UNSEEN DISABILITIES

[MNBK]

Both my wife and I Qualify for handicap stickers. She has had both hips replaced and still has trouble walking any distance. I broke my back in 5 places and have had 9 knee operations to include a replacement all due to my previous profession. When we use our stickers, some people look at us and our two spyders and start to argue with us and threaten to call the police. I tell them no need to and show them my retired Sheriff's Office ID. That usually ends the conversation.

 

[sealfloorboards]

When I first got my Spyder, I would put my car placard on my Spyder. I finally ran into a cop that thought I should not be allowed to park my Spyder in a handicapped spot regardless of my auto placard. He gave me a ticket. I immediately went to the courthouse (I live in a small town) to challenge it. I managed to go right into traffic court and see the judge. I told him that I walked the same way whether I was on my Spyder or in my car. Also noted that the placard traveled with me and not my car. He went to his Oregon Traffic Laws book and found that there was actually a Handicapped sticker to put on a motorcycle. He dismissed the case and thanked me for bringing it to his attention. Off to the DMV to order a Motorcycle Handicapped Sticker. Case closed, I may occasionally get a "stink eye" from someone, but I haven't had any trouble since then. Now I park legally and Ride in comfort.
John

 

[thereverend]

Thanks for recognizing those of us with unseen disabilities, I have a pulmonary disorder and can relate.

 

[sealfloorboards]

This is the third time I've read this entire thread over the past few months. Today, as in past readings, I'm still in awe at some of the obstacles we can overcome. Hy hat's off to all my enabled friends:bowdown:. Life may not have played out like we expected, but I see an awful lot of "Lemonade" out there rather than "Lemons". Bless you all.
Ride in comfort,
John

 

[sylvester]

Just had the same thing done in June, I went for a short ride. Monday, my eight weeks of healing was up, so away I go! I can't stop living for a little thing like that! I've survived 7 heart attacks. Thanks for sharing, I will ride 'til I absolutely can't anymore. Hang in there.

 

[Two cats]

This is the third time I've read this entire thread over the past few months. Today, as in past readings, I'm still in awe at some of the obstacles we can overcome. Hy hat's off to all my enabled friends:bowdown:. Life may not have played out like we expected, but I see an awful lot of "Lemonade" out there rather than "Lemons". Bless you all.
Ride in comfort,
John

Thanks my friend. Our lives May change. But our spirit prevails over our trials and tribulations. Ride Safe :riding: Happy Trails.

 

[Krystal]

I always worry about this when my husband parks in disabled parking spaces. My husband has AFib, COPD, and has just had bypass surgery, so he can't drive at all for one month or drive a Spyder for 3 months. He had a previous heart attack and gets tired quickly and short of breath walking long distances. But he looks normal, so people don't always see the disability. Just happy he will still be able to enjoy riding with me in the future.

 

[wd8ajj]

I have been confronted more than I like to say. Even with a H/C plate on the bike been called a cheat and a few other terms. I have gone thru 29 major surgeries on my legs back hips arms shoulders and #30 happens on the 10th to replace my knee and pin into the leg bones due to my bones dying for some unknown reason. As long as they can rebuild me, I'll keep on going. Yes, my Spyder has kept me riding and having fun. I even bought a new camper this year, so my "disability" has slowed me down but not stopped me. I agree with all who get tired of people saying you don't look disabled so why are you abusing the system? I did ask one person what a disabled person looked like, and he said a few interesting words and walked away. One summer, when a person wanted to know why I was disabled and didn't look disabled, I dropped my pants and showed him all my scars. He had nothing to say after that. I laughed all the way home.

 

[Saluda]

My uncle had 2 major heart attacks (@ 55). Had to live with extreme limitations (hated it). Looking at him, he was built like a bull, if not, these attacks would have killed him right away. People were never understanding, until it did kill him a short time later. God Bless and strength to all of you out there with your own issues, whether they show or not. I now completely understand and sympathize because of this.

 

[ARtraveler]

The third time I have read this from top to bottom now. Thank you all for posting your stories and comments. :bowdown:

 

[Two cats]

The third time I have read this from top to bottom now. Thank you all for posting your stories and comments. :bowdown:

You are welcome my friend. Happy Trails. :riding:

 

[canamjhb]

I, too have read this thread more than once. It is a good reminder for me to keep an open mind open and not judge others. Right now, I am in a walking boot due to surgery. I am still able to ride because the surgery was on my left foot. I did not ask for, or need any special parking. I am able to negotiate the parking lots for any reasonable distance. I want to leave the handicap parking spots for those in need, whether the disability is obvious or not. My condition is temporary. Having experienced a short term "disability", I have the highest respect for those who live with long term issues and still live life to the fullest... Ride on... Jim

 

[Two cats]

I to want to thank you all for sharing your experiences with us. I have read a lot of these posts also. And I hope all is going well for you. It's nice that we can share our lives with each other and know that we have friends who we've not meet and hear about their goings on and how they have overcome things. So thanks again to you all and let's all keep in touch. :chat: Happy Trails, Ride Safe, Ride Often my Friends. :riding::

 

[LeftCoast]

I saw this recently and it impacted me deeply. I don’t think the same way after reading this thread and the saying below:

“BE KIND, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”

God bless you all who pave the way for those of us needing inspiration.

 

[Chasinsparks]

From my own experience the problem starts with uneducated people and the universal (ISA) symbol depicting a person in a wheelchair.
I’m a 100% disabled Veteran and although I do not look like I have any physical limitations, I have quite a few. I have had a disabled parking placard since 2015. I rarely use it due to fact I know there are persons far worse off than me. However, there are some days the pain is unbearable, and I refuse to be on pain meds all the time, so I deal with it and still do the things I enjoy; and on those days, I park in the disabled parking.
I have been blasted a few times for parking in the disabled parking spot. Both times I was told, "well, you don't look disabled", I politely asked what a disabled person looks like. Once, I was met with the answer that I was not in a wheelchair and that according to the emblem on the placard it shows a person in a wheelchair and that I do not match that description. I explained that is the universal (ISA) emblem and that it does not mean you have to be in a chair to be disabled and then told them to educate themselves.

On a positive note, just two days ago I put disabled plates on both my Q7 and Spyder. Maryland has a benefit for 100% disabled Veterans where it does not cost anything, and the tags are permanent, never have to register the vehicles again.

 

[spades2319]

Thank you for the video! I am still adjusting to my unseen disability as this is all new for me.

July 2, 2023, I had a massive stroke at 44 years old. I got very lucky in both where I was and my recovery (link to video below) but it has slightly limited the use of my left hand. Life has changed some as I learn my limitations (I hate that word) and finding the Spyder that's allowing me to return to riding is amazing. The video link to my story is below. I am luckily avoiding a pacemaker by having an ablation on Friday (Mar 1). They talk about it being routine, but messing with one's heart is scary... They do them as out-patient procedures now, with no hospital time, so that's a plus. At this point I have had catheters in my brain, so why not my heart I guess?!

I can't thank you enough for the encouragement!!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=673878214938165

 

[Gwolf]

I don't have disabilities, just a few minor inconveniences. The car load of teenagers driving grandmas car and parking in the disabled spots are the ones with disabilities.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thank you for the video! I am still adjusting to my unseen disability as this is all new for me.

July 2, 2023, I had a massive stroke at 44 years old. I got very lucky in both where I was and my recovery (link to video below) but it has slightly limited the use of my left hand. Life has changed some as I learn my limitations (I hate that word) and finding the Spyder that's allowing me to return to riding is amazing. The video link to my story is below. I am luckily avoiding a pacemaker by having an ablation on Friday (Mar 1). They talk about it being routine, but messing with one's heart is scary... They do them as out-patient procedures now, with no hospital time, so that's a plus. At this point I have had catheters in my brain, so why not my heart I guess?!

I can't thank you enough for the encouragement!!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=673878214938165

:agree: I have severe arthritis, and it prevents me from walking long distances... I'm sure some folks will look at me and think "WHY DOES HE HAVE A DISABLED PLACARD, He doesn't look at all disabled?" I have actually been questioned at the Ski area I go to, so I keep a copy of the registration with me in my Ski jacket... So far, I'm still able to ski, but only on the shorter trails... no more top to bottom runs .... Mike

 

[Bfromla]

Thankfully only one confrontation (full parking lot) & I made sure to thank the person for their effort, but to check license plate first. Proceeded with removing my hat revealing cranial scars, while sharing the story of what God has gotten me through. That person then apologized & we continued a conversation bout troubles of blocked parking & more importantly, the “Loading zones” striped areas beside the parking slot, often filled with buggies & or whatever else that doesn’t belong. People just don’t realize the troubles others can have until helping someone close (family/friend) or they themselves are injured such a way. Can’t blame them as we are trying to hide it & be normal (-ish). Those that just don’t care, however...

- this person probably just littered the paper driving off & considered it a sunshade.

On different note -

 

[f110tech]

I'm a little late to the party, but wanted to say thanks for this thread. I read the whole thing over a cup of coffee this morning.
I'm a 100% Totally and Permanent disabled Veteran. In my state placards are VERY common and permanent plates are not. However, as a disabled vet I qualify for such plates and had them on a car and when I parked in designated parking I would get "the look" from people next to me waiting for me to hang my placard on the rear view mirror. Some would stop me and ask me where it is and I would just tell them to check my license plate.

I just got my Spyder because I made the decision that I can't ride 2 wheels anymore as it's too painful. This is a great solution so I can still go 2-up with my wife and enjoy everything. When I registered the bike I was talking with our locally Registry office about disabled bike plates for vets and they don't have them (yet, the law is about to change). So I settled for a regular plate and asked for an application for a placard.

The next day I had a physical with my private primary care doctor and asked her to fill out the form for a placard. She refused stating "I don't think you need it". I then had to tell her that I already qualify regardless of how she felt. She still refused to sign, and told me to have my Veterans Affairs doctor do it. I then told her she better get ready for the law change because in a few months any veteran rated 60% or above will be able to get disability plates and she responded by saying "what about their disability?". I had to explain to her that we are disabled and were already rated by a grueling process through dept of Veteran Affairs and shouldn't have to go through anymore B.S. and that is all she had to say.

Ignorance is everywhere