Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Really Cool Parking Pass


I did something today that I have been putting off for quite a while...I picked up Handicapped Parking Placards for our cars.  I just didn't want to do it...I just kept thinking that we would never really need these...that is was all just a really bad dream and one morning Grace would walk, unassisted, into the breakfast room and ask for bacon (she loves bacon) and life would be normal.  There would be no walkers, AFOS, standers or other special equipment and Grace would play "Ring Around The Rosy" without someone holding her up and doing the walking for her.

I know that this placard in our car will make things easier.  Especially when I have all three of the kids and have to get them all and Grace's walker to our destination.  I know this is what we/Grace needs but I'm going to call it our "Special Parking Pass for Really Cool Kids" because you see...that is really what it is for.

8 comments:

Erin said...

I totally get this. Our developmental ped offered to do the paperwork last year (when Fletcher was less than one year old and still in his infant bucket car seat) and I declined because I certainly didn't need it then, since he was only 17 lbs, and I was hoping against reality that we wouldn't need one, even though it was more than obvious that we would.

Of all things, I don't know why this little one is so psychologically difficult, but it is, at least for me.

Tammy Howard said...

Really cool parent pass!

BusyLizzyMom said...

Yeah we have one of those passes too. It was a hard thing for me to do and what really did me in was her PT had filled it out as life long impairment. I do have to say it really comes in handy at busy malls and Costco. I find it difficult to carry anything when Elizabeth is with me so when I have bags in hand and an Elizabeth with her tired jello legs I don't have to trek through a big parking lot. Beware the stares will be many. I now reply to the question 'did you not notice you parked in a wheelchair spot?' with 'did you not notice I have a wheelchair pass?'. They usually leave me alone at that.
Her dad hides it as soon as he gets in my car but she is not 25% of his body weight either.
It does make things easier but it still hurts the same.

CP and Me said...

We're part of the same exclusive cool kid/cool parent parking pass club. I avoided doing it like the plague but I've tried to see the positive in it: that it makes it easier for me to give Hannah more independence (I don't think twice about bringing her walker someplace when I know I can park close) But like Angi said, I get all kinds of stares from people who check me out and don't see anything wrong with me.

CP and Me said...

We're part of the same exclusive cool kid/cool parent parking pass club. I avoided doing it like the plague but I've tried to see the positive in it: that it makes it easier for me to give Hannah more independence (I don't think twice about bringing her walker someplace when I know I can park close) But like Angi said, I get all kinds of stares from people who check me out and don't see anything wrong with me.

CP and Me said...

We're part of the same exclusive cool kid/cool parent parking pass club. I avoided doing it like the plague but I've tried to see the positive in it: that it makes it easier for me to give Hannah more independence (I don't think twice about bringing her walker someplace when I know I can park close) But like Angi said, I get all kinds of stares from people who check me out and don't see anything wrong with me.

Anonymous said...

My kind call it an "energy conservation technique".
You'll be glad you did.
Barbara

Justinich Family said...

We have one too, and it does come in handy, especially when I am using Evan's wheelchair because it just gives that extra room that other spots do not have. I know it is hard to accept this but we/our kids need and deserve this little perk for all we have to go through.