<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Kelli</b></i>
Lifenlight..........I really do see your point and my heart goes out to you. I'm sure my heart will ache when I will look back one day at what I had (lung function). I do get your point. The only reason I want one is because it has been -20 and -30 degrees and it's hard for me to breathe when it is that cold. By the time I get to where I need to go I'm panting from coughing my head off. Those are the only times when I want one.
But rest assured, I do see your point. Thanks for putting it on here.
KELLI</end quote></div>
I agree with Kelli. I get everyone's point. I did find it funny when Lightnlife said "In the meantime, park elsewhere then take a big cleansing breath and be glad that you still have the lung power to be able to hike across a parking lot" after I had posted that I could NOT breathe walking about 2 miles in an exhaust-filled parking lot under a buy freeway on a humid day even with my coat over my mouth and nose.... lol... I totally know what you're saying though about being glad its not worse. I am thankful everyday that I do not need a handicap placard every day of the year.
I also agree though with Kelli that in SOME cases (even if its once a year), I DO feel disabled by my CF and walking IS very difficult. Our disability shouldn't be discredited just cause we usually have an FEV1 of 50%, but when walking in -20 below temps its probably more like 30 (I mean, who knows what it drops to when you're have an asthma attack cause of cold or polluted air). I feel that AT THAT moment I am disabled. So, I do feel strongly that at those times we should be allowed the option to use a placard. However, I am NOT saying we should then be entitled to use it on a clear day or just cause we don't feel like walking. I am totally against that. I guess my main point is that even if I'm not disabled when I'm sitting in my nice warm, hepa-filtered house, I may become disabled when environmental stressors are placed on me and my lungs. Then and only then would I agree that its appropriate to use a placard.
Sorry if this is redundant. I really think everyone on here has some GREAT points! And I totally agree that just cause you have CF does NOT make you entitiled to a placard. And, I'm certain the day will come when I will think back on this post and remember longingly of the time when I had a CHOICE whether or not to ask for a handicap placrad versus needing one every day to get by. I do appreciate that.
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Edited to add: When I mentioned above about thinking it was "funny" when LightnLife said those things, I meant it in NO disrespect. I used that word for lack of a better term, not to be cynical or offensive. I just want to make that clear that I was not being sarcastic or anything... just didn't know how else to say it. And, I didn't mean to attack LightnLife's comment, as I do agree with its meaning.