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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / December 2005handicap sticker question -
Hi everyone. I am wondering if I'm crazy to be thinking of asking my rheum to sign a handicap sticker application for me. here's the situation. I am mainly doing well. The humira and mtx are working. I go about my daily routines with very little problem. Working part time. The fatigue has even let up since starting the humira (from enbrel). I would never think to use a hanicapped parking spot for daily errands and all. But there are certain situations where I find myself really needing one. For instance, we just went to a hockey game and we had to walk 10 minutes from our parking space to the stadium, over uneven ground which just kills my legs. By the time I got to the stadium, I was having some major pain, mostly in my feet, ankles, due to joint damage, and in my hips. And of course, there's alot of walking to get to the seat. This wouldn't have been bad (escalators, smooth carpeted surfaces), if I hadn't already made the outside trek. Needless to say, the night was not as enjoyable because I had pain for a good majority of it - not to mention thinking of having to walk back to the car. I'm also thinking of the malls. I don't "walk" the malls. I usually try to just go in one store at a time. But during this time of the year, finding a spot close to the entrance is nearly impossible - I will probably do most of my shopping online. I don't want this to come out as I'm whining... I am very grateful to be doing so well. But now that I am well and am able to do more, I feel that I'm missing out on things could be doing because of the long distance walking. I just figured I would ask you all for some input. I have a rheum appt on monday. She probably will refuse. Particularly seeing how good I'm doing. And I know the rheums are probably faced with many many people asking for cards without a real need... Does anyone here have a handicap sticker for special circumstances? Was it difficult to get your dr. to agree to sign the application? All input is welcome, but please be gentle if you're itching to flame. I really don't want to offend those who need to use the sticker all the time. I was in that position many years ago and was so stubborn against getting one. Now I'm in a much better position healthwise, but feel it would just really help me... thanks... alison Just because you have a sticker or plate doesn't mean that you have to park in a handicapped spot every time. Remember that you can't wait until you have a flare to suddenly ask for a sticker. Some of us have good times which last for a while, but we also have days when it's difficult to walk across the room. The fact that you are agonizing over getting the sticker means that you probably won't abuse it, and the fact that you are limiting your activities due to mobility problems means that you probably should have one. Print your post and show it to your doctor. I don't think she will refuse. If you do get a sticker, don't look for reasons not to use it. All you would be doing is hurting yourself. Anytime you worry about being able to walk back to the car after an event, you probably DO need to use the closer spot. I have one. Not because I need it when going in, but when I'm coming out. Yeah, I get the "dirty" looks from the old folks who are about 200lbs overweight and want the spot... But hey, when I'm done with a hour of grocery shopping, it's about all I can do to walk back out to my car without the tears streaming because of how much I hurt... So, if you need it, USE IT! hell with the others. sorry, just my .02c :-) RK | Hi everyone. I am wondering if I'm crazy to be thinking of asking my rheum | to sign a handicap sticker application for me. here's the situation. I am [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] | | alison I agree. FM and Arthritis can be "invisible" to others, but that doesn't mean we don't need a handicap card. Like you said, as long as the doctor okays it, who the heck cares what anyone else thinks?! Nanny >I have one. Not because I need it when going in, but when I'm coming > out. Yeah, I get the "dirty" looks from the old folks who are about [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] > | > | alison >I agree. FM and Arthritis can be "invisible" to others, but that doesn't >mean we don't need a handicap card. Like you said, as long as the doctor >okays it, who the heck cares what anyone else thinks?! Nanny Eight short years after Charlie wouldn't even let me use mine if he was driving, he asked his doctor for and got his own. Things change. You might as well give yourself a break while they do. Its one place you can get just a little help to get through your day. There are few enough of those. Jo I followed up on this, Jo, and sent a letter to my rheumy asking if he would recommend my obtaining a handicap sticker/card, and if so, would he send me the necessary form to fill out. I chose my rheumy rather than my PCP, because he would be more willing to give me the OK because he treats me for FM and RA and knows the pain level involved. Here's hoping, Nanny >>I agree. FM and Arthritis can be "invisible" to others, but that doesn't >>mean we don't need a handicap card. Like you said, as long as the doctor [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Jo Check on your state's Dept Motor Vehicle website. In Washington we can download the form, fill it out, and either take it to our doctor or mail it to him/her. It's a lot easier :) Carole > I followed up on this, Jo, and sent a letter to my rheumy asking if he would > recommend my obtaining a handicap sticker/card, and if so, would he send me > the necessary form to fill out. I chose my rheumy rather than my PCP, > because he would be more willing to give me the OK because he treats me for > FM and RA and knows the pain level involved. Here's hoping, Nanny The RD had no problem signing the form for me... I just explained my situation in terms of the hockey game night. No other questions asked. I was so relieved. embarrassed to still be asking, but relieved she said yes. As for the appt - all went well. upped my mtx inj to 20mg and still on humira 1x/week. If it doesn't relieve all the swelling, next step will be remicade. I go back in feb. unless something spikes... thanks all!! alison > Hi everyone. I am wondering if I'm crazy to be thinking of asking my > rheum to sign a handicap sticker application for me. here's the situation. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > alison You ask for the handicap placard when not having one is limiting your life. The point I asked, I'd gone to the store to pick up groceries after work that we needed for dinner. When I saw how far I was going to have to walk just to get into the store, I turned around and went home. It wasn't the first time it happened, but that time was the last straw. I can do just so much. And I'm grateful for what I can still do. Usually it isn't really the walk into the store that is the last straw. Its facing the walk back to the car when I'm done. By then I'm exhausted and feel vulnerable. I would stay home even more than I do rather than put myself in that position. Get an ordinary sticker. There is no law that you have to use it all the time. And remember you disability is no ones business but yours. No one can tell by looking at another persons just what limitations they have to live with. Jo >Does anyone here have a handicap sticker for special circumstances? Was it >difficult to get your dr. to agree to sign the application? I had no problems, and it is not for special occasions. I decide on the special occasions. I try to walk when I can, but the weather is not always in favour of that. If I am feeling good, and have lots of errands I will use the sign and park close to the entrance because I know by the time I get out I will be dragging. We have one store here that is so huge going around it is like taking a looonng walk. Often, for short errands I park anywhere. If I have to carry something I use the tag. It depends on the way I feel at the time. --- Joan >>>If I have to carry something I use the tag. It depends on the way I feel >>>at the time.<<< I never even thought of this, but this is big for me as well, since my hands are greatly affected. I always just think of the walking aspect. But the hands are a biggie too - thanks... alison My Family Dr gave me a temp one. I only use it when I need it. Have been in a leg cast since Sept and there is no sign of getting rid of it any time soon : ( I only go to the mall when I have to--into the store and back out. Just don't have the strength to 'shop' anymore let alone walk around the entire mall. Come Feb we will decide if I will need it permanently. I use the temp tag when riding in DS's vehicle. DH has a permanent one and got the license plate for it. He has RA amongst other things. HTH Butterfly > Hi everyone. I am wondering if I'm crazy to be thinking of asking my > rheum to sign a handicap sticker application for me. here's the situation. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > alison Alison, Get the sticker. I have a placard that I put on my rear view mirror. When I don't need it, I tuck it into the elastic thing on my sun visor. But when I do need it, it's there. I hear you on the walk from the parking lot to the venue, as that's my problem, even with grocery shopping. It takes so much out of me to do the shopping, that I am very grateful to only have to walk a few steps to my car when I'm finished. Carole Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to talk to the rheum about it. I should have done it long ago. But I guess we all have stereotypes about who should have them. - thinking wheelchair bound or people with oxygen needs. I hadn't really thought about my really bad times, in terms of wanting one before that happens and since we never know when, I should be prepared. I will post after the rheum appt. to update. I'm at the same place as you are, Alison. I do and I don't feel the need for a handicap sticker/card. My husband thinks I should ask my doctor if he will okay one for me. I'm glad you brought this up, because I'm going to ask my doctor next time I see him. Like you, the short walks are all right, but for those special times at concerts, games, Christmas shopping, etc. my husband always leaves me off at the door and picks me up at same. Go ahead and ask your doctor and let us know what she says. What can you lose? Nanny > Hi everyone. I am wondering if I'm crazy to be thinking of asking my > rheum to sign a handicap sticker application for me. here's the situation. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > alison Hi Allison I am glad to hear you are doing so well but I certainly think it would be ok to ask for a handicap sticker for parking. I know what you mean as far as walking so far to park. Some days it isn't so bad, but to walk 10 min from a parking place is ridiculous and you shouldn't have to do that. Dont hesitate to ask him. I am sure you are not one who wouldn't abuse it. My doctor suggested I get one and I didn't even know I would be eligible. It was such a blessing for me. Good luck and I hope you continue to see improvement. Happy holidays Janice | Hi everyone. I am wondering if I'm crazy to be thinking of asking my rheum | to sign a handicap sticker application for me. here's the situation. I am [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] | | alison hi alison, absolutely get the handicap placard! some days i need mine and other days i don't, but having that choice is wonderful and i never abuse it (i have a sister who can't walk at all due to MS and i think of her any time i'm tempted to abuse my placard). especially this time of year when the parking lots are full, you need that option. we have the same rheumy, and no way i can imagine her refusing to give you the placard, especially if you describe your need as you did to us. good luck, diane get the placard. I just did after 10 yrs (I turn 30 this Dec) Any doctor even a chiropractor can fill out the form... doesn't have to be a rheumy. In CA, the form can be downloaded and taken in to your doctor so you don't have to wait at the DMV. good luck > hi alison, > absolutely get the handicap placard! some days i need mine and other [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > diane My GP signed for mine. Here in South Carolina, we can download the form and mail it in and the placard(s) are mailed back. My mom has two so she can take one with her on trips and not worry about losing it. The other, she keeps in her car. I use it when grocery shopping, even though I use the electric carts bacause I am limited to how long I can stand and look (a necessity in grocery shopping in price comparing, etc.). Even when I'm with my mom, if there is a spot fairly close that's not handicapped, we will use it so as to leave the spot for some one who is really bad off. We both have osteoarthritis and some rhumatic arthritis. Mom also had a knee replacement last year and I went thru the Hyalgan this summer - feels like I may need it again. It says online that it's usually good for 4 to 6 months. Good luck and go for the sticker - check your local online DMV and you may not even have to go down to get it. Loujean >get the placard. I just did after 10 yrs (I turn 30 this Dec) >Any doctor even a chiropractor can fill out the form... doesn't have to be a [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >> >> diane Alison, There is nothing wrong with your question. I use my sticker for special occasions. I got it almost eight years ago when I was going to school and had to walk a long way with a load of books. Now I use it when I need it, on bad days, long treks, etc. Explain to your doctor what you want it for. Hopefully he/she will understand. debbie m. > Hi everyone. I am wondering if I'm crazy to be thinking of asking my rheum > to sign a handicap sticker application for me. here's the situation. I am [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > alison |
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