If you saw me, you would never know that I had a disabilty until, I started sweating uncontrollably, losing focus and fainting. It has been 15 years of dealing with a condition that only flares up on occassion but when it does it leaves me realing for days. Because of this, I must avoid long periods of standing and walking and therefore have received a placard for handicap parking.

DD, DH and I went grocery shopping today and as usual, parked in a handicap parking spot. As we were approaching the store entrance an older gentleman approach us and started yelling at DH that we had parked in a handicap spot. Calmly, DH explained that we have permission to park there and have an appropriately placed placard. This is not the first time that we have had to deal with this and usually that will satisfy most people and they will then go about their way. But not this guy! He wanted to know what was wrong with me, I looked perfectly fine and therefore I must be one of those people that fake it in order to get special parking. We ignored him and went into the store and didn't see him again until we left. Luckily, he didn't say anything else. I was so afraid that DH was going to get into it with him.

Now I know that he believed that he was doing the right thing, and a part of me feels good knowing that there are people out there that are trying to protect my right to have special parking. But on the other hand, I am so tired of having to feel like I need to justify my parking priviledge just because my handicap isn't so blatant like someone in a wheel chair or other types of visible handicaps. One of my friends actually suggested that I start limping when I get out of the car so that people would assume that is why I am parking there. I shouldn't have to "fake" a handicap just so to make some people feel better - a visible handicap to go along with the parking priviledge. KWIM?

Some handicaps are not easily seen and I just wish people would realize that.

Anyway....

thanks for listening :-)

SAHM to Madeline Penelope Jan. 9 2004