Allen,   
      
   AP>My disability is hidden it's called Myasthenia Gravis and it's a true   
   AP>fatiguing disability.  I don't use a walker or a wheelchair but   
   AP>definately scope a shopping cart to take in.  Occsionally I have to use   
   AP>the riding chair.  I know my day is coming though and seeing my friend   
   AP>go through what she has to go through.  It's bad enough that she has her   
   AP>disability but people have little regard for her ramp.   
      
     Those who are NOT disabled, think those of us who are on disability   
   "have it easy" (getting paid for no work). I know several disabled   
   individuals who have regular jobs...but the majority are in such pain   
   from their conditions, that they can't work...and that is a much higher   
   price to pay.   
      
   AP>Going anywhere is still a challenge to her when her van would equalize   
   AP>her experience if people would respect it.   
      
     Even though I'm fully disabled, and have both a handicapped hang-tag   
   and license plate, if I note a space noted for "van accessible", I will   
   try to leave that one for these vans...unless I myself am in moderate to   
   severe pain myself that day, and it's agony to just move. One day, I had   
   great difficulty just getting my left foot in the car, due to severe   
   arthritis causing bone spurs on my hips. I know I'll eventually have to   
   undergo surgery, but I'm putting that off as long as I can.   
      
   AP>There's a movement out there when people are a--holes like this that   
   AP>they put a sign on the window of the car saying "I have no respect for   
   AP>the disabled."  Or worse, "I have a disabiled sticker/tag and I don't   
   AP>play by the rules" in smaller print it trys to educate about ramps and   
   AP>etc.   
      
     That reminds me of a commercial and a joke. On the commercial, this   
   guy is going to park in a disabled spot at the restaurant, because he   
   just needs to go use the restroom. No handicapped hang tag, license   
   plate, etc. The woman in the car warns him that he'll get a ticket if he   
   parks there without a permit, and he tells her off, and goes inside.   
   Well, he's inside longer than expected, and sure enough, a police   
   officer shows up, and immediately writes a ticket. The guy is furious   
   when he comes out, and the woman says "I tried to warn you".   
      
     On the joke, this guy in a wheelchair notes the cop ticketing this   
   van parked in the disabled space. He says to the officer "C'mon, give me   
   a break". The cop keeps writing, so the guy in the wheelchair starts   
   berating the cop...and the cop keeps writing tickets, then finally   
   leaves.   
      
     The guy in the wheelchair smugly chuckles "That felt so good...giving   
   a vehicle with no indications of disability (hang tag or license plate)   
   what the owner deserves"!! :)   
      
   AP>I can also say with full authority that 75% of the people who park with   
   AP>the mirror hang tags have other disabled family members who are not with   
   AP>them and they still park in the disabled spaces.   
      
     I believe it. Even though my late wife was disabled, I would tell her   
   that "there are some people who are in far worse shape than both of us".   
      
   AP>I am, and always have been, of the mindset if I don't need it this day   
   AP>don't use it.  Most of the summer so far has been very mild... I haven't   
   AP>needed it.  Today it's 87 and I'm in severe respiratory distress... I   
   AP>will use it today.   
      
     I have chronic sinus issues, and go through the Mentho-Lyptus cough   
   drops like candy. But, I can't get rid of the tickle in the throat, and   
   they can't do nothing about the sinuses.   
      
   AP>Thanks Daryl for sharing it helps to know how others are going through   
   AP>things.  I am fortunate to hang on to my home for now.  I'm barely   
   AP>making it, and won't go into disabled housing in Louisville.  I will   
   AP>have to move to a very high crime area.  I have previously worked, i   
   AP>have nice things and to darling kitties.   
      
     We are a support group to each other. On another topic, for people   
   that hate talking about colonoscopies, I'm a big proponent on preventing   
   colon cancer. They've found polyps in me 3 times, but no cancer. Sadly,   
   I've heard too many stories of folks who waited too long to go to the   
   doctor (when you are feeling well is the BEST time to go)...because when   
      
   (Continued to next message)   
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