I am going to see my neurologist tomorrow (back online just in time!) and have printed out the form from the DMV to get a placard to park in handicapped spaces. Any advice on how he should write things up or how specific he needs to be?

I look like nothing is wrong with me and I'm worried when I go to the DMV that they will either refuse me or take my license away! I have heard of people with MS having to petition the court to get their license given back after revealing the have MS to the DMV.

I have a weak leg and I plan to only use it only when I really need it. I was taking my daughter to swimming lessons and had to park about a half mile away and had to walk in 90 degree weather yesterday. I couldn't handle it at all. That's what made me want a placard.

Any advice or experiences would help.
Jean

It depends on what the form says. It will ask questions and your doctor will have to answer them. Forms may be different from one state to another. They may or may not require you to take a test or may just call you in to answer some questions. Or they may not do any of that and just issue you the permit. They do come in handy and it took me awhile to get up the courage to finally get one. I would be lost without it now. I was worried like you but everything turned out fine. I could have used one long before I finally got one. So it goes. Sometimes we worry for nothing.

Kitt

Jean,

Good for you!

I'm sure each state is different.....

I also don't look like anything is wrong with me - I have had a HC placard and license plate for 20 years.

I have never had to tell the DMV why and they have never asked nor do I care about any looks I get...I'm used to it

Your doctor filling out and signing the form should be good enough.

Thanks for the quick replies. Much appreciated.

On my form it asks disabled due to..... should I just put leg weakness? That is my part. The doctor part says A diagnosed disease which impairs mobility due to....

Maybe I should leave the MS info out completely. Arghh! I just don't want to mess it up! Maybe I am worried for nothing.
Jean

Hi Jean, nice to see you here. It's still 90 there?

I think just putting permanent leg weakness, should suffice, in lieu of the big MS. KWIM?

Good luck

Why not ask your doctor? I'm sure he/she has filled the form out many times and could give you some idea...after all you are paying him

Indiana has a very easy form. It does have a section the doctor has to fill out. It also has a section that the doc says yours is a permanent or temporary disability. Temporary would be broken foot in cast or something like that. Good luck. Indiana allows you to have two tags. So I got a license plate and a hanging placard. Oh, I think I have to renew it like every five years. If it is a permanent disability, all you have to do is go to DMV and renew it, no more paper work for doctor.

Thanks everyone. After I ask my neuro, I think I'd prefer leg weakness on an official form. I asked my neighbor who has arthritic knees and has a placard and she said she went to the local AAA office and they took care of it there. They asked no questions and just typed in her info before handing her the placard.

Again, thanks!
Jean

My doc filled mine in with "Multiple Sclerosis" Leg weakness, fatigue" And that got me the plaque in the mail in less than two weeks. I did not have to go to the DMV at all. Every 2 years, they send me a renewal questionairre which I take to my PCP's office, they fill it out and send it in and I get the new tags in the mail. Seems quite efficient here.

My car was parked in airport Valet parking while we were on this year's MS Cruise and the placquard was missing from the car when we got back. I called the DMV and they asked me to fax them the number of the placquard (on the registration slip they send with it) and I had a replacement tag two days later!

Actually, I got my form off the Internet. Then I took it to my chiropractor who filled it out and I sent it in. But, it took the four weeks they said it would to get it. Probably depends on each state.

Kitt