Handicapped plaque

[Worth1]

I have my own personal parking spot at the store it is almost never taken.
It is next to a tree way out away from the store.
I simply cannot understand why perfectly healthy people such as myself dont want to walk a wee bit.
When they get my age they wont be able to walk because they didn't walk when they were young.


Worth

[Rockporter]

Originally Posted by KarenO

Perhaps my Canadian point of view is unwelcome but I would disagree that people are disabled "sometimes" or when they don't feel good and not at other times.I think it's more important to investigate why you are short of breath increasingly and hopefully your symptoms can be managed.
I think the few labelled disabled spaces available are really meant for folks who require mobility aids such as wheelchairs or are on oxygen etc.
Caution as well regarding officially labelling yourself as handicapped from an insurance point of view as well as a drivers licence point of view.
I hope you feel better!
KarenO

Well, you would be one of those persons who give the looks and the comments (maybe under your breath or maybe by speaking loud enough for others to hear you). Or perhaps you are someone who just doesn't really understand people are handicapped without a wheelchair, or oxygen hanging about their noses.

For me, I will explain to help you understand things a little better since it is apparent you haven't read any of my other threads talking about my condition. So let me educate you.

I have been through numerous tests to be diagnosed with my heart operating at only 39%, it is Diminished Heart Refraction caused by Cardiomyopathy, which doc thinks was caused by a viral infection sometime back.

My lungs are staying open (inflated) instead of expelling all of the air when I breath out, which has been diagnosed as Pulmonary Hypertension. This makes getting enough oxygen in my blood a far cry from normal. Both diagnoses cannot be fixed. There will be no getting better or feeling better for that matter.

So, in this case there is no getting better and there is nothing the doctor can do. My heart might repair itself but not to 100% or even 80% and there are no guarantees it will get better. My lungs will never return to normal. So because I have chronically inflated lungs, my weakened heart has to work really hard to pump the blood through the lungs. He explained things this way to me.

If he and I were to race down the hallway in a fast sprint the heart begins pumping and all the arteries and vessels open up to provide oxygen throughout the body. Only my heart and lungs are doing the opposite. Mine begin closing instead of opening to allow the heavy blood flow through, which is depleting my oxygen, and making my heart work even harder to pump the bood through. There was once a new medication being studied for Pulmonary Hypertension but it failed miserably at it's job. Instead, the men were coming into the office with huge smiles on their faces because of the side effect they were having from the medication. It was called Cialis, aka Viagra. There is no other treatment available as of now. Looks like Mayo clinic is working on something but my insurance won't cover it and I don't live anywhere near one of their clinics anyway.

Now let's add in the three forms of arthritis I have which are Lupus SLE, Rheumatoid, and Fibromyalgia. The first two forms of arthritis attack your body by causing major inflammation throughout. This in turn causes damage to your joints, which leads to swelling, stiffness, and sometimes immense pain, but there is always pain. The Lupus SLE attacks your internal organs which would of course include the heart and lungs.

So, the next time you see someone parking in the handicapped zone and look healthy to you, try to remember they may not be as healthy as you think. Walking in one store is enough to make it so I cannot do much more the rest of the day, especially if I have been in the garden a few hours prior to this. I do the best I can with what I can, but if having a handicapped plaque and parking in said spaces makes life easier for me, then I think it is appropriate and I would have to take that position, then tell your canadian point of view where it can go. Nothing against canadians by the way. Just people who think they can diagnose others just by looking at them.

Have a great day KarenO, and remember that yes, one day you can feel okay, but the next is a whole other story. I hope to continue seeing you around here.

[Rockporter]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I have my own personal parking spot at the store it is almost never taken.
It is next to a tree way out away from the store.
I simply cannot understand why perfectly healthy people such as myself dont want to walk a wee bit.
When they get my age they wont be able to walk because they didn't walk when they were young.


Worth

That's where I used to park all the time. If I am feeling somewhat better for the day then I will park there.

[My Foot Smells]

Originally Posted by Rockporter

That's where I used to park all the time. If I am feeling somewhat better for the day then I will park there.

Key word, being under the tree in SoTex. Barometer of summertime hot is when the rear view mirror flops off the windshield and you can only grab ahold of the steering wheel with an oven mitt.

If it will be helpful, than why not - that is it's intent. My mom (80 y.o.) is pending her 3rd back surgery and refuses to use the HC plaque and is having a real hard time walking with a walker.

I don't know where the stigma derives, mainly found in white America minds. The local grocery has "online ordering" and you never have to leave your car to pick up. She is not sure of such a concept, and to be frank, I havent used the thing either; but it is growing like a weed round here.

[Rockporter]

Originally Posted by My Foot Smells

Key word, being under the tree in SoTex. Barometer of summertime hot is when the rear view mirror flops off the windshield and you can only grab ahold of the steering wheel with an oven mitt.

If it will be helpful, than why not - that is it's intent. My mom (80 y.o.) is pending her 3rd back surgery and refuses to use the HC plaque and is having a real hard time walking with a walker.

I don't know where the stigma derives, mainly found in white America minds. The local grocery has "online ordering" and you never have to leave your car to pick up. She is not sure of such a concept, and to be frank, I havent used the thing either; but it is growing like a weed round here.

LOL, that's why I park away from the sun too. It will be hard on the back of the truck cap while shading the interior cab. I wish I could get groceries that way here, but its not available except at Walmart. I don't buy groceries at walmart, except milk, eggs, cheese and bread. If I need to go to walmart for something else I'll pick those items up then. Otherwise I buy it all at HEB when I do my other shopping. It's the only other place to shop for food around here.

I hope your mom can come to the acceptance of the plaque. I have fought it for so long but know I really should be using one now.

[Jimbotomateo]

Originally Posted by Rockporter

LOL, that's why I park away from the sun too. It will be hard on the back of the truck cap while shading the interior cab. I wish I could get groceries that way here, but its not available except at Walmart. I don't buy groceries at walmart, except milk, eggs, cheese and bread. If I need to go to walmart for something else I'll pick those items up then. Otherwise I buy it all at HEB when I do my other shopping. It's the only other place to shop for food around here.

I hope your mom can come to the acceptance of the plaque. I have fought it for so long but know I really should be using one now.

Please get it ! . Don't know about your area but here there's lots of spaces that go unused at times. I park way out too. One for exercise and two I don't like to fight getting into car or all the traffic where the cars are all crowded up. I could get a placard but like you I'm going to put it off till absolutely necessary!. I can't figure out why people are concerned about where people park or what their handicap is. . Like my mom always said, everybody's gotta be somewhere.. Sometimes I drive my sisters car and park handicap for her. Jimbo

[brownrexx]

Yes, it requires a doctor's OK to get one of those parking placards so just enjoy your own good health and don't worry about if someone parking in a handicapped space looks healthy to you.

If the doctor thinks that the person has a legitimate need , then who are you to think differently.

[Worth1]

I wonder how the crow tasted?
Worth

[jtjmartin]

I had a hip replacement a couple years ago. I scheduled it over Christmas because those two weeks are pretty dead for my business. Of course I got a temporary handicap tag.

It saved me a couple of times when the parking lot looked icy.

Maybe the US is different, but I rarely see all the handicap spaces filled except for tourist attractions.

[Deborah]

I wonder why Walmart has only a few spaces yet Home Depot has several? I mean like ROWS. I have never, ever seen anyone use them. I've never seen customers in HD who looked ill, handicapped or even old. But lots of seniors save money by shopping at Walmart. Weird.

[Worth1]

Because Wallmart is cheap but they have tons of spots in my town.
There might be rules as to how many per occupancy of a given building.
I am almost certain there is.
If the owner wants to put in more that is their call.
HEB gave me permission to park my motorcycle in the striped spots next to the handicap spots.
I dont like parking it out in tbe regular areas because cars will swing in and knock them over.
Then drive off.

Worth

[MikeInCypress]

Every Walmart I have seen has bunches of Handicap Spaces. I think the ADA Reulations require a minimum of 5%.

MikeInCypress

[Spike2]

I am a bit late to this but I am going to add my thoughts on this. Gosh Golly just get the silly placard/tag/sticker whatever. Seriously don't be silly and just get it. If you don't need it, don't use it if you don't want but better to be safe and have it, than sorry you don't. PLUS if your condition worsens you will all ready have it.

[oakley]

Get it. That is what those spots are for and in NY every lot has plenty, rarely full. (a random jerk will use them with no tag)

On your good days with just one errand, go ahead and take another spot near the cart
corral like you have been doing. You deserve the option. Just too stressful to avoid
getting out and about worrying about it. Embrace the mobility you have but you do not
deserve to suffer any more than you do.

[Rockporter]

I'll definitely be getting one of the plaques since it will be much easier to go to big town when I need to and park closer to the stores. Generally when I go, it's to Sams Club, Petsmart, Sprouts Farmer's Market, and the doctors office. Going to the doctors office requires lots of uphill walking and stairs from the parking lot to get inside the building. Then walking all around the whole building to get to their actual office. So, if I make it through the doctors visit first, and can handle it, I try to go to Sams Club or Petsmart. Sometimes I just don't go anywhere except the doctors office. I will surely continue parking near the cart storage on better days.