Nobody likes being thought of as a liar and fake by others, but at least this woman and others are trying to keep those who should not from using handicapped parking out. My own non-MSer DH has become quite a champion of Handicapped parking rights and sometimes I must tell him he may not know all the facts about someone he is suspects is a fraud. I applaud the little old lady who stormed up to me when I walked and looked fine, telling me I couldn't park in Handicapped Parking, someone might need it. She's fighting the good fight.

Now that I'm in a wheelchair no one ever questions my right to use handicapped parking. Liked it better before I got so "lucky".

Some of us spent years trying to look normal so that we could work. In some cases that was because we didn't have a dx and were conforming to doctors' expectations that we were just mental cases, so we soldiered on in spite of having to sometimes hide neurological manifestations. The world is full of silly people, isn't it? I guess I'm glad I had an interesting job in spite of the difficulties of pretending to be fine when I wasn't. In those days, when I worked, before dx, I didn't have a handicapped pass. When I got one I felt like I'd earned it. We apologize perhaps too much for not conforming in every case. No more!

I find myself asking nicely to see permits, and suggesting that they make sure to hang or display them every time they use a space, so people won't question them. If they say they don't have one, I ask if they have a disability, then explain how to get one. If they are not disabled and get nasty, I try to whip out my cell phone and get a shot of their license plate as I explain that they are violating a law that could cost them $250!

Just two days ago both spaces at the ATM at our bank were occupied by cars with no tags or placards. The one women I approached got huffy in a hurry, and I did not even have time to flip my phone. Uh, sorry, it may not be nice . . . but I flipped her something else as she cussed and drove away.

Left-Handed,
You go girl!!!! You are fighting the good fight.