"I can't sleep a wink, she's got Jimmy legs!
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.
Is that true? This year they renewed it automatically and all I got was the blue placard in an envelope. Now I’m going to have to check.
“Of course not. You’d have the wife drop you off at the door. ;)”
Actually I would just have her go to the store while I stayed home watching TV on the couch. :-)
actually HC parking was aaround long before the ADA, which was proposed by Reagan and signed by GHWB.
Possible, I must admit; every other year maybe?
Yeah, and back in the day I said much the same thing. I went from perfectly fit to a POS in 3 months. Believe me brother, you need to buy a clue.
Yes, I have the V12 too and that seems to get people’s attention. At least it keeps off of any more motorcycles!
I said we either need to make have the parking lot handicap accessible or put the handicap spots at the outer edges for those who don’t have a cane or chair need.
And by the way, my grandmother at 92 and with hip surgery drove her own car around and never wanted a handicap sticker or card.
Nice to see you sucking it up for the 50-something men.
Don't know about the poster, but I have stated the same thing, based on several reasons.
Having personally lived through the process of creating the damned things and the debate that surrounded the ADA, and the subsequent piling on of every conceivable "i;;ness", including, presumable alcoholism, and...
Over 40 years of designing, processing and supervising the construction of thousands of them and...
Having seen the legal abuse and scamming of the system by others.
Most of the users of handicapped spaces aren't.
I’m handicapped. I’m psychotic. Now where’s my disability check and parking permit?
My wife and I had one because of the medical condition of our daughter. We were both completely capable of running into a store. In our case, on those occasions when we did need it, it was a Godsend. We didn't use it unless there were still a couple of open spaces still available. We used it perhaps 30 times or so and I never experienced any comments - not once. I will say I have delivered some, but not before looking to see if the car has credentials. Beyond that it's not my call and it is not yours either. You are welcome to fume away in ignorance.
Even toting a cane, I get some sour faces looking at me.
and your proof for this rediculous statement is?
see post 158
I caught a disabled person parking in one of the regular spots so I beat him up.........
Is she suggesting that they all should get a handicapped hang tag? Kinda defeats the purpose.
Count the number at Wal Mart or Best Buy the next time you're there. If all spots were filled you probably couldn't walk through the store without bumping into a scooter or wheelchair.
Before I'm flamed I'd like to point out I had to use a wheelchair/walker for almost a year.
As the father of a child with Spina Bifida I am keenly aware of the abuses. When the state hands out placards to thse who are fat (excuse me, have medical conditions arising from being overweight) I see red. Maybe, just maybe, walking a few extra yards will actually help some drop a few pounds.
"I can't sleep a wink, she's got Jimmy legs!
Those who would abuse handicapped parking are low and scummy.
I would never do such a thing.
Now, the Stork Club parking spaces are another matter . . .
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