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Be more compassionate, and stop judging

I am writing in response to the April 23 letter, “Disability may not be visible”

I am writing in response to the April 23 letter, “Disability may not be visible”

I must say that I was angered when I read this letter, as I too have a disability that may not be visible to others.

I have arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, tendinitis in most of my joints, glaucoma, and diseased bladder that I have surgery on every four to five months, for the past 10 years.

I get injections  in my joints for my pain every three months by a specialist, also for the past 10 years.

These are some of my disabilities. I have good days and bad days. I cannot carry grocery bags  for any length of time.

I too, have been yelled at, called a cheat , a liar, sworn at. I have been blocked in my parking spot so I could not move.

Once I pulled into a spot and I had not even gotten out of my car, when an old man pounded on my window, scaring me half to death, yelling at me, continuing to pound on my window, using the “f” word at me. I thought the older generation had more class than that.

All because I don’t look like I have a disability. How dare you!

Do all of you people understand that you have to apply for a permit, you have to qualify. Your disability has to be severe enough.

You and your physician have to fill out forms – your doctor has to be honest.

When I read the article in response, at first it sounded OK, right up until this person said, “A person who is still ambulatory no matter the difficulty, should never take a wheelchair space unless there are several more.”

Who gives you the right to say who should use a parking space, depending on the severity of the disability?

No parent should have to carry their child who has a disability – how cruel of a statement.

You are acting worse than the offenders who bully us people who have permits.

You should give these parents and child a break.

It must be hard enough caring for a child with muscular dystrophy,  and for the child who is living with the disability of this horrible disease, which one day, probably will put him in a chair.

This boy is trying to keep his independence as long as he can.

Your response is to take it away.

Or is it that your husband’s disability, in your opinion, is far more severe and everyone should move out of the way for you, even if one has a permit? I don’t think so!

Sorry to tell you, lady, your husband isn’t the only person in this world who is disabled.

Maybe you should consider being more compassionate to others, and stop judging!

 

D.Salter