pink1975 Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 I am wondering about disabled parking for POTS. I think I have read that others on this board have been able to ask their doctors for a letter to take to the DMV to apply for a disabled parking hangtag. What are the medical requirements for this?Some days I am very ill and can't walk 10 feet without becoming tachy and feel like I am going to faint, other days I can walk as much as I want and have no issues. I usually know how the day is going to go based on the walk down my driveway to put the kids on the bus (which is about 200 steps). I say usually because some days I am actually feeling fine and then suddenly, not so much. This morning I was tachy at home, fine for the first hour at work, tachy and fainty by 10 am, better at 11 am and then ill again at 1 pm. (Is this randomness normal for POTS?) ANYhow, the point of my rambling is do you have to be tachy all of the time to qualify for the parking permit? What about not tachy but still feel like you can't walk too far? Now that we finally have summer here in WI, it is actually starting to get kind of hot outside which makes everything worse. I am still learning all of this since I have only been officially diagnosed for about 4 months.Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Each state has their own requirements. Go to your DMV website and you should be able to find any forms you need your doctor or you to fill out and sign. In Maryland, it is a very easy process. If your doctor approves and signs the form, you go to the DMV, hand them the form and your driver's license, they don't even ask any questions except "do you want hanging placards or hard plates". They give you placards /plates accordingly and then they give you a paper card (looks like out voter id. Cards) that says that you are the disabled person that the plates/placards are for. (The placards have a serial number that is printed in these cards...plate numbers also printed on cards.) You're supposed to keep these cards with you anytime you would be using your handicapped privileges in case an officer were to ask you for it similar to your license. My doc was fine with it. I only use mine on bad days. And I also don't use it when there is a regular space just as close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
looneymom Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Shortly after my son was diagnosed, the cardiologist gave me the paper work to take care of this. At this time he is wheelchair bound, so having the permit is great if I can find a parking spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YolaInBlue Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 I went to Dr. Thompson in Pensacola, FL. He is a dysautonomia specialist and he has POTS himself. He asked me if I want a disabled parking permit.It's just a simple form to fill out and take to DMV. They don't ask any questions or require any tests.It's been so helpful to have it especially on hot days, here in Florida.If you have an understanding doctor, it shouldn't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k&ajsmom Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Agreed. My doctor wanted me to have one and gave me the paperwork. Just a simple form stating i have a cardiac autonaumic disease. I just haven't been able to muster the energy to sit at a dmv for hours to get it =( lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hope Posted May 17, 2013 Report Share Posted May 17, 2013 Your state may be different, but I just downloaded a form from the Secretary of State filled out my part and took it to the cardiologist with me and they filled out their part. Then I mailed it in to the address provided. The first one I applied for was temporary since I couldn't comprehend how long I would be needing it. I just received a new one that is permanent that I had my neurologist sign for. I think it's the nature of POTS to not be consistent. I get some days where my heart rate doesn't ever get over 90. Then there's the rest of the days where it will go from 125 to 89, to 111, or 148 etc. My blood pressure is very inconsistent as well. I wouldn't worry about it. I have a family member who is disabled with MS. He is allowed to work 20 hours a week on disability and some weeks he can and other weeks there's no way. I was a little nervous at first too, but I figured the worst that could happen is that they don't give it to me. But they did, and I'm very grateful! Now if I could just be well enough to drive so I could use the darn thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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