Posted on 08/20/2007 7:41:24 AM PDT by Between the Lines
OPINION, August 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Do you know the fine for using someone else's handicapped parking permit is $300?" "That parking spot is saved for the disabled! You should be ashamed of yourself!" Nearly everyone with an invisible illness has been told, "You don't look disabled to me!" One of my friends replied, "Well, you don't look stupid to me." I just bite my lip to try to prevent the tears from forming, broken-hearted that I appear to be deceptive, when I would do anything to give back this parking perk that I use on a rare occasion.
As I circle the parking lot a fourth time on this day I hope for a spot to open up within two-hundred yards of the store, but there is nothing remotely close at this bustling superstore where I need to buy my prescriptions and milk for my toddler. My rheumatoid arthritis is flaring badly, causing extra fluid in my knees to dislocate pieces of loose bones. Every step is painful and unpredictable.
Finally I sigh in resignation and pull into the farthest "blue parking spot." I reach for the placard--the one that has a bold white symbol of a wheelchair--and no, I don't have a wheelchair--yet. So after fifteen years of having this "privilege" at my disposal I still warily scan the area before reluctantly dangling the placard from the rear view mirror. Is there anyone watching, wondering, or waiting, ready to confront me?
I've had scathing notes left on my windshield and many people, empowered by television exposés, have approached me with their opinions. Judgmental expressions and whispers sting just as much. My husband and I adopted a baby and when I would get my child of the car I would avoid eye contact with onlookers because I could hear their whispers of, "She's not disabled! Or--if she is--she has no right to have a child!"
Nearly 1 in 2 Americans (133 million) live with a chronic illness. It could be diabetes, cancer, cystic fibrosis, fibromyalgia or even chronic back pain. Many illnesses make walking long distances impossible because of limited lung capacity, physical pain, or unpredictable numbness in the legs. According to statistics provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, about 96% of these illnesses are invisible. There is no sign of the illness existing, nor the use of an assistive device like a cane or a wheelchair.
I began National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in 2002, which is held this year Sept 10-16, 2007, after witnessing thousands of people who had frustrations, fears, loneliness, and bitterness, about feeling invalidated. One's illness, age, diagnosis, or level of disease degeneration, doesn't change the emotional pain.
Strangers and loved ones alike doubt the severity of our illness or even the diagnosis. We've heard, "You look so good! You must be feeling better." But we don't feel better. We just bought some fake tan in a bottle and pasted on a smile.
National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is a time to acknowledge that invisible illness is more prevalent than we'd imagine and everyone--both those who are healthy and ill--can make a difference by encouraging someone with an invisible illness, rather than tearing someone down.
Are those parking spots painted blue because they give so many people the blues? That small area of square footage is a breeding ground for many frustrations as we are forced to defend our illness and character to total strangers. I'd gladly trade in my placard indefinitely for just a week of having my old body back when I could run, sit on the floor, or even hold a fork without tendons popping out of place.
I anticipate the day when a nationally designated system is formed. Texas law states that blue placards are for those who use assistive devices; red permits are for people with a "condition that impairs mobility." In other states, red symbolizes six months of disability and blue is permanent. It's confusing! And for one with invisible illness, the wheelchair symbol discredits both our physical pain and--in the eyes of others--our reputation. Until then, we rely on Invisible Illness Week bumper stickers.
The next time you see a healthy looking man loading groceries into his car--parked in the "blue spot"--don't glare. Stop and offer to help him, or just smile nicely, giving him the benefit of the doubt. Seventy percent of suicides have uncontrollable physical pain as a factor. Your smile may save his life. At the least, it will astonish him, perhaps providing him with genuine encouragement he hasn't felt for months.
Carry a cane and use it every time.
Yeah, well I got kicked out of a Thailand NAACP dinner. I was casual and it was a black Thai affair.
Grocery stores and Walmarts HAVE motorized carts for shoppers.
HIPPA does not allow that.
Keep in mind you don’t have to be driving. I know people with a disable or mobility difficult family member and they use the tag when transporthing that person.
I think most of these are busy bodies.
How crippled does a person have to be to pass the holier than thou police?
I found it ironic recently that a doctors complex I visited had many empty handicapped spaces but at a golf course I visited the same week they were all filled. No accusations, just an observation.
Oh. For shame!!
having been a diabetic for almost 40 years, I do not tell them how to deal with their issue. And they usually hcarry one because that’s what it usually takes.
good point tho...
and just how do you know they were football players? sarcasm aside, don't football players get injured?
inre #70.
good job! thanx! we need more like you.
Quit whining and park where you want. This whole thing is just so stupid. If you need help, I have a long list of two-word responses you can use when needed.
When somebody questions your use of a handicap spot, thank them for caring. There are way too many people abusing those spaces.
That reminds me: "handicapped" ramps at intersections cost roughtly $12,000-$15,000 each. California has been busily ripping up perfectly good sidewalk for 30+ years at the cost of $billions. I can honestly say I do not recall ever seeing a single instance of a wheelchair using such ramps.
On the other hand, I have seen 49,672 skateboarders terrorizing pedestrian and traffic while using them.
Just saying.
very well put. thanx!
“I’m sorry, but the majority of these problems ironically come from the lack of exercise and poor eating habits.”
Are you a doctor, or just play one on FR? I have osteoarthritis and two hip replacements, I’m 6’2” and weight 220. To see me is to think everything’s fine under the hood.
In actuality, I have two 12” scars, one on each upper thigh for my two hip replacements. I was bone-on-bone before I had the surgeries, one at age 50, the other three years later...and then someone like you comes along with your “medical” opinion.
You must have been fit to be Thai'ed!
Me? I would have said Phuket.
The worse thing is the mandating. Say you have a parking lot that has X number of spaces. The local Stalinists decree that Y number must be “blue”. Your company goes through some hard times (a LSM company, perhaps?), and half the employees are gone. The lot doesn’t shrink. Nor does the number of set aside spaces. The majority of the “survivors” still have to hoof it through both sunny and inclement weather.
Ok.
“I don’t give a crap who parks in the blue spots, I don’t care if they “deserve” to or not.
Why are there so many busy bodies in our country?”
Amen. Looks like a good load of these “busy bodies” are on this thread with their expert “medical” opinions.
You’re right.
You may not know it but they do make off road wheel chairs capable of handling a pretty rugged trail. The only reason I can see for handicapped parking at trail heads is to provide a wide enough parking space to get the person and chair out of the vehicle. Off road wheel chairs are usually much larger than what you would normally see being used for everyday purposes.
“Is 20 pound for the weight like 30 pounds if a guy lifts?”
Soon to be an “FR Classic.”
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