Gentrygirl
New member
It seems that the general public doesn't know what CF is, so the blank stare and an "Oh." is what you'll most likely hear. We have 2 disabilities in our household- my son has CF, and my husband lost his hearing; one ear in the Marines, one to a brain tumor. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> One of my husband's biggest joys is running with his dog, who lets him know when people are coming or talking to him from behind (that's kind of her only skill other than fun tricks). Because of that, she is a service dog (not a really good one, but she falls in the parameters and gives him comfort, which goes a long way when you have disabilities- we're okay with stretching those parameters, we've not had the best of luck with health in our household). The trail we run on goes around a beautiful public park across the street, and the trail does not allow dogs. Except for service dogs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Almost every time we run, even though she has her service vest, someone says something about it. Luckily, he can't hear it, but it bothers me. One time, this crabby lady who happened to be standing next to the "No Dogs" sign said "He must be blind- can't he see that sign?!" I had to turn around and say it. "No, he's not blind, but he is deaf. He lost his hearing fighting for your freedom to behave badly, and that is his service dog." Getting to the end of this long story, I promise. So in looking up our rights under the ADA, we found that anyone preventing her from doing her job is breaking the law. For disabilities in general, the whole purpose of the ADA is that the members of the public with disabilities should be accommodated so that they can enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else, like going to the gym. The service dog help websites suggested that we offer as much information as politely as we can to people, including certification cards, etc. One helpful tip (FINALLY THERE) was to have business card sized cards printed that explained the situation, so you can fully inform them without a conversation. That would be for whatever information they need (as a disabled person I am evoking my rights under the ADA to be accompanied by my service dog in public areas), (I have a chronic, incurable, non-contagious disease that makes me cough. As this disease is non-contagious, I am of no danger to the public health. The ADA allows me to enjoy areas that the public enjoys, without exclusion, segregation, or unequal treatment). You can even add the number for the ADA hotline for questions. They really are interfering with your right to enjoy that facility. Beyond their being rude, you do have rights. I didn't look into it, but I would think that along the same lines as the service dog issue, if they interfere with your enjoyment of equal access, they can be fined up to $55,000 for their first violation (should it go that far, which it won't likely). Stand your ground; don't be ashamed. You are doing what you need to do to make yourself healthy, and you owe it to yourself and the people that love you to continue to make yourself strong and healthy. Someone else's ignorance can't be allowed to be the thing that makes your life less enjoyable or that shortens your life, even by a day. Get strong, be strong! Good luck!