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Frustrated! And A Question


jhjd

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I really shouldn't complain, but I'm about to. I'm probably luckier then a lot of people here in that I'm able to lead a fairly normal life. I'm an attorney with the state of Alabama, and so get to sit down a lot of the day and both my secretary and boss know about my condition and are very helpful. But the problem is getting to work. I live in Montgomery, AL, where it's already in the 80s by the time I get to work at 8:30 a.m. and I have to park SEVERAL blocks away AND up a hill. Mornings are always the worst anyways, and by the time I make the walk, my heart is pounding and I'm shaking, lightheaded, and dizzy. I have to lie down in my office before I can actually DO any work. I don't want to get a handicapped permit, because I'm actually doing pretty well and wouldn't consider myself disabled, but it looks like it's the only way I'm going to be able to get into the adjacent garage (spots are limited and assigned on state seniority). Do ya'll have any advice on how to go about getting the permit?

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Well, I live in Colorado but I recently got the handicapped plaquard because of all my "issues" and I just went down to the DMV with the form (found online or at your doctors office) that my doc had filled out. It was super easy and it's free!!

Maybe contact your doc and see if they have the forms. If not, I think that you should be able to print it from the computer yourself. It seemed like a national form, not State specific, but I could be wrong.

I only use mine when needed. Just because you have it doesn't mean that you're disabled or crippled in any way. It just means that you NEED it!! Use it when you go to work and then put it away, if that makes you feel better.

Mainly you need to take care of yourself and not "worry" about what others will think or feel about you!!

Good luck on your journey!

Rebecca

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i understand the hesitation but the reality is that you do need it. perhaps not always, but for certain situations, i.e. parking at work. when i first had mine i only used it when i was particularly symptomatic or at venues/locales where parking was really far away and thus prohibative for me. i put it off for years until i realized how ridiculous it was for me to do some of what i was doing to compensate (i.e. stopping to lay down in a parking lot after parking too far away, driving around for an hour to wait for a close spot, leaving, etc.). at times when you don't need it you don't have to use it.

the forms are state specific though tend to be very similar. if you go the the DMV/MVA website it should give you all the info about what you need to do, but essentially you'll need to fill out a form with either a doc's signature or an accompanying prescription (it depends on the state). some places charge a nominal fee of a few dollars for the placard. i've had to get placards in two states & one charged, one didn't. one required the doc sign the form, one just needed a prescription and a form that i filled out. chances are you can print the form out from the website. if not you can probably call & they'll mail it to you.

hope this helps,

:D melissa

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I, also am an attorney and got a placard over a year ago. The form was on line and my cardo filled it out. The form requires a box to be checked which indicates whether the disability is temp or permanent. He was apologetic about checking the form for permanent. He said that he checked that box as it was more efficent for me to use. I think that he was being senstive to my feelings then as I wanted to think that my affliction was something that would pass. Now I know it is with me always. The placard is good until 2010.

I did not drive to work, however. I had a driver who had a taxi and whom I paid monthly. I could not have practiced as long as I did without that help. I quit practicing at the end of last year as I was concerned about activities outside the office. I stopped going to court in Nov. of last year and stopped attending meetings at other firms. This was no way to practice law. Better luck to you. I think that the more you reserve your energy, the longer you can continue. I miss it terribly but I had a long career and it was time to let it go. That is not , necessarily true for you. Everything I did with the placard was either on line or through the mail I did not have to go to the DMV

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My doctor suggest it once things begain to get worse for me. The one thing you can tell yourself to make it better is use the permit on only days that you need to. When you can walk that far, go ahead and do it. I had a really hard time when I first used mine, I hated getting the looks and ect. But then I am sick, just like anyone else that needs to park in a handcap space, it just many people don't understand that the are illness you can't see.

I think next time you see your doctor you should talk to him or her, and explain how you are feeling and let them know it is getting harder to walk in the heat. Express that it my be time for you go get a permit to you on bad days. I am sure your doctor will listen.

Good luck, I hope things get better for you in the heat!

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I posted a similar question a few months ago. I work in a hospital, so for me to get a handicap pass would mean taking spots from seniors and people with wheelchairs. I battled the decision for months, but like you- I would end up at work super sick from the hike and some days could not work because I could not handle the uphill walk.

The pass has been the best thing in the world. I use it when I need to. My MD signed the form and I walked it in (you can mail it). I don't really park in handicap- but this lets me park in patient parking without getting in trouble. It has made all of the difference in the world.

If you are like me and cannot think or function after the hike it- you have to get it just to be able to keep your career. I just thought of it as get the pass or risk saying something wrong or making the wrong judgement in a morning meeting due to illness. In order to protect my career and health ins coverage, I had to get it.

Someone on the forum told me "We have to own our illness sometimes". That sentence says it all. You don't have to be a hero- ask for what you need.

Good luck! :lol:

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Interesting post as I called this morning to get my temp. card updated again. I keep asking for 3 months, thinking it will pass, so here is round 4!! I am not able to drive, but even with others driving me it has been helpful as they can't always drop off at the door. I agree with all the others, didn't want it-but a must for me.

I wouldn't make it through most of my apts. if I had to walk across the parking lot. Saved energy is a bonus. You can't worry what others think if they don't see a wheelchair or cane, etc.

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Frist, I'd like to say this:

JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE A HANDICAPPED PARKING PERMIT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE DISABLED!

I've had them before when I was in a leg/foot cast and on crutches because of leg surgery and because of sprained ankles. Does that make me diabled? I don't think so. I just means for that some reason or other I need to park close to the entrance of something.

Now with that rant out of the way. Swallow your pride and get the **** thing. I've learned that if I need something to help keep me from getting sicker then I NEED it and I'm going to USE it.

I grew up in a small county, the entire county went to 1 high school and it had less than 500 students in all 4 grades. So everybody grew up together and knew each other. I was not popular and mostly a loner because I was one of "the smart kids" and my brother was MVP of the football team which is LIFE there. So he was one of the most popular people in the school even as a freshman. Let me tell you, walking through Wal-Mart on a Saturday night with my CANE at 20 and seeing my brother's "friends" pointing and laughing loudly at me was not the most energizing experience. And neither was getting out of the car at the mall with my mother having parked in the handicapped space because I couldn't take the heat and all the walking across the LONG parking lot and watching the "popular girls" from my year walk by laughing at me for paking in the handicapped space at 20. Well guess what. I NEEDED those things so I USED them and I held my head high and walked past them as if I didn't notice them.

If I could go through all of that, you can **** well get the parking permit so you can save yourself from getting so sick from heat and walking and having to lay down in your office before you can work.

Sorry, I don't mean to make you mad, but you really hit a nerve on this issue. And everybody else, yes I know I'm being mean and I apologize to EVERYONE already for being mean but sometimes something hits a nerve and I can't not say it.

UnicornIsis

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Hi JHJD

I can certainly relate to how you feel in the mornings and walking distances before you begin your workday. I would seek out the parking permit though so you can start out fresher and not so wiped out, there is no shame in it at all. And, its okay to feel frustrated by this disorder, many of us do as well so you are not alone at all.

That is terrific that you are an attorney! a plus side is, with your position you will also be seen as an advocate for this disorder and an inspiration at the same time for others when they see that you have a health issue and are still able to do your lifes work by taking measures to allow you to function better and also people will relate to you that have a health issue as well. Also what medications have you tried? Have you tried to take Midodrine in the AM before you start out on your day, it has helped many people function a little better.

Good luck to you and hope all is well.

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Thanks for everything! Unicorn- you didn't make me mad. I'd be upset if I had to deal with those jerks as well. I enjoy this forum so much (both reading and posting) because, when I'm feeling crappy and I'm tired of trying to either explain away or lie about my symptoms, I know ya'll understand. Even if I'm not involved in a discussion, it's just nice to know that there's people out there who 'get it.' Ya'll are right- I am going to talk to my doctor when I go back to him. I think my 'pride' problem is that, if I get the pass, I can't just use it when I need it- at least not at work. I have to take it over to facilities management, explain to them what's wrong, and get a whole new parking space and access card assigned. But you all are right that it's not worth it not to. The other morning I came in, really dizzy, and flopped in my chair with my legs up on another chair. Then my secretary came in and I tried to stand up- failed miserably- and ended up falling with my head landing in the trash can. She, bless her heart, was trying not to laugh at me, but we eventually both just couldn't help it. The thing was on my head!

I've actually been referred to a new doctor, so we'll have to see how it goes. I've not tried any medicines yet- I may have posted this before, but I was REALLY convinced that I had a particularly bad case of PCOS- I had surgery and everything. (And before that it was IBS, and then maybe anxiety, and was I sure I wasn't using any illegal drugs? You know how it goes). So I finally got referred to a RE who took one look at me, believed I was sick, and sent me straight over to cardio, where they started running tests. He diagnosed me with POTS, but said he wanted me to see a specialist about meds, etc. I haven't been yet because I just graduated from law school, got a new job, and (the best part) better insurance. My RE stopped short of ordering the formal TTT so that they couldn't say POTS was preexisting, and we've been waiting for me to get all the insurance documentation to go to the new Dr. I'm just hoping he's as nice as my RE.

And, incidentally, I've been meaning to post this about legal services. Most states/communities have disability advocacy programs (I've worked for the one here in Alabama) with both legal and social work arms. If you're having a problem, I'd encourage you to get in contact with your state's office. If they can't help you directly, they can probably refer you to someone who can!

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Dear Jhjd-

I am sorry, but your post did make me laugh. I think the humor is necessary at times, to off set the sadness we experience. The trash can story was a riot. I wish you better days, hoping you can continue to work,-- keep that secretary- lol- and get that permit.

Take care :(B)

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jhjd,

I'm a lawyer too. Like you I have mild POTS -- it was pretty bad at first, but it has gotten better over time and is pretty tolerable these days. And one of my worst problems has been getting to and from work -- although I live in the city and don't have to drive. Just wanted to say hi b/c it sounds like we have some things in common. Good luck with the parking situation!

-Rita

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