Jim, I’m sorry that you came to us in such pain. Be it physical, psychological, or spiritual I hope you find a site, or better yet, some real-life support, to pull you through. Wishing you the best on your quest for peace.

I also alluded to the fact that I have physical disabilities unrelated to my BIID. Yes, I absolutely DO understand what it’s like to have an unwanted disability that prevents me from doing things I used to enjoy, and that prevents me from doing normal every day tasks that able bodied people may take for granted.

Do I understand correctly that you are asserting that neurological conditions are not legitimate disabilities?

I guess you’re correct, I don’t understand you’re condition. Thats because it makes no sense and you seem intelligent enough to stand back and say “What the fuck am I thinking?” to yourself and move on.

The drill would work and as long as you didn’t snitch no one would be prosecuted. Do it.

“and parking in a regular space would have meant some uphill wheeling” Welcome to paraplegia reality Chloe. What gives you the right to take those spaces from legitimate persons with disabilities? Here’s a thought, WALK up hill. True paraplegics don’t have that choice.

I make the choice regarding which kind of parking to use on an individual basis each and every time. It depends on multiple factors. However, I’ve done it enough by now that the decision is made almost instantaneously with very little brain power.

Today there was an extra little twist in that I was taking a rather new friend to a physician appointment, on account of the car crash she’d had earlier in the week. She has physical impairments from birth, and it did cross my mind that she might have an opinion on my use of parking spaces because of that (though she’s not a wheelchair user). She knows all about my BIID. I decided to do what I would normally do, without being concerned what she might think.

There were only two disability parking spots at the physician’s office, neither of which were in use. I felt that it was quite possible that more than one other person might arrive while we were there, needing such a spot. Moreover, the space next to one of them had more room on the driver’s side in any case, making it easier for me.

I was surprised that there was really no provision to park a wheelchair inside the waiting room. I did my best to keep out of people’s way. As we were leaving, another woman in a wheelchair came in. We escaped the situation of there being two wheelchairs in there together by just a few seconds. It would have been quite tricky!

After my friend’s appointment, we went out to lunch. There were plenty of disability parking spots at the restaurant, none in use; it was towards the end of lunchtime; and parking in a regular space would have meant some uphill wheeling. In this case I took a disability spot. I felt very confident that I would not be taking anything away from somebody with greater need.

My friend made no comment about my parking in either case, so I brought up the issue with her after lunch. Her attitude is that I need to do whatever I need to do to handle my BIID; end of story.

@L. I think you have it exactly right about a neurological condition. I know my GP recognises that; though it is possible that her decision to sign off on my permit may have been influenced by my physical stuff too.

Claire has expressed our situation rather beautifully: “I don’t pretend to be, but AM, truly, someone who has a neurological condition that makes walking difficult.”

A drill would provide more control. But it would also damage the spinal arteries. Bleeding out is not something you want, even if you’re close to a trauma centre. And there’s still the issue of legal prosecution against whomever assists.

I *did* attempt paralysis once, tried to break my back. It didn’t work. It is not that easy. Trust me, if it was that straight forward I would have done it several years ago.

Why do you think wrist-slitting is a preferred suicide method? The hand isn’t a vital organ. But a slashed artery would lead to death.

Seriously… Pick up a biology textbook or something.

So basically, to suggest such a thing would be to suggest involuntary manslaughter which, by your attitude, seems perfectly reasonable.

Who’s the irrational one now?

There is, in fact, no surgeons to be found that will do it. Not that I have found after asking over 500 of them in Asia and South America. There are surgeons who will amputate, but not paralyse.

As for swinging an axe, yeah, it would paralyse us, and probably also kill us. You might think that would be a good outcome, getting rid of weirdos, but that’s not what we’re after.

As for the logistics of breaking your spine; a few simple swings of an axe will surely do the trick. Find one of your misunderstood friends and have them start swinging! You in turn can help them meet their goals as well, Paul Bunyan. I’m sure you can pay a doctor in a third world country to do it. Where there’s a will there’s a way. If not, then yes Sean, you are a sissy.

I ask again, why would you be emotionally shaken? LMAO .

As for “going to break my spine”, I wish that I could. I’ve spoken at length of the logistical difficulties of it. Not that I expect you to accept that.

Jim

Jim

BUT, when using a blue space I always make sure there are lots of others free around me.

Like Beth I have been to customer service to explain that I forgot my badge that I left in my partner’s car and I have sometimes placed a notice saying “badge pending”. Obviously that cannot go on for ever.

Qualifications for badges vary from country to country; I believe in the UK someone with an amputated little finger can obtain one. I am considering trying for a badge hoping that my now very visable dystonia will qualify in itself especially as it’s progressed to a leg. As GPs know almost as much about dystonia as they do BIID, I’m expecting to pass. But if I don’t I will still have to, on occasions, use a blue space but only if there are lots available.

My brain says I’m disabled so I must be, I have to be, I am!

I don’t how anyone has managed to get a badge openly with BIID alone. That would never happen in the UK, at least not as things stand.

Strangely, in the two weeks or so when my mobility was limited, I only needed to use the brown badge once. Other times I found a place close enough.

Of course, being on crutches is not the same as hauling a chair out of the car.

I don’t have a BB (I am considering talking to the doctor about getting one) and would never park in a BB space without a badge.

I did it once at a supermarket, just parked up then went to customer service on the way in and appologised for not having my badge with me, they wrote down my numberplate and passed it on to security. Besides the hassle of speaking to them about the car before I went shopping I didn’t like leaving the car there without a badge. I complain/feel aggrieved when others do that so why was I any better, even when I was there in my wheelchair. I won’t do it again.

I think people with BIID, with a mobility-affecting manifestation, have as much need for a BB as many people with other disabilities who do have legitimate badges. But for those of us without badges, we need to go through the proper channels to get a legitimate badge before we use the spaces.