Handicap’ Not Always Easy to Spot

 Maybe it’s time to get a few things straight concerning the physically handicapped. Since I happen to be one of them, and I have the forum, I will attempt to speak for us all.

First, what constitutes a handicapped person? The man in a wheelchair, certainly. The old woman with a walker, of course. And no one would deny a preferred space to a person dragging an oxygen tank behind. These handicaps are quite obvious, and no one questions them. But what about the man with a badly weakened heart? The woman with severe asthma? Quite often, they don’t look like they are handicapped. They don’t even look sick. Many people have hidden handicaps.

And it is not that easy to get a handicapped placard. Specific criteria must be met and it must be signed by a doctor. Many people are severely handicapped, and still look as good as you – or me. Ask anyone with multiple sclerosis, chronic respiratory conditions, or internal problems how they would make it if they had to walk a long distance to the store or restaurant, and most would say that they couldn’t do it. They would lose something that is most precious to them – their independence.

Pat Raiff, registrar at the Motor Vehicles Bureau at 1028 S. Smithville in Dayton, has heard it all before – many times. Her office is responsible for giving out those blue cards. She agrees that the blue placard is not easy to get.

`The sad thing is that many of the people who get these cards look perfectly OK,’ she says. `We also get lots of complaints from citizens who spot a seemingly healthy-looking person get out of a car in a handicapped spot. They want to know what we are going to do about it.’

Raiff attempts to educate those complainers about the realities of being handicapped.

Here is one of the realities: There have been many times when I have sat in my car – in the preferential parking spot – and wondered if I could make it all the way into the store to get a gallon of milk. If I had had to park far away, the issue wouldn’t even have come up – I know I couldn’t have made it. I don’t look sick; in fact I look quite healthy. I even drive a jaunty little red sports car (a remnant from my working days). Believe me, I get my share of dirty looks when I get out of the car. I’ve even thought of faking a little limp to appear more genuine. The nature of my handicap is not important here. It does exist, and it has left me severely weakened.

Remember that for some people, walking is difficult, and walking distances is almost impossible. Maybe instead of giving a dirty look to those “privileged” people, you might say a little prayer instead.You might be grateful that you have the physical ability to walk across an entire parking lot without difficulty.

I wish I could.