Recently, I received a comment about having a disabled parking placard. Maybe this is because I walked that day, outwardly presented myself as healthy, and was engagedin the activities of the day. Clearly, the person commenting knows little about the unpredictability of MS, how we prefer not to use the placard, and how getting around can be a challenge when your muscles and limbs are spasming or locked up. Once again, I find myself in the position of having to educate people: MS is an incurable and unpredicable disease. Some days are better than others.
The day I presented my completed Department of Motor Vehicle form for the placard to my doctor I actually felt embarrassed for asking for her signature and for her endorsement of why I needed a placard; however, I did acknowledge that some days my mobility is an issue. One of my coworkers, a fellow MSer, told me to get on this application early as it can take up to six weeks to be approved for the placard from the DMV. In fact, it took almost 8 weeks.
I do not use my placard unless functioning on my own is a challenge. When I am exhausted or moving with trouble, this placard ensures I can make my doctor’s appointment on time and navigate safely into buildings without having to cross in front of erratic drivers or step over curbs and the like. For this, I am ever so grateful.
MS Fortunate 