Handicapped Peg...and Other Nonsense

In order to be gone for the three weeks of my upcoming trip back from California in a few days, I've been trying to tie up some loose ends. Had to arrange for the lawn to be mowed in my absence...getting the mail picked up...making sure my medicines are in order...alert my bank to the fact that there will be out-of-state purchases on my debit card, etc. I noticed that one of my medicines needed a doctor's order for refill. Also, Meg had been strongly hinting that I should try to get a temporary handicapped parking placard for the long trip because parking lot distances in national parks can be sobering for an old lady. (My stamina has really decreased this past year, but I don't push myself. I just don't think of myself as disabled and didn't figure I was eligible for handicapped parking.)





Okay...so over a week ago, I called my cardiologist's office to ask for a prescription refill order and inquire if the doctor would sign off on a handicapped parking application. They JUST got around to calling me back today. Yes, Dr. Gill will sign the application. I downloaded and printed the form from the Internet and drove to IU West Hospital in Avon to try to catch the doctor in, figuring that I still had tomorrow and/or Monday if he escaped before I got there. As luck would have it, the doctor was in. I waited about 15 minutes while the papers were processed, then left to go straight to the Plainfield BMV. The part I had filled out asked for a temporary parking permit. What Dr. Gill filled out said "permanent". At the BMV, I noticed that he had omitted his medical license number on the form. Not good.





Trips to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles are a WHOLE lot better than they used to be! No more taking numbers...and no more long waits. I got there about 2:30 and was taken right away. I pointed out to the gal behind the counter that the doc hadn't put in his medical license number. She said, "Oh...we need that." I groaned internally. She could have sent me packing to obtain the number myself and make a return trip for the placard, but she didn't. Instead, she got on the phone with the doctor's office and was on hold for 10 minutes while she waited to get the license number. What a champ! A few minutes later, I left the BMV with a permanent handicapped parking permit.





Here's the kicker: although I am aware that I have problems with walking and breathing and stamina, etc., I'm not quite sure how to take the doctor's assessment that I am permanently disabled! I thought I was pulling a "fast one"...but now I'm a little concerned. I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth, but I won't be taking advantage of the placard unless I really need to. I've always loathed people who abuse the system!