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.
I am walking in your shoes. And I have the same strategy - if there’s a space, leave the HC’s alone, if not, then it’s OK.
My main issue today is Stenosis where the holes in the backbone for the nerves are too small, causing the nerve to grate on the bone. not comfortable. I also have a bad ankle from a MC accident awhile back, but the stenosis thing is major at this time.
It always hurts, but some days are worse than others. sometimes I walk like a ‘normal’ person, but it still hurts with each step.
I’ve had flareups commence in mid stride, and no warning until I’m writhing on the floor in agony. Takes a week or so to be able to stand again, and it never gets completely better...
That reminds me: “handicapped” ramps at intersections cost roughtly $12,000-$15,000 each.
__________________
What, you mean those curb cuts, or something fancier? Because there’s no way a twenty sq. ft. slab of concrete with a little ramp cut out of it costs 12K. Even with the government. If it does people ought to be jailed.
I’ve never seen a wheelchair use them in the suburbs, but I have in the city. And they are handy for people with shopping carts and baby strollers.
Mrs VS
I just realized something. According to the ADA act a person who has been convicted of a felony is considered handicalled because his Felony conviction hinders his employment opportunities.
Does that mean we give all ex convicts a handicapped tag.
“Of which the automobile has become a major contributor. How very perceptive. Thanks for pointing out that irony.”
Ah, another FR “doctor.” Do you hang you shingle outside the front door?
Not for motorcycles-riding primadonnas.
The opportunists, as always, rushed in to fill the void.
Just saying.
I don't like idiots who bang their doors on my 350Z.
Two comments.
I have a friend who uses a fake leg. He has a permit but rarely uses it. This guy doesn’t let teh handicap slow him at all. I’ve snow skied, water skied and ridden bikes with him. He drove a five speed for many years.
The last illicit handicap parking malefactor I saw had no permit but about 10 wildly offensive liberal and democrat party bumper stickers on the car. It was so tempting to soap his windows while he was in the store.
“Me, my sister, my uncle and my aunt all take my Mom who has MS out shopping, Does she need 4 cards? How about if she goes out on vacation?”
One card per person and most states have a reciprocal agreement with handicap stickers.
It isn't only for wheelchairs... When I am stove up I need those ramps too.
In most cases, I don't agree with tearing up sidewalk just to install handicap access ramps, but I do believe the allowance should be made during replacement and new construction. It costs nothing to do so in these cases.
And frankly, EVERYONE QUIT WHINING. Who cares who parks closest to the front door of Wal-Mart. Geez people, get off your fat **** and walk a little.
“Only people on crutches should be able to park in handicapped spots.”
Another FR “doctor.”
Exactly.....
your ignorance is showing. I was on a PGR run abotu two months ago when I noticed a guy walking with crutches. then I noticed that he had only one leg. THEN I saw him swing his stump astride the saddle, mount up, and pull away on his harley. was HE a primadonna? He is a mamber of the Disabled Riders of America, BTW. There are more of us than you might think. of course if you did think, you wouldn't be calling people you don't know names that belie your ignorance.
I walk with a cane and use a disabled placard. Sometimes I wonder about people who don’t have any visible problems then I think about things such as heart disease and don’t get bothered.
It does crack me up to see people sizing me up when I get out of my car to ensure I’m worthy, they need a beating from my cane these young whipper snappers!
those “favor” signatures are a real problem. Even Doctors who sign a permanent form rather than a six month form for people with things like broken legs or a healing injury.
As long as someone is displaying their tag or plate, I don’t give them grief. Anyone with minimal intelligence should know that not all disabilities can be detected with a single look.
I drive a Mercedes and get the same looks and my car is 10 years old.
I think you are onto something. When I see the entire front of the post office in empty blue parking spots, I park in one for the 20 second run in, and frankly I’d have to be on my last legs to even want a sticker. Half of being handicapped is your attitude, and with that sticker in the window you can put a fork in it. You are done.
She quoted this as though she heard someone actually say it. If that's the case, then she is hardly paranoid.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.