I’m getting a handicapped parking placard

Well, it’s official. I’m in the process of requesting a handicapped parking placard. I mentioned previously that I’ve had a couple of episodes where I’ve fainted unexpectedly. I’ve also had some episodes where I’ve had to walk from the back of these HUGE parking lots we have here in Dallas (yes, most things are bigger in Texas) into a building in the 110 degree heat (really, not exaggerating) and by the time I get inside my heart is beating so hard you can literally see my chest moving. These things really freak out my friends and family, and they have been asking me for months to get a handicapped parking placard. I’ve been ignoring them because I hate to admit that I have limitations. But after ending up in the Emergency Room (ER) for a second time, I’m relenting. I decided it’s really not very nice of me to cause everyone else all this anxiety because I don’t want to admit that I need a handicapped placard.

As I said, I hate to admit that I have limitations. I always think I can get more done in a day than I actually can. It’s part of my perennially positive attitude. I never admit that I can’t do something until I try it (sometimes repeatedly) and am slapped across the face with the evidence that I can’t. Often this results in physical pain for me. Like the time in my 40s that I went water skiing. The next day I was so sore, that I literally couldn’t move. My doctor had to remind me that having hypermobile Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) it probably isn’t a good idea to have a boat yanking on my shoulder joints with who knows how many pounds of force just so I can ride around the lake on these thin little strips of wood acting like I’m still in my 20s. Then she gave me some pain meds and sent me home to lick my wounds. Yep, I don’t like having limitations.

I was talking with a friend of mine about this handicapped placard when it occurred to me that by not getting it, I was causing my husband, my mother, my friends, my son, and all these other people who care about me to worry. They are all wondering when they are going to get another phone call saying I’m back in the emergency room because I was too stubborn to admit I can’t walk half a mile in the heat and humidity of Texas. I also realized that it limits where I can go and what I can do because I have to think about how far I might have to walk. I mean, really, it defeats the purpose of going to dinner if I’m just going to end up in the ER.

So, I swallowed my pride, downloaded the forms off the Internet, filled them out, and took them to my PCP. I was just going to get a temporary placard because I’m certain they are going to figure out what’s causing my heart to beat crazily and then they will tell me what to do so that doesn’t happen anymore and all will be good. My PCP looked at me and said, “Let’s just go ahead and request a permanent one. Then if you don’t need to use it, you don’t have to, but you have it if you need it.” Well, crap!! I hadn’t considered this might be a long-term situation. So, now I’m mailing the forms along with my prescription from my PCP – and my money – off to the State of TX to get my placard.

The positive side (remember I’m perennially positive), my friends and family are happy and they will worry about me less. And honestly, what does it matter what other people think? I’m sure some people will wonder what this seemingly healthy-looking woman is doing parking in the handicapped parking space, but I’m not responsible for what others think. So, I’m getting my placard and promise to use it when it would be helpful (probably a lot).

How about you? How do you deal with your limitations? Let me know in the comments or shoot me an email at ACLARUSmarketingGirl@gmail.com. Until next time….