That being
said, sometimes walking from my car to places has caused some trouble,
especially in the hot weather Boston has been having. After I bought my car I
inquired at the office I work in if I would be able to park in their very small
garage. I have been working there for 9 years but am still considered a newbie
as most of my coworkers have been there for more than 20 years! So, there were
people ahead of me to get the space that had newly become available. My boss
suggested to me to apply for a handicap placard. It had not occurred to me
before to apply for one, but followed his suggestion. I easily found the form
online and had my neurologist fill out the appropriate information. Shortly
afterwards I received my placard in the mail. I never had paid much attention
to placards, so it was a surprise to find my license photo on the front. Lucky
for me, that photo turned out really good, but I use the sleeve that was sent
with the placard to cover the photo when I have it hung up in my car.
At first I
felt uncomfortable using the placard. I felt like since I “look so good” other
people walking by may make comments to me about why I would be using a placard.
There is a handicap space across the street from my office where I park every
day. After expressing some concern to a friend and coworker of mine about using
the placard, she made me realize that I had no business feeling uncomfortable. Abe,
my husband, also helped me understand that I needed to use it, for my own
safety. After repetitive motion, my legs and arms get tingly and numb and
walking even a short distance can make me feel fatigued, not to mention a
handful of other symptoms. I started to feel more confident and started using
the placard outside of parking at work.
One day not
too long ago I was walking from my car back to my office after my lunch break
and fell down. I wasn’t badly hurt but twisted my ankle and called my office
(thank goodness for cell phones!) to have a couple of the girls come out to help
me get back inside. It was sort of wake up call for me that I not only need to
move a little slower (though that may not prevent the fall as all of us MSers know)
and that in fact, I do have MS and need a little help.
I now have
no problem using my placard whenever I need to. I am so thankful that my boss suggested this
to me. No one has ever made comments to me, but if they do I am ready for them.
I have started to notice other people who have placards who “look good” and
realize that disability (I don’t really like that word) comes in all shapes and
sizes. This one happens to be 5 feet and Greek!
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