UNSEEN DISABILITIES

[MNBK]

An update since I posted in February 2018, besides her two artificial hips my wife had breast cancer. She had surgery and then 16 rounds of chemo and 20 rounds of radiation. Her strength and stamina are not what they once were. I have had 2 more knee surgeries with one being a total replacement. I had a pacemaker put in when my pulse got down to 31. Additionally, I've had 2 back surgeries and a stent in the left carotid. So yeah, we get the looks when we park in the handicap spaces because we can walk, short distances, usually without a cane.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

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

Thank you Brother for serving our country. Thanks for sharing.
100% DAV here also.
Here's what I say about all the hate.
SCREW EM!

 

[ARtraveler]

It is good to re-read the thread and see the current posts.

Life is a big education and there is always a new nuance or two for those who have a disability. :bowdown:

 

[HonorGuardVeteranK9]

Funny Story.

I'm a combat disabled veteran with C-PTSD and Multiple TBI's. As I was renewing my driver's license and disability placards, the question of disability came up. When I explained my disabilities, they decided since they don't have PTSD or TBI to put COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) on the back of my license.

 

[Leaping1]

Thanks for sharing! I have a bad heart but for 77 years old look healthy so I know first hand about the looks. But I am thankful for my Can Am and each new day I say Thank You Lord.

 

[2dogs]

I have a disability that's likely my fault. My two knees need replacement, likely due to too many moguls and PLF's over the years. They often go unnoticed but are becoming increasingly obvious. I have handicap plates on my truck and soon to be coming to my Spyder. I recently bought a Polaris (with tracks for snow and wheels for dirt) and applied for a conditional hunting license so I'm legal to road hunt and can shoot from a vehicle during hunting season. They require I have a capable passenger along with me to help recover the game I've killed. And by the way, I do not return my shopping cart to the store after I use it, I leave it in the parking lot for the next disabled person to use. Screw those who think otherwise. Hmm, maybe I'm mentally handicapped also, but I don't give a *%#@. Whatever opinion you have of folks with disabilities seen or unseen remember, it could become you someday. So be kind to your fellow man or woman, because you never know what's around life's next corner.

 

[Briorick]

Amen, to your Posting @2dogs, and all others as well. You have the perfect attitude!

I realize this is an older thread, but I'll comment all the same. Yes, I've experienced the "looks" and "under-the-breath comments" as well due to my unseen disability.

I am a Left Leg Amputee, have been since 2001, and when wearing long legged pants, no one really knows. I have mastered my walk so as to not draw attention. Granted, I'm only 66, and look younger, so they say, but I can't tell you how many times I have gotten the looks and rude comments when I need to utilize a handicapped parking spot.

A few years back, I had a Patrol Cop stop me when I had finished my shopping and was walking out to my truck. He politely asked me WHY I was parked in a handicap spot... then I pulled up my pant leg and showed him my Artificial Leg. No further discussion needed. I was glad he was doing his job checking folks in the handicap spots, because they do get abused.

Wearing shorts, I never get a rude comment or glare from anyone. Just the inquisitive and curious looks to my leg. The kids are my BEST audience! Love them! I have a good sense of humor, so I can joke about my leg. It's definitely a "good" conversation starter at times.

Yes, people are rude that have no inclination as to the unseen disablities people have. I've come to the realization that's just how some people are in this society. Rude, Selfish, and not very Sympathetic.

After all these years, I don't take it personally, I just go about my business at hand; and when I see another person, especially a person with an artificial limb, I make it a point to interact with them; because, at times they are so ignored due to the cosmetic flaw, and it just MAKES THEIR DAY! I do understand why most people care not to interact. They sometimes don't know how to respond or react without possibly offending the person. Which is a normal response.

In conclusion, this is the reason I ride my Spyder, and I am loving it!

BTW, @2dogs, thanks to your rear tire change Youtube Video, I was able to do my first rear Spyder tire a couple of years back.

 

[Snoking1127]

I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet and some day most likely I will have to get a handicap sticker, as it is slowly get worse. I tend to find a shopping cart in the park lot and use it to help me to not walk like a drunk. That is also why at 80 years old I ride a Spyder, as holding up a two wheeler is out of the question. At VA health clinics I see a lot of people with much worse issues. I am current appealing a denial of compensation for the PN. I believe it is a result of agent orange in SE Asia during the Vietnam War or trichlorethane we routinely used to clean electronic equipment.

 

[weeneil]

I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet and some day most likely I will have to get a handicap sticker, as it is slowly get worse. I tend to find a shopping cart in the park lot and use it to help me not walk like a drunk. That is also why at 80 years old I ride a Spyder, as holding up a two wheeler is out of the question. At VA health clinics I see a lot of people with much worse issues. I am current appealing a denial of compensation for the PN. I believe it is a result of agent orange in SE Asia during the Vietnam War or trichlorethane we routinely used to clean electronic equipment.

I myself am able bodied. When I bought my Spyder last September, my neighbours father, who has had mobility problems for many years, had a look at the trike and asked if I would take him on it someday. Today was the day, and with a borrowed crash helmet we set off at 11am this morning. After a 12 mile motorway jaunt, I pulled over to make sure he was ok. He was grinning like crazy (open face helmet with visor) and said "I have never been on any kind of motorcycle. This is fuckin awesome!" The guy is around 75. We got back to his home after a 50 mile run, he thanked me, and he wants to know when we will do it again. Great day, great result!

 

[Gwolf]

I don't have unseen disabilities. Mine are plain to see. One leg is amputated just below the knee and the knee joint is worn out in the other leg from walking on one leg for 45 years... I can walk a little with crutches to get from the the front of the truck to get around back of it to get the electric wheelchair out. The handicapped parking at the stores is almost always full up. I really don't mind if grandma parks in the handicap spots and uses a walker to get into the stores. I park farther away, because the electric wheelchair is no more effort for me than a distance half as far away. I usually don't park in the handicap spots even if they are empty. What is bad is when a car load of teenagers park grandma's car in the handicap spots and hang grandma's placard on the mirror, even though grandma is not in the car. Then they go running, skipping, and playing grab-ass to the store. If there is any such thing as Karma, 40 or 50 years from now the teenager's kids will put them into the same nursing home the cops who didn't enforce the handicap parking laws are in - then none of them will need any handicap placards. I guess being young and stupid is a handicap, and it will follow them where ever they go through life. None of my business, I carry my own electric wheel chair with me and have learned to push a grocery cart with my one foot on the back of the basket and one hand on the hand grip bar.

 

[Leaping1]

I am 78 and have a bad heart. I appear healthy but do have problems. I go until I feel tired and then I sit a spell. My RT has been a blessing to me because it makes me feel "normal". Thanks for sharing, because just because someone looks healthy, do not say anything about them being in a handicapped spot until you know more about them. But, if they park in a handicapped spot just to save a few steps then it's ok to hit them in the head with a baseball bat.