"Dan Abel" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Pennyaline > wrote:
>
>> Dan Abel wrote:
>> > In article >,
>> > Kathleen > wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >> And that's great. But not every pregnancy is easy. I had horrible
>> >> sciatica in the third trimester with both of my pregnancies. Walking
>> >> more than a few steps felt like having lightning run to ground through
>> >> my right leg. I mostly tried not to shop at all - my husband really
>> >> stepped up - but when I absolutely had to, I was incredibly grateful
>> >> for
>> >> things like preferential parking, and the option of having the bagger
>> >> at
>> >> the grocery store help me load my purchases into the van.
>> >
>> > That's why they have handicapped spots. Did you ask your doctor for a
>> > handicapped placard?
>>
>> Pregnancy isn't a disability unless there's a medical condition during
>> or related to it that doesn't allow the pregnant woman to work.
>> Pregnancy is a generally obvious condition with generally obvious
>> effects, the most obvious of which is the significant growth of a second
>> person inside the body of the first. There are both advantages and
>> disadvantages to that, and it is usually during the third trimester that
>> the disadvantages become the most pressing. I've always believed that
>> widely held beliefs and mythologies about pregnancy and childbirth would
>> vanish instantly if men were also expected to carry pregnancies
>> uncomplainingly to term.
>>
>> But seriously, Dan, you are either winding us up or the most unfeeling
>> person in the group.
>
> You've totally lost me there. I don't know the medical lingo, but
> here's what I read:
>
> "I had horrible sciatica...Walking more than a few steps felt like
> having lightning run to ground through my right leg"
>
> That sounds pretty disabled to me. Why shouldn't she get a handicapped
> placard, whether she is pregnant or not? If it is related to the
> pregnancy, which is sounds like it is, then it would seem that the
> doctor would make the eligibility for a limited period, assuming that
> the disability would go away once the pregnancy did.
>
> Why on earth would a disabled person not be eligible for a handicapped
> placard just because they were also pregnant?
>
>
Most doctors today will validate handicapped parking applications for a
hangnail, it's no skin off their nose and they don't want to get sued. But
you'd be amazed at how many who are eligible for handicapped parking who
won't avail themselves because they're embarrassed to park in those spots,
and don't want their friends, relatives, and/or neighbors to know. Some
will get the placards but rarely if ever use them and certtainly not where
there's a chance anyone who knows them or their vehicle might see. I know
quite a few people who golf who have serious medical problems but won't park
in the handicapped spots even though they're entitled... and parking space
at golf courses is at a premium but they'd rather park way out in the
boonies and walk like a quarter mile hauling all their gear rather than let
their league mates know they're handicapped... some are even too embarrassed
to take a cart, their egos won't permit it so they walk, I kid you not. I
know because I don't golf but I know these people otherwise, and I also get
to attend many of the celebratory golf functions as an invitee.