Disability Question-Handicap Parking

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carmick

New member
I got my parking pass when my PFTs were consistantly in the 30s and I had a hard time in the cold and/or humidity. I didn't quite reach the criteria all the time, but I was close enough that my doc signed off on it for my bad days with the agreement that I wouldn't abuse it. After all, walking is good exercise. I filled out the top half of the form and he filled out the bottom half and sent it in. While I used it pretty rarely then, as my CF has progressed I have been very happy to have it.

Here in CT, the CF-applicable guidelines for eligability are:
1. Use of portable oxygen
2. Inability to walk 200 ft without stopping
3. Restriction because of lung disease to such an extent that forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty mm/hg of room air at rest.
 
D

dbtoo

New member
download the form from your state department of transportation website, take it to your doctor. If they are willing, they can fill it out and you can get a hanger.
 
D

dbtoo

New member
download the form from your state department of transportation website, take it to your doctor. If they are willing, they can fill it out and you can get a hanger.
 
D

dbtoo

New member
download the form from your state department of transportation website, take it to your doctor. If they are willing, they can fill it out and you can get a hanger.
 
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serendipity730

New member
<P>Hi!</P>
<P></P>
<P>I've had one since college (~10 yrs). My lung function is good (70%), but like others said, it's good in the winter. Honestly, I rarely use it, because I hate the nasty looks I get. One time, at a restaurant, two older men were talking about how I parked in a handicapped space. My mom got right up in their faces and said "She has cystic fibrosis. The life expectancy is 35." It was pretty awesome! Anyway, I've had a number of incidents like that, so unless I feel like I need it, I don't use it!</P>
 
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serendipity730

New member
<P>Hi!</P>
<P></P>
<P>I've had one since college (~10 yrs). My lung function is good (70%), but like others said, it's good in the winter. Honestly, I rarely use it, because I hate the nasty looks I get. One time, at a restaurant, two older men were talking about how I parked in a handicapped space. My mom got right up in their faces and said "She has cystic fibrosis. The life expectancy is 35." It was pretty awesome! Anyway, I've had a number of incidents like that, so unless I feel like I need it, I don't use it!</P>
 
S

serendipity730

New member
<P>Hi!</P>
<P></P>
<P>I've had one since college (~10 yrs). My lung function is good (70%), but like others said, it's good in the winter. Honestly, I rarely use it, because I hate the nasty looks I get. One time, at a restaurant, two older men were talking about how I parked in a handicapped space. My mom got right up in their faces and said "She has cystic fibrosis. The life expectancy is 35." It was pretty awesome! Anyway, I've had a number of incidents like that, so unless I feel like I need it, I don't use it!</P>
 
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musclemania70

New member
I have one but only use it in the winter.
Except on the rare occasion in the summer we go to a big event and then i use it to make my life easy and don't think twice about it!
 
M

musclemania70

New member
I have one but only use it in the winter.
Except on the rare occasion in the summer we go to a big event and then i use it to make my life easy and don't think twice about it!
 
M

musclemania70

New member
I have one but only use it in the winter.
Except on the rare occasion in the summer we go to a big event and then i use it to make my life easy and don't think twice about it!
 
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vivsmom

New member
My CF team recommended that I get a handicap pass as well as my husband. I finally gave in. I use it when I cannot find a close parking space during bad weather or I am not feeling well. I don't abuse it and usually park in the regular spaces to get the exercise. I haven't gotten nasty looks...yet. It has come in very handy and I don't regret getting it.
 
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vivsmom

New member
My CF team recommended that I get a handicap pass as well as my husband. I finally gave in. I use it when I cannot find a close parking space during bad weather or I am not feeling well. I don't abuse it and usually park in the regular spaces to get the exercise. I haven't gotten nasty looks...yet. It has come in very handy and I don't regret getting it.
 
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vivsmom

New member
My CF team recommended that I get a handicap pass as well as my husband. I finally gave in. I use it when I cannot find a close parking space during bad weather or I am not feeling well. I don't abuse it and usually park in the regular spaces to get the exercise. I haven't gotten nasty looks...yet. It has come in very handy and I don't regret getting it.
 
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phutton

New member
The reason I ask is I downloaded the form and filled it out. I talked to the social worker about it and she made it sound like not a big deal. So I gave the form to my dr and he said he refused to sign it.
My PFT's are in the 70's, I spent most of last year in/out of the hospital. I didn't ask for it year round I just need it for the winter months because it is hard for me to walk from my car to a building without coughing to the point of being sick. He told me to just wear a scarf. I told him I always do. He said just because you get cold in the winter it isn't enough reason to get a pass. He said, we all get cold in the winter. So I tried to provide examples, all the examples he responded with so you got bad parking.
I was completely in aw. I didn't know what to say! He is my primary dr and that is his response. I am not the type of person who asks for a reason not to do something. I have never asked for a dr's excuse to get out of anything. I do not want to see him as a dr anymore because he obviously doesn't know me or have my best interest at heart! I am debating going to another dr.
 
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phutton

New member
The reason I ask is I downloaded the form and filled it out. I talked to the social worker about it and she made it sound like not a big deal. So I gave the form to my dr and he said he refused to sign it.
My PFT's are in the 70's, I spent most of last year in/out of the hospital. I didn't ask for it year round I just need it for the winter months because it is hard for me to walk from my car to a building without coughing to the point of being sick. He told me to just wear a scarf. I told him I always do. He said just because you get cold in the winter it isn't enough reason to get a pass. He said, we all get cold in the winter. So I tried to provide examples, all the examples he responded with so you got bad parking.
I was completely in aw. I didn't know what to say! He is my primary dr and that is his response. I am not the type of person who asks for a reason not to do something. I have never asked for a dr's excuse to get out of anything. I do not want to see him as a dr anymore because he obviously doesn't know me or have my best interest at heart! I am debating going to another dr.
 
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phutton

New member
The reason I ask is I downloaded the form and filled it out. I talked to the social worker about it and she made it sound like not a big deal. So I gave the form to my dr and he said he refused to sign it.
My PFT's are in the 70's, I spent most of last year in/out of the hospital. I didn't ask for it year round I just need it for the winter months because it is hard for me to walk from my car to a building without coughing to the point of being sick. He told me to just wear a scarf. I told him I always do. He said just because you get cold in the winter it isn't enough reason to get a pass. He said, we all get cold in the winter. So I tried to provide examples, all the examples he responded with so you got bad parking.
I was completely in aw. I didn't know what to say! He is my primary dr and that is his response. I am not the type of person who asks for a reason not to do something. I have never asked for a dr's excuse to get out of anything. I do not want to see him as a dr anymore because he obviously doesn't know me or have my best interest at heart! I am debating going to another dr.
 
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Incomudrox

New member
However it is difficult in the winter, but even when I was in the 50-60% FEV1 I got, a response of year right, you aren't on oxygen suck it up and walk. I do agree with this however because then I was just trying to get one because. Now I actually need it. I'd say in the 70% that yeah it sucks but it's not that bad.

I'd kill to have 70 back i'd walk the length of 10 parking lots everyday just to have 70. I have been there coughing until you puke from the cold, done it many times actually even when I was in the 80s. Trust me when I say I'm not trying to be mean but I (NOW not at the time) see why the doctor said "no way man".

After a while what I did was just found ways to cope with the cold, I learned to manage it actually. Before I quit working I worked for Sears Autocenter in Pittsbugh, where in the winter in Pittsburgh it's very cold in the winter starting in about October. I'd have to get up early drive to work in the cold (my car had no heat sometimes) 30min, once I remember looking at the temp gauge for outside temp it said -7* and I was driving to work with no heat. Once getting to work it was a constant inside to 75* and then back out into the cold to record mileage, license plate numbers, VIN numbers, and tire wear off of every customers car. I did this in and out every 5min for 8-15 hour shifts some days. I remember black Fridays and around Christmas walking out to cars in 2ft of snow feet freezing. I somehow adapted to it. I think most people with CF would agree that its more problem-some going from Cold and dry to a warm and humid or warm and dry climate constantly. Learning breathe control was a huge part of it, and controlling my reaction for me it was mind over matter to control the cough. I did this for two years below 50% FEV1. I won't lie yeah there were days where I had issues more than others but I only recently got my parking pass in the last 2 months.

Whatever you choose to do is your choice no doubt, I hope that whatever way you go it is successful for you be it learning control skills or finding a doctor that will see your way. I hope I don't come across as a jerk. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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