I was just getting ready to post how helpful my placard has been to me and then I read your post. I hope this won't ever happen to any of us.

I had always been very proud of my independence. I used to be proud of my 20/20 vision and then I turned 42. My vision went and I had to swallow my pride & get glasses.

As I aged, people would ask if I needed help carrying heavy bags of pet food to my car. I'd always said "Not until I really need it".

Then I came down with crps. I had to swallow my pride once again. Simple glasses wouldn't rectify my handicap. I resisted the placard but found I needed it. Living in WI., the cold weather played havoc on my disease. Being out in the elements caused my entire leg to go numb and stay that way for days on end. I really need to get out of the weather asap.

My first PM only gave out temporary placards to anyone, no matter what their condition. I spent needless $'s to keep renewing my placard. (Perhaps my first PM wanted to diminish our state deficit.) My second PM didn't hesitate to sign for my permanent placard.

I really didn't want to admit to myself that I needed one but once I had one, I was very thankful. Being able to park closer to where I was headed has been a life saver. With that said, I'm going to have to re-evaluate how I display mine. I usually post mine on my rear view mirror because I have a tendency to park in "handicap" and forget to display my placard.