Don't Hate Me for My Handicapped Parking Spot Permit

I have a handicapped parking permit. I have MS, and experience fatigue as well as walking with a limp. I get around pretty well, and a lot of days I don't feel like I need it. Though it was my doctor's suggestion, I was actually hesitant to get it. But I still use it. Here's why.

In many cases handicapped spots are left empty if there aren't handicapped people there to take them. You're not allowed to park in a handicapped spot, but handicapped people are still allowed to park in regular spots. If I take a good regular spot when I could have taken the handicapped spot, I am taking a good spot away from someone. Handicapped spots frequently sit open, untaken. Rather than cursing someone who looks like they didn't need the spot, shouldn't you be happy they didn't take the one you got?

I can't speak for Ms. TooFatToWalk or her friend Mr. BogusBackProblem. There probably are people with permits who don't need them. But when people look like they don't need the spot and then proceed to walk around for an hour, you may not know the full story. Maybe that was their only active hour that day. Occupational therapists teach that for those with disabilities it's all about energy conservation - we are instructed to conserve energy wherever and however we can. I suppose it would look better to the general public if the person with the handicapped spot used a scooter to get around the mall, thus "proving they needed the spot". But what if you followed them home and saw them walk outside for exercise, which is healthy for disabled people? Everyone should try to get some exercise. It's not all or nothing. People have good and bad days, and good and bad minutes, for that matter. You may not see the bigger picture, where that person's trip to the mall was a lot of work for them and they slept the rest of the day. Also, with a disability you don't know from how much activity is going to be too much until you are in the midst of it. Sometimes people are able to do more than usual, sometimes less. That's a kind of uncertainty that trumps your indignity of having to walk across the parking lot.

Seriously, would you like to trade? I'll give you my permit. But with it comes the burning sensation in my legs, prescription drug costs, and intense fatigue. Would you really rather have that all for a better parking spot?

The next time you get all bent out of shape about someone who doesn't look disabled enough for your tastes, focus on how lucky you are that your ability to cross a parking lot is without question. Because I feel lucky I can even walk at all, luckier still that I live in a country that doesn't prohibit women from driving, and luckiest of all that I even have both legs.