Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Disability Driver's Permit

Hi All,

I finally asked my doc for a disability driver's permit. I don't feel very happy that I got it so easily. I feel strange to use it. My feet and ankles really hurt and my hips are flared, but I still don't want to give . I am just wondering if other folks have the same feelings.

Hugs,
Janet

hi janet,

please no guilt! you deserve it!

i struggled for so many years. walked much too far when i barely could. i should have asked for one much sooner.

it took a year for a tendon/ligament tear to heal (where the IT and TFL bands attach to the trochanter) because i had to walk a quarter to half mile every day from the parking lot into my building. it would start to settle down over a weekend, and by the end of the week, it would be so flared again. would have healed much sooner otherwise.

other times, the PF was so bad, i'd ice my feet before i went home, just so i could make it out to my car.

still, finding handicapped parking near my building is next to impossible, but instead of being up to a half mile away, i'm not within a quarter mile of my building. every little bit helps.

i rarely use it other places where the non-handicapped spaces are right next to the handicapped ones, then i leave it for others most days.

but work, or i should say getting to and from work every day, was just destroying my body.

and if i'm in bad shape when i have to go to the doctors or somewhere, i do use it. but if i'm that bad, i really don't go anywhere besides work or doctors.

a lot of times, its just nice to know its there when i need it. and since flares are so unpredictable...........

and then, one might feel fine when they go into a store, work etc, but after being on one's feet for awhile, can barely hobble back to the car.

i too was amazed how easily i got it when i finally got up the courage to ask for it. had always thought it was for people in wheelchairs, with walkers, etc. never really thought it was for people like me, who can walk, just with a lot of pain at times. i know better now.

glad you have one now as well!

Its getting a whole lot harder in the UK to get the permits now. Used to be you could either get it from having the high level mobility component of disabled living allowance, or with a fairly simple doctor certificate. Now if you don't have the DLA you have to fill in a form that is every bit as complex as the DLA form (something like 20 pages long). I just had to help an older woman I know with the form, and it was a nightmare. She was almost going to give up on it. DLA is also getting a whole lot harder to get, and the way the questions are written its incredibly easy to put a couple of wrong words and have the whole thing misinterpreted as not having enough problems. I know they have to clamp down on fraud, but its got really ridiculous now, and so many people just are giving up applying, or not appealing if they get turned down.

Im assuming we are talking about the handicap card? If we are...NOPE no regrets at all I know I dont look sick but it hurts to walk and it just makes it so much easier to get from point A to point B.

It was super easy to get my Doc knowing the circumstamces he filled out the one page sheet and sent it in.

Lisa

Hi Janet

I felt that way when I first used mine but it has really helped since I have trouble walking with sore, stiff ankles. I always tell myself I don't have to park there if I don't feel the need. I remember not having the card and having to park in the last stall in a row to go grocery shopping on a really bad day. I had trouble just getting to the door. Really glad I have the option to use it now. No regrets. Hope you use it and enjoy less pain.

Hi
I used it twice yesterday, and was very glad I had it. Still feels strange, thought I would never get one. I like many others think it is for people in wheelchairs or canes.

Janet

Use it and try not to feel guilty....especially if you get the evil eye from others around you.

We have one because my husband had total hip replacement. He hops out of the car as if all is well, while I on the other hand hobble out..it takes a bit to get the kinks out, but I'm 52 and he's 57...we do get some evil eye at times.

Hi

Yesterday I felt like I should have been limping or something. I have taken pride over the 20 years I have had this not to limp. I do remember when I was working as a nurse and I would be limping at the end of a 12 hour shift. That was when I was in my 20's and so many people would say"you look so good". I know we all have experienced that.

Hugs,
Janet

I had a hard time emotionally needing a handicap placard and only being 20 years old. The first couple times I opted for the temporary handicap placard because I couldn't accept considering myself "permanently" disabled.
Having the placard though has been a big help. I am more willing to go places because I'm not as concerned about how far away I have to park and it also means I'm not wiped out just getting there.
We have to put up with so much pain with AS, it's nice to get a little special treatment. :-)

Definitely don't feel guilty about it. The thing is that you don't have to use it every time - just when you need it. Its your "insurance" for those bad days, or when you need to keep your energy up and not walk too far.