Member-only story
I Need to Stop Caring About What People Think
They don’t pay my bills.
As I sit in my car in the parking lot of my work, I can’t help but notice people entering and leaving the store. When they walk by, they look at me then pass judgment. At least, that’s how I feel when I see them looking at where I parked.
A few months ago, my doctor filled out a form for me to receive a handicap parking permit. I have a physical disability that warrants a handicap parking permit; however, you wouldn’t know that by looking at me.
Not All Disabilities Are Visible.
I have peripheral neuropathy, which is an invisible nerve disorder that affects my hands and feet; however, the neuropathy is much worse in my feet.
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that results from damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves).
And according to the Mayo Clinic, it often causes weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands and feet, but can also affect other body areas.
I developed neuropathy after bunion removal surgery on my feet back in 2006. The surgery caused a neuroma to form in both feet, then had them surgically removed in 2012.
Sadly, the damage to my feet didn’t stop there. In 2016, I went into septic shock, which caused my hands and feet to become gangrene.
This trauma has left me with an incredible amount of pain in my feet that I experience every day.
Most people believe all disabilities are visible and haven’t realized that is not the case. They think that if your disability is not visible, you don’t have a disability.
Therefore you shouldn’t be parking in a handicapped parking stall even though you were given that parking permit from your doctor, who states that you need one.
