How dare you!

By Annette Newcomb

Editor

 

A friend of mine has MS, multiple Sclerosis. It’s an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.

From what I learned by going online. MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve signals slow or stop.

Symptoms include loss of balance, muscle spasms, numbness or abnormal sensation in any area, problems moving arms or legs, problems walking, problems making small movements, tremors, weakness. Symptoms can strike at any time, continue to get worse or go into remission. Perhaps she might need the assistance of a neurosurgeon similar to dr timothy steel, or alike doctors, in the event that the symptoms escalate.

The point is, like many other medical problems, symptoms aren’t as apparent as someone in a cast or in a wheelchair. But don’t think for a second the symptoms aren’t real.

My friend is a single parent who worked as long as she could. She raised a good kid who is almost out of high school and I don’t think she asks too much out of life.

She lives here in Western Kenosha County and last week went shopping, pulled into a handicapped parking spot last week, with the required handicapped parking permit displayed.

She got out of the car and a young guy yelled, “You don’t look like you need to park there.” My friend answered, “Thanks, you can’t see Multiple Sclerosis.” The young man yelled some more and an older man in the parking lot told the guy to mind his own business.

My friend thanked the older gentleman for coming to her defense, went right into the bathroom and broke down.

Why should anyone be attacked that way? She noted she felt good that day and did not have her cane.

No one should have to prove to anyone but their doctor the need to park in a handicapped spot.

It really makes me mad that some jerk shot his mouth off at her.

I have seen people get out of vehicles parked in handicapped spots that appear to be physically fit but who am I to judge them?

I was even a little irritated a few weeks ago when a van was parked right in front of Wal Mart by the main doors and I thought, boy get right up there. And of course, I felt like a jerk when the store doors opened up and several wheelchairs came rolling out, headed for the van.

So that was God thumping me in the back of the head.

Perhaps the guy who yelled at my friend has a parent who could not park in a handicapped spot because someone else illegally parked there.

Then call the police and have them look into it. It’s a hefty fine to park illegally in a handicapped spot.

Don’t confront someone or make rude remarks. You can’t judge a book by its cover and you can’t diagnosis someone just by looking at them.

Then again, you can tell stupid, just wait for some people to open their big fat mouth.


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