Handicapped Parking Permit

[vhmnoles]

I asked my Dr. for one. I only use it if I can't find a close spot anyway, or find a cart or something to hold onto. At first it was used only occasionally, but now more often as things have progressed.

[dyin_myelin]

My doctor filled out the form for me the day I was diagnosed. I thought he was crazy, since my mobility was fine.

For hopefully very future reference, I noticed that PA is one the states where you have to be unable to walk a certain amount of feet in order to quality for a placard. Also, did your neuro disclose your dx to the DMV? Were there any issues with keeping your licence or being further evaluated intrusively? Thanks.

[Tide]

I asked for mine and used to feel guilty about it but like a poster said, you get tired just getting to the front door and walking after that around a store is extremely hard.
One person even pointed me out and said 'I don't need it' and walked on.
Today, I am in a wheel chair but when I first got it, I was able to make that front door.
My issue today is it seems 2/3ds of the population has one and there are never and spots found when you need them.
I find there are more spots these days in regular parking spaces that are almost as close.

I also use those motorized carts some stores provide but people that don't need them grab them up. Leaving me holding on to a shelf waiting for someone who is done with shopping to give theirs up.
Had this one guy see me who had a cart and so he wouldn't feel guilty using one abandon it in an isle and walked off just fine with two other ladies.
I'd like to see something in place where you had to have the equivalent of a place card sticker or card to even use one to free them up for those that really need it.

[book lover]

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who has responded. Please forgive me for taking so long to respond and for not responding to each one individually. I really do appreciate your advice.

I went to my dr and asked if she thought I should get a handicapped parking permit. Her immediate response was that it was not only a reasonable request but one she thinks is also necessary; each time I said that I didn’t think I needed it all of the time and would only use it when necessary, she said I should use it any time there is no other very close parking. Like you and some of your drs said, she told me to save my energy for where I am going not for getting there.

I am usually the person who tells everyone that especially with drs they need to advocate for themselves and yet I was so apologetic asking and almost uncomfortable. However, thanks to all of your responses I knew it was something I had to do. Like some of you said or have experienced, I find that when I have to park far from where I am going, I am frequently so exhausted by the time I get there that I cannot accomplish what I need to do but must sit and rest for awhile.

Deer in Headlights – you are so right; it has been so hard for me to admit that I am disabled. I think I am waking up and realizing that I need to conserve my energy as much as possible and save it, as KateA2 said, for “more fun things”.

Onlyairfare - I too think I am just fine early in the day or when I start out only to find that later in the day I have trouble getting back to my car. I push myself and find myself falling.

Cleobear72 – I love your dr’s analogy re energy as money. How true.

Dwiktor – thanks for the info; I live in the NY metro area but our daughter lives in DC and we will be going there in early July so your info will be quite helpful.

Ikaika and everyone else: MY PLACARD ARRIVED 2 DAYS AGO so thanks. You have all helped me a great deal – I know I am not alone in not wanting to admit that I am handicapped. I have not used it yet – my husband has been in the car with me and has dropped me off and then parked in a non-handicapped spot.

However, I do some consulting and I will be working a couple of days in the next few weeks; I know that parking will be a distance from where I have to be and since I am concerned that at the end of the day I will be exhausted, I am going to use the placard assuming there are handicapped spots available. I have a feeling that it will then become my BFF .

Thank you for also letting me know that I am not the only one who thinks that I am still able-bodied even though I wear a brace and use a cane. It is difficult to not only accept being disabled but also to change the image of myself.

Once again, THANK YOU everyone!

[misslux]

Glad you got it!

[fishead]

Two words: Get one.

No one likes to be considered a PwD (person with a disability) but you are if you cannot walk more than a few blocks. Your safety is the most important thing ever, so please get an accessible parking permit and stay safe!

GOLDEN ADVICE, Mislux!!

I have one and I seldom use it, except for when it is hot. I just cannot function when I have to walk real far in the heat. I always worry about my legs giving out (which they did before I got mine. I sat on a box I was carrying and put my head in my hands and was breathing fast and felt loopy. GOD LOVE the old man that stopped and offered me his help. He took my hand and made sure that I got to my car. WOW, the world IS a beautiful place.

[Ikaika]

So happy your BFF arrived!

Congrats on taking the step to help you take more efficient steps!

When you visit your daughter in DC, be sure to bring your placard with you- the humidity here in the summer is NUTS. Walking even from the handicapped spot to the indoors, feels like the trip was triple as far.

My placard is like my walker, it's a loyal friend on standby for me- and just as happy as I am when I don't need them, and happy when I do- they are there. That's a BFF

Blessings to you and everyone on this forum! Keep calm and walk on...

PS I have an anonymous quote that says "you were given this life because you are strong enough to live it."
I think of that when I feel 'disabled' and remember what an incredible source of strength, humility, and faith this disease gives us.

Happy for you!

[4boysmom]

Not only do I use my placard if the spots are too far away, I also have resorted to using walking sticks for my mile walks two times a day. It is interesting how just a small help with balance can keep you from getting too fatigued. I can do the full mile with the sticks, but struggle to get 3/4 without.

[Rosieva]

It was a big help

I decided to ask after I realized i was exhausting myself walking across parking lots, when hc spots right at the door.
The day I picked up my first blue hc parking placard, I sat in the DMV parking lot looking at the wheelchair on card with my name on it, and I cried and cried. Never crossed my mind growing up, planning my future, that i would get a chronic, progressive debilitating disease like MS.

[Tomjadg]

I'm in Pennsylvania, and had no problem getting mine.
I'm not aware of a walking limit to get one, but maybe I wasn't questioned.

[Marie12]

Years ago, my neuro said, "You, do have a handicapped parking permit, don't you?"

Well my answer was, "No, because I don't have enough strength to go anywhere." Well, he gave me one, and I did use it if I needed to go somewhere.

Now, I have my electric wheelchair, and my daughters get mad at me, because I don't use the handicapped spot. I still go hardly anywhere, because of my strength, but I will not use a "handicapped" spot when I have my electric chair, and see a ninety year old lady with a walker, cannot find a "handicapped spot."

I will post this again, "If you are in any type of wheelchair, please be careful in the parking lot, because normal drivers cannot see you." I was actually behaving several years ago, in a handicapped spot, in my manual wheelchair, and a car backed out of her space very fast, and almost hit me.

Drivers are not looking for wheelchairs, they are looking for people over five feet tall.