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.

Seems strange having a placard at 35, but definitely needed. In ND, it is a simple yearly renewal, hadn't even thought about getting the plates.

I got one at the beginning of the summer, it is a permanent. I am only 17 and I cannot walk distances at all. Getting the placard didn't make me feel bad in anyway, if you hurt and are suffering you do what you gotta do. Don't let anyone make you feel bad if you have one, they don't know the pan you are going through.

Must admit, I didn't read all the posts here...will go back and read them later.

I have been struggling with the decision of even applying for a temp one. It is very hard for me to walk, but I'm most concerned about how my hubby will feel about having it. I'm 44, and had several issues with my legs before the wonderful RSD decided to spread everywhere. I swear it's like it hit every old injury I have!!

Was it difficult for your family and friends to accept having the disabled placard?

What is hard, is actually parking in the disabled spot. People look at you funny if you don't "LOOK" disabled. I have a limp, and multipal health issues. My brace is usually hidden and does not show with pants. I am 60 and I hate using the placard. Necessary yes, have to. There are times I won't use it either, when I have the energy and pain control to park further down. Mostly I use it when there are HUGE parking lots, like at a festival, or Art show, where walking is an issue just by itself. do what you have to do, to save yourselves from pain. I just don't like the way people look at you, if you are not in a wheelchair, just hurting. Pain is silent in public, doesn't mean you don't have it. I wish you all the best. I hope more empathy can be developed with the publics idea on this. ginnie

This isn't an issue for either my family or my boyfriend. They know I need it so there's never been a question about using it.

As Ginnie said...the harder thing is dealing with ignorant people who don't understand what it's like to have an "invisible" disability. I have a walker and haven't had to deal with it yet myself...but it reminds me of something that happened about a month after I got the permanent one. My boyfriend and I went to the grocery store (I was still REALLY slow at the time) and we bought a pretty full load of groceries. After we checked out, he went ahead of me out to the car to start putting the groceries in there and to warm up the car for me. Apparently, while he was loading the car this loud mouth guy walking by with his wife said, "Doesn't look like there's anything wrong with HIM. Don't know why HE'S parking there." Just then I walked out the doors and his wife hit him...HIT him...and said, "Well don't you feel stupid now?" Lol...too funny. Even that didn't bother my boyfriend...HE knew why he was parked there.

Thanks. I do use my cane and still move slow...especially as the weather is changing. Winters were hard enough before with just arthritis, but add RSD everywhere attacking every old injury (and there are many lol) and it gets to be quite the challenge. I think I had a temporary placard about 20 years ago after our car accident that messed up my left hip, but I can't remember for sure.

I've been trying to work up the nerve to try the scooter things they have at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club when we go, but I'm so afraid I'm gonna hit something LOL. And then I think people will act like I don't need it, that I'm too young and should leave it for the elderly. Makes me wonder how often those same thoughts ran through my mind before all this hit.

I've been trying to work up the nerve to try the scooter things they have at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club when we go, but I'm so afraid I'm gonna hit something LOL. And then I think people will act like I don't need it, that I'm too young and should leave it for the elderly. Makes me wonder how often those same thoughts ran through my mind before all this hit.[/QUOTE]

Hi Phyllis. I've been using the scooters at WalMart for a while now. I wouldn't be able to shop such a large store without one. Just ask the worker to show you how to use it. It's very easy and has a very tight turn radius. And don't worry about what others think of you! I gave that up a long time ago!

Thanks for the encouragement. I know pride goes before a fall...and in this case possibly quite literally. LOL

I need to try a store scooter too - but don't have the courage! I guess I should go in the wee hours of the morning and get "driving lessons" - plus, I have a service dog, and would want to train her to sit between my feet on the thing. She's a Border Collie, so not all that large. I've heard to many horror stories of people bumping the dog into the scooter and them getting feet run over to want her running along beside it.

My mom is 88, and usually goes with me on errands. She likes to sit in the car and people watch. I get out of the car and people think I am "using" her to be able to park in the spot. They don't realize she is perfectly able to walk - way, way better than I can. Since I have been using a service dog, though, they don't usually say anything any more.

The placard thing bothered me for the first couple years. Now I just don't pay any attention.

I have the license plates, which are "harder" to get. I will pull in to the handicapped spots and people don't see the thing hanging from my rear view mirror - so assume I am parking there illegal. I hate it when they say - HEY! You don't have a placard - MOVE! Not that many people are "bad enough" to get the plates. I just ignore them. If they are really being rude, I say "so call the cops" and go right on about my business.