In 1992 I began to suffer severe foot and leg cramps. One day I had an “attack” in my left foot.  It felt like an electrical-zapping sensation. I was screaming.  Suddenly my left foot was very heavy and my left leg weak. The next day I noticed muscle twitches, jerking movements at night, severe muscle pain, cold feet and legs, and extreme fatigue when standing or walking for more than a few minutes. I have seen numerous specialists over the years and have had many therapies and tests. To this day, doctors disagree as to what really happened. Some theories are back problems, fibromyalgia, something similar to multiple sclerosis, or neuropathy. I also have a bladder disease called Interstitial Cystitis. That disease causes urinary frequency in me - up to 60x a day and is invisible to others. I began to realize the fatigue I was feeling was also invisible to others. I couldn’t believe I now had another invisible illness to deal with!  I also developed ovarian cancer which sometimes left me with fatigue when walking after chemotherapy. This too, was invisible to others! I became depressed when someone yelled at me when I took the handicapped parking space. I found this so hurtful inside because I did not always use the space. I only used it on days that I felt really bad. I began to see it didn’t matter what my problem was - cancer, interstitial cystitis, neurological, etc. If people could not “see” the problem, they just did not understand. I did have five foot surgeries and was on crutches. I got LOTS of support with that because it was visible to others. 

Aside from the invisible limitations, I also noticed many of the obstacles I mentioned in the previous page, and decided it was time to spread awareness. I did write to local lot owners. Most responded quickly by making their lots legally accessible for handicapped parking. I also encouraged local newspapers and t.v. shows to cover this topic. I wrote newspaper editorials on it. I contacted a local supermarket about their “customer with infant” parking. They did respond saying they would review the situation. I called the Police department on a car at a local library that I noticed repeatedly violated the handicapped parking space. I also posted flyers in colleges, supermarkets, stores, town halls, and senior centers. Again, I suggest asking the facility if it is o.k. that you post notices. I personally confronted people who did not have a handicapped permit. I would first ask them if they had a walking impairment, thinking perhaps they were waiting for their sticker. If they said no, I would tactfully tell them I did not think they should be using the space. I would like to again stress the importance of being tactful if you do confront someone you think is violating the space. Some people have responded nicely to me, yet others have gotten quite mad. You must be careful for your own safety. Please also remember some have walking impairments that are invisible.

I thank you for reading this site and hope that I have encouraged you to educate the public on these issues of handicapped parking.