[Dixielandjazz] (no subject) handicapped

[DWSI at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/14/2006 10:34:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
dixielandjazz-request at ml.islandnet.com writes:

Those of  us who are handicapped have all learned a life of patience. We ask
you to  be patient too.

Mart
 
Thank you Mart for an injection of common sense in this strangely unwinding  
thread. If I read some of the comments correctly, (please correct me if I'm  
not), some people seem to think that (a) you don't deserve a HC tag unless you  
require a wheelchair, (or the equivalent), (b) play the sport at which the HC 
 parking stalls are placed, (e.g., if you're in a wheelchair, how can you 
play  tennis?), or (c) that there are too many HC stalls and their placement 
doesn't  make sense. 
 
The state law provides the basic rules for the allocation of HC  stalls, (and 
the basic HC ID that each legitimate handicapped person must carry,  in 
addition to a license plate or hangtag), the local, (usually municipal),  
government defines the exact number and location. 
Defining HC spaces is not based on some "common sense" rule-of-thumb, and  it 
is indeed fortunate that it is not. All you need do is to reread the above  
assumptions to verify the obvious lack of knowledge surrounding the use of HC  
tags and spaces.
 
Handicapped is a classification defined by a doctor, (who must sign a  
certificate in the state of New Jersey, at least). That certificate is submitted  to 
the MVD at the state level and the licencseplate, or tag, and necessary  
personal ID card are issued directly to the HC individual. It took  awhile for 
mine to be come. I have progressive emphysema. I can walk when I  can breathe, 
but I do not need or use a wheelchair, walker or cane.  However, when an 
infection, or sudden exertion, lowers my B/O level  below 87% I cannot do 
much--except struggle to get to an ER ASAP. Emphysema  is the fourth highest killer in 
the U.S. Part of the risk is lack of ability to  remove CO2 fast enough--causing 
a collapse of the right side of the  heart. How much more would you like to 
hear about non-wheelchair need for  HC parking? I have to walk slowly 
sometimes. Sometimes I must carry portable  oxygen. At those times It helps a lot not 
to have to walk further than  necessary. Am I boring everyone with all this 
detail? Sorry. I just wanted to  clarify a few, apparent misunderstandings about 
HC. Yes, some  people do misuse the HC spaces, but I've found a surprisingly 
large number  of solid citizens not abuse the spaces just because they can. 
Thank God for  them! They can literally save a life in some instances.

For what this is worth,

Dan (backup piano)  Spink