Handicap parking problems

To: mcutler@newschannel5.com Hi, It's been brought to my attention that you've been running a spot catching handicap placard abusers on video. As the president of the Boston Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, I applaud your efforts to bring attention to a serious problem that can make life more difficult for people with disabilities. I feel I must also comment on your methods which may result in having the opposite effect. Not all disabilities that impact a person's ability to get around are immediately visible, nor would that person want to go on record on television as having that disability. E.g. multiple sclerosis can cause severe weakness and fatigue in affected individuals and they may appear completely healthy when getting out of a car and walking the short distance to the car. But it might be very difficult or painful for them to walk any distance beyond that, necessitating the need for special parking. When confronted by a reporter, they may not wish to admit to the camera that they have multiple sclerosis. Please consider this when spreading the stereotype that all handicapped people have visible problems walking. It's traumatic enough to be accosted regularly when validly parking in handicap spots without having to be put on television. You can see the comments from some others on our public forum that brought this to my attention. Regards, Art Mellor President, Boston Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis

I have MS and have a handicap parking permit which I try not to use unless at last resort which means my legs have to be in pain or not cooperating. I donot like adding attention to myself but when I get out of the car in a suit I always get a "Look". A few times I've been harassed and twice it got so bad that I felt my life was at wrisk. I'm a non-confrontational person, very positive and emotionally strong. After these incidents I realize there is such a need to educate the community about MS but also a need to change the look and verbiage of the parking permit. There is a permit for women with baby carriers and our permit is for the "diabled" with a picture of a wheelchair. There are many people challenged with long distance walking because of their heart, respiartory, vision, neurological problems etc... but they donot utilize a wheelcahir to get around. We use our legs and would like to for as long as we could and the illness will allow. Why not create a permit with a person walking and it to read "Person with difficulty walking long distance" If you have any ideas on the look or phrase to be used on the permit please email me at VCEE99@bellsouth.net