Last week, I went to the DMV and picked up our Permanent Disabled Parking ID tags.
It was not really a happy day.
We were given reason to believe, when Peanut was a newborn, that we wouldn't need them. We've known for a while it would be necessary after all, but it was something else to actually hand the forms over and say, "It's for my daughter" when asked who it was for.
I know, I know, I should be used to it by now. But I still find that I have to steel myself and take a deep breath before I say "My daughter is disabled". I guess it's because most of the time, it's not something I think about. Dealing with and adapting to her limitations has become so much a part of our lives that it always comes as a shock to actually use that word.
We actually used the card at one of the malls this weekend, when we went to get family portraits done. Of course, we did it so late because we've all been sick and now it's too late to get the photos before Christmas, but whatever. Anyway, it was very useful because Peanut now wants to walk from the car into the store and back. She hasn't gotten the idea that she can't just stop in the middle of the traffic lane and look around, though, so we're working on that.
From this trip, I got to make my first complaint regarding accessibility. You see, the disabled spots where we parked were not accompanied by a curb-cut to the sidewalk. This meant that Peanut either had to get picked up to get over the curb, or she needed to walk into the parking lot from between two cars in order to get to the crosswalk over to the mall. This is a remarkably stupid bit of planning. The mall is currently under construction, so I took a few minutes today and called the general manager. She was very pleasant, and said she'd noticed the same thing and would definitely pass along this request to the people in charge of such things.
I'm still new at this, so I have some actual hope that it will work.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
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4 comments:
I hope it'll work, too.
Have you had any recent news about the clinic?
Yay fighting inaccessibility!
As an adult with a disability, I am content & happy as I am, and can report that (although there is inaccessibility & discrimination & frustration aplenty) life is wonderful, full of pleasures and opportunity. I can't even imagine how hard it must be to accept that Peanut is still disabled, but I hope that she's able to gain as much function as possible. I know that, whatever happens, she will continue to be your pride & joy, and to be a happy kid.
It's tough to accept, but at least you'll get some ease of life out of them. (Unless you're like stupid me, who can tend to leave the placard in the glove compartment, park 8 miles away in the boonies, and THEN realize I could have used the handicapped spaces.)
If your state is anything like MA, you'll continue to find the handicapped parking situation is less than ideal. Many of my son's doctor's offices have one or two spots (hi? MEDICAL OFFICES don't need more than 2 handicapped spaces???) and even when places have them, they can be almost useless. Many have no curb cuts, as you explained, or are miles from the entrance just so they can be near an existing curb cut.
I have to say though, I admire Peanut. Here's hoping we can all stop and watch the traffic once in a while.
You'll get used to it! It's great that she's wanting to walk more and more! Woo hoo!
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