Disabled Parking--Do You Have a Choice?

I received a Disabled Parking Placard recently, and have it in my car always.  But I rarely ever reach for it.

Why?  Isn't that like a golden ticket?  Especially in Southern CA, especially in the super busy Holiday season, and in general, this is the land of 'going in circles finding a parking spot'.  But I just don't think that way.

I know a few people that would utilize that thing to death, and quickly.  And they are not in the position of needing a wheelchair, or other assistive device.  They just want the great parking spot.  That is selfish.  Of course I am not saying that without the need of an assistive device negates the need to park close to your destination.  I never know when the day(s) will come that I have another surgery, or one of my 14 herniated discs slip just so, or one of the many Osteophytes grow just enough to completely impede the Dura of the spinal cord, or.........all rendering me unable to walk without extreme pain.  Or, the possibility that I would not be able to walk at all.

Yet I am blessed to be able to choose to park in the Disabled spot, or a regular spot.  Oh, I'm blessed.  Absolutely.  When I write about my experience of pain and levels of disability, I am constantly aware of the people who do not have a choice in using a parking placard.  They must use it--every time, no choice.  My heart goes out to these people; I am aware of just how close I came to being in the same position after I survived the rollover accident in high school.

Yet this happens to be my experience, and I am dealing with it like a present each day that is given to me.  Just to have the choice to use my parking placard, is a gift.  I choose not to use it as often as I possibly can.

If I am not in severe pain when out shopping, doing errands etc., then I park like everyone else.  I challenge myself to walk that extra 2 rows of cars just to get more movement into my day.  And there is plenty of movement, believe me!  If I can do it, then I want to do it.  And if something looks challenging, I will attempt it.  But I am not stupid, I won't try and carry 3 12-packs of diet coke in my arms because I wasn't planning on getting them or needing a cart.  Yes, I have done all that stupid stuff.  Now it's different as far as the physical movements I choose to put my spine through.  I ask for help.  I bring someone with me.  I ask someone to pick it up for me.

Walking a bit farther by not parking in the Disabled spots is something I feel good about.  I don't feel like I 'should' take up a spot that possibly a van with a wheelchair lift needs much more.  That doesn't mean I will never use my parking sign, but as long as I CAN avoid using it, I will.

And again, I feel very blessed to even have that choice.

In the rollover accident I mention above and in my profile, I was in a large van on the floor in the very back, and the firemen said the back doors should have flown open as we rolled; if it wasn't for the wheelchair lift on the back doors.  It saved my life, and also the other girl in the back with me.  The driver's brother had MS, and through his life, mine was saved.

Ergo why I feel such indebtedness to those who are in chairs?  I may never know--but one more thing.  Make eye contact with someone in a chair.  I have worked with patients who were dealing with facing life in a chair, and the #1 saddest 'complaint' from them was that: "People don't look at me; they are afraid they would be accused of staring....I just want them to act normal, and say Hi or Good Morning".   Look down, look at the people who spend their lives in a wheelchair, include them in this world of standing.  I know a few personally in a chair and the issue of most people not really looking right at them has come up over and over.  Say a cherry Merry Christmas to these brave people, along with the person standing next to you.

Happy Holidays to all and a fantastic New Year!!!!

2012 looks absolutely divine!!!  ;)

Gentle Hugs.... and Stay strong ~just for today~