Handicapped Parking

[geebee]

I had a couple of people over the years (and in fact just recently) ask me why, since I have had 3 OHS, I don't have handicapped plates. So, I am now curious as to how many of us have handicapped permits, how many don't but feel they should, etc.
This is a private poll so you can be honest and no one will know who you are. You can also vote for more than one option.

 

[Ross]

I have and am certified disabled for life/handicapped with O2 for walking, so I'm legal. It's not for my heart though, it's for my lung problems and artificle hip. I can't get more then 30 or 40 ft before stopping to catch my breath. It sucks.

 

[Harrybaby666]

I have a handicapped placquard that I hang on my rearview mirror..

I have a handicapped placquard that I hang on my rearview mirror..

I have mine because I have such bad arthritis, and spinal stenosis, and I cannot walk accross a parking lot without getting worn out, and in total pain....I also have it because of my heart and lung issues, but mainly for the walking difficulties....sometimes I have to stop walking and sit down because I hurt too much and/or get short of breath, and I am now burning up the roads of walmart and target with their battery powered shopping carts (when they work) because my walking stamina is getting worse by the minute.

I was told by a close family friend who had developed a very bad heart after suffering a series of heart attacks (she has since now passed away), that she couldn't get one because the State of NH didn't feel as though a heart condition was serious enough to warrant a handicapped plate....CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE THAT???!!!!!???? I MEAN REALLY!!! She did end up getting one, but only after having the Dr. really fight for it....

 

[Glenda]

I have had one for about four years, ever since I was diagnosed with severe arthritis in feet, ankles, knees and spine. Also the leukemina cause terrible joint pain at all times. Sometimes I can hardly walk. I also was just recently diagnosed with neuropathy, so I'm a mess. I'm thankful for it.

 

[Cris N]

Right after my surgery I tried to get my surgeon to sign the application for a short term one. He refused, since I had no other conditions to warrant it. He wanted me to walk.

 

[Dennis S]

Sticker

Sticker

I needed one more before my surgery than since. I guess I am one of the lucky ones.

 

[Nancy]

Joe got one this year, and it has helped him tremendously.

 

[Ross]

I'm sure each state is different as to what is determined to be a disability. Just for ref., here is Ohio's list of impairments:

An individual qualifies for a ?Removable Placard for Persons with Disabilities? if that disability limits or impairs the ability to walk as determined by a physician or chiropractor (O.R.C. 4503.44). Attach the physician or chiropractor?s letter or prescription stating the physical disability. The disability must meet at least one of the following criteria:
SECTION A:
Indicate in the box(es) provided to the left of each of the 7 qualifications which one(s) of the qualifications you meet with an X.
1. Cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest;
2. Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device,
wheelchair, or other assistive device;
3. Is restricted by a lung disease to such an extent that the person?s forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one
second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty
millimeters of mercury on room air at rest;
4. Uses portable oxygen;
5. Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person?s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III
or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association;
6. Is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition;
7. Is blind.
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC DISABLING CONDITION?

 

[Wise]

I'm sure each state is different as to what is determined to be a disability. Just for ref., here is Ohio's list of impairments:

An individual qualifies for a ?Removable Placard for Persons with Disabilities? if that disability limits or impairs the ability to walk as determined by a physician or chiropractor (O.R.C. 4503.44). Attach the physician or chiropractor?s letter or prescription stating the physical disability. The disability must meet at least one of the following criteria:
SECTION A:
Indicate in the box(es) provided to the left of each of the 7 qualifications which one(s) of the qualifications you meet with an X.
1. Cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest;
2. Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device,
wheelchair, or other assistive device;
3. Is restricted by a lung disease to such an extent that the person?s forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one
second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty
millimeters of mercury on room air at rest;
4. Uses portable oxygen;
5. Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person?s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III
or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association;
6. Is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition;
7. Is blind.
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC DISABLING CONDITION?

We have one for my wife, a #7. I didn't see one for mental problems, so I'm not on the list.

 

[Kathleen]

I don't look like I need one but....

I don't look like I need one but....

I have had one for about 10 years now. I did not even ask for one after the first OHS or the second one but after having a pericadectomy for constrictive pericarditis which resulted in severing of my phrenic nerve which resulted in left hemi diphragm paralysis I got one. The lung was later surgically inflated but of course the paralysis is the same. Few years later needing a pacemaker and acquiring a half dozen stents and now a pacer defibrillator and another OHS to do one of five ablations I think I deserve one. I look as normal as any other person going into a store and have had people stop me and say did you know you are parked in a handicapped spot..
I do get quite annoyed at times when I see people stopping for just a second or two in handicapped spots that do not have the plates or the sticker. I do consider it a perk for a lifetime of surgeries.
Kathy

 

[Superbob]

Interesting survey, Gina. My wife and I are a one-car family. We got a handicapped sticker for her in 1996 after she had a stroke and could no longer drive. There have been times when I've dropped her off and come back to pick her up when I wondered if I would get a citation for parking in a handicapped space if a cop challenged me since I didn't have that status for myself. So recently my doctor signed for a permit for me too. She did so not for the heart surgery but mainly on the basis of my spinal stenosis, though with physical therapy I have moderated the effects of that.

Anyway, wasn't quite sure how to answer your survey, but put down "have one but probably could do without it" -- even though my wife needs it.

 

[sue943]

I have one, they are difficult to get locally but I was permitted to have one when I had two knackered valves and was pre-surgery. They last for three years here then you need to have another assessment. Since my surgery I don't use it most days, only if I my legs are really painful - I doubt if I have used it more than five times since my surgery.

When I got the permit I did need it, now I wouldn't be given one and unless my health deteriorates I won't apply for a renewal when it expires. In the meantime I will just keep it for emergencies.

 

[hensylee]

I got one for mother, then one for brother, now one for me. My dr just filled out a paper, I took it uptown to the courthouse and they gave me one for $5 for 5 yrs and renewed it last yr for 5 yrs w/o cost.

 

[gadgetman]

I do not need one now, thanks to my OHS. However, I did use my Mother's removable handicap placard for several months prior to my surgery. By December 2004, I could not walk more than 5 or 6 steps without having to stop to get my breath (Ross, I feel for you man). Without it, I would have been stuck at home until surgery. I even had to use it when making my doctor and hospital visits prior to and just after surgery.

It is by the good Lord's grace that I do not need the use of one now. I hope that last for many, many years to come.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[George]

I've had my permanent plate for about 10 years. I sure wish I didn't qualify for it Good fixed heart, but weak legs & back...sigh

 

[tobagotwo]

I had a temporary one presurgery, when my symptoms got bad. It ran out about three months after the surgery.

I only used it at work, where there are always handicapped spots left over. Felt too guilty that someone who needed it more then me wouldn't get a spot, if I used it somewhere else. Couldn't have used it at Walmart anyway, as those spots are always full.

Works the same as the permission to get the flu shot the year there weren't enough to go around. I was supposed to get one because of the valve surgery, was urged to get one, was signed up to get one, but just couldn't stand in line in front of someone in a wheelchair trailing an oxygen line. What if they ran out? There's need, and then there's need.

Best wishes,

 

[geebee]

This has turned out to be an interesting poll. It seems that those members who do have permits have them for reasons other than heart issues. I know with me, my cardio has always wanted me to walk. However, there are times when having one would be very helpful, mainly when it is very hot or very cold because I have trouble breathing in that type of weather. It is even worse when I am trying to walk and carry packages or pushing a shopping cart in extreme temps.
I have to say there is a part of me that agrees with Kathleen, I think I deserve one as a perk for all my surgeries just so I can have it available for those extreme times. Most of the time, I like walking.
Thanks for participating and thank you to anyone else still to come.

 

[Ross]

What aggravates me to no end is the people that do have them and do not need them. I'm taking about Mr. 2006 Cadilliac that just hops out of his car and practically runs to the carts and continues to mow people over in the store. I watch this stuff everywhere I go and I have to say that from my observations, only about 15%-20% of those issued are legitimate.

 

[Superbob]

I'd just add that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Probably on some occasions when I use a handicapped space when driving solo, some people wonder why a healthy-looking guy needs one. I know that when my spinal stenosis was at its worst, I could walk a block or two comfortably, but then my legs and back hurt so much, I felt like lying down in the road crying. The pain of spinal stenosis is relieved only by sitting or lying down. So in a large public facility where you might have to park several blocks away, there is a legitimate reason for someone with spinal stenosis or a similar condition to use this privilege.

 

[Ross]

I'd just add that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Probably on some occasions when I use a handicapped space when driving solo, some people wonder why a healthy-looking guy needs one. I know that when my spinal stenosis was at its worst, I could walk a block or two comfortably, but then my legs and back hurt so much, I felt like lying down in the road crying. The pain of spinal stenosis is relieved only by sitting or lying down. So in a large public facility where you might have to park several blocks away, there is a legitimate reason for someone with spinal stenosis or a similar condition to use this privilege.

Oh I'm sure Rob, but I'm also sure you've seen what I'm talking about too. I see very few legitimately handicapped people with them, but alot of others that want only convenience of parking in the first front spots of a store.