trump sticker on it....

And he was Russian.

[faucetman]

“Some people are jut anal about handicap spots.”

It may not be as you think it is. Maybe this person was agitated not because YOU were using a H/C spot but because if HE can’t use it, then no other unauthorized person can!

Again dividing society into haves and have-nots. Those that have H/C permits and those that don’t.

ESPECIALLY those that “appear” to not deserve them.

I would agree that most people that “appear” to not need them, actually don’t NEED them.

Are such people (placard people with no visible signs of disability) parking at the liquor store to get some wine to go with their cheese or are they parked at the grocery store to get some cheese to go with their whine?

[sheana]

I get it. That sounds just like me. Going in I look good but coming out I can barely walk.

[ClearBlueSky]

Interesting. You equate the idea of people who have been diagnosed with a debilitating and inherited disease NOT choosing to create children who will suffer along with them(and suffer the mental worry of inheriting said disease) with DEATH PANELS?? If anyone is choosing to punish said children it is the parents who care more about wanting children-despite real limitations-than what their situation will mean to those children and their future. NOT MAKING a child is not the same as killing it once it's made. The first is sacrifice- the latter murder.

I would not want to make a child who will suffer along with me-or inherit the same disease. I do not understand those who choose to do that. That is my opinion.You don't have to agree with it, but equating choosing NOT to create life to exterminating it is ludicrous. No babies by choice is not the same as murdering them in gas chambers.