Re: Who should I see about Handicap plates?

[Guest guest]

Hi Jolynn,

It is the RMV from whom you get forms for the plates or, in my case, the placard. When you fill out the forms that they give you, be sure to mention "fused". That is a very big word with them. As I remember, your PCP will have to sign for you, as well.

Good luck!

Carole M.

PS -- I like the placard because we have two cars, and I can take in whichever I need.

[Guest guest]

Hi, My primary care doc filled out some paper work for me, and i in

turn went to the DMV, who was wonderful and within 15 minutes walked

out with the placard. It might depend on your state though? They are

so handy, some days I just can't do the long walk. Most times I use a

walker (a 3 wheeled speedy model!)so the wider spots for the

handicap parking is great! good luck

>

> I called my Primary care who needed convincing that I even had an

> issue worthy of seeing and orthopedist. When I called the nurse

> today to ask about submitting the froms she said " The DMV

determines

> who needs them not us "

>

> The cane works great to keep me almost pain free, but it really

> slows me down. I am usually running around doing a million things

> and I am just not use to being so flippin' slow. Running into the

> library or bank just seems to take twice as long simply becasue I

> move so much slower. Throw in 2 kids who are cold and just want to

> hurry and It makes me feel like dead weight (they aren't rude about

> it just shivering becuase they have to hold my hand when they walk

> for safety). I have started leaving the cane in the car more and

> more because of this, which then leads me to be in pain.

>

> I don't know if I should contact the orthopedist I saw locally or

> persue the issue with my primary care.

>

> Did I mention I am an extremely hurried,impatient person who does

> too much and probably needs to be slowed down?

>

> Jolynn

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carole

You had to go pick up forms? Wow....guess I lucked out. Was in for just

a regular check up, she knew about my back and I asked about a placard,

she just wrote up a form she had and I took them to DMV.

>

> Hi Jolynn,

>

> It is the RMV from whom you get forms for the plates or, in my case,

the

> placard. When you fill out the forms that they give you, be sure to

mention

> " fused " . That is a very big word with them. As I remember, your

PCP will have

> to sign for you, as well.

>

> Good luck!

>

> Carole M.

>

> PS -- I like the placard because we have two cars, and I can take in

> whichever I need.

>

[Guest guest]

Jolynn,

Ann was showing off her placard to me when she picked me up for the

dinner we had last week. She said it was quite easy to get after Dr

Rand signed her paperwork, which he was very willing to do. I think

she told me that having " fused segments " of the spine is a qualifying

condition...so he may deal with it all the time. If you don't have any

luck with your local ortho maybe you can talk it over with Rand on

your next appointment? Cam

[Guest guest]

Be sure to mention your back fusion on the forms, and to your primary, since the fusion does limit your mobility of getting in and out of vehicles, thus requiring wider parking spaces. Also mention the use of your mobility aid (cane) on the form. You might even want to try using a walker, with the kids hanging onto it instead of you. You get the pain relief that you need and the kids have something solid to hang onto, at the same time, for safety.

If you haven't already, you might want to read Mina's "Scoliosis Overcompensation Syndrome". I think we have all suffered from it, at one time or another.

Llweyn

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of leominsterhsgSent: March 21, 2006 5:03 PM Subject: [ ] Who should I see about Handicap plates?I called my Primary care who needed convincing that I even had an issue worthy of seeing and orthopedist. When I called the nurse today to ask about submitting the froms she said "The DMV determines who needs them not us" The cane works great to keep me almost pain free, but it really slows me down. I am usually running around doing a million things and I am just not use to being so flippin' slow. Running into the library or bank just seems to take twice as long simply becasue I move so much slower. Throw in 2 kids who are cold and just want to hurry and It makes me feel like dead weight (they aren't rude about it just shivering becuase they have to hold my hand when they walk for safety). I have started leaving the cane in the car more and more because of this, which then leads me to be in pain. I don't know if I should contact the orthopedist I saw locally or persue the issue with my primary care. Did I mention I am an extremely hurried,impatient person who does too much and probably needs to be slowed down? :)Jolynn

[Guest guest]

-Jolyn,

I was so used to rushing here and there with 4 kids...have this

surgery and a total wake up call..you will move slower. Not just

walking but getting out of the car....getting to the to the

bathroom...I have learned not to wait until the last minute, go early

and often!!!!,PA

-- In , " leominsterhsg "

<leominsterhsg@...> wrote:

>

> I called my Primary care who needed convincing that I even had an

> issue worthy of seeing and orthopedist. When I called the nurse

> today to ask about submitting the froms she said " The DMV

determines

> who needs them not us "

>

> The cane works great to keep me almost pain free, but it really

> slows me down. I am usually running around doing a million things

> and I am just not use to being so flippin' slow. Running into the

> library or bank just seems to take twice as long simply becasue I

> move so much slower. Throw in 2 kids who are cold and just want to

> hurry and It makes me feel like dead weight (they aren't rude about

> it just shivering becuase they have to hold my hand when they walk

> for safety). I have started leaving the cane in the car more and

> more because of this, which then leads me to be in pain.

>

> I don't know if I should contact the orthopedist I saw locally or

> persue the issue with my primary care.

>

> Did I mention I am an extremely hurried,impatient person who does

> too much and probably needs to be slowed down?

>

> Jolynn

>

[Guest guest]

I had the forms with me when I saw Rand and he was happy to fill them

out. Although the diagnosis was scoliosis/flatback syndrome. I think he

actually elaborated more about my arthritis.

Here's the link the MA DMV information.

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/medical/plates_placs.html

You can click to the forms section and print out the forms.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Jolynn, when I saw Dr. Rand he told me that he thought I should have a

handicapped placard, and that MA isn't too strict about issuing them. He

offered to fill out the paperwork for me, but I was scheduled to see my

primary doctor here in NH so I just had her fill it out. (When I first

learned I had flatback I filled her in, giving her articles about the

condition and showing her my x-rays, so she's always been 100% behind my

getting care for it.)

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/20060.pdf

Here's the MA application, if you don't already have it. I would fill it

out and ask either your local ortho or Dr. Rand to fill in the physician's

section. The placards are transferable (at least in NH), so you only need

one for all your vehicles.

Good luck.

Sharon

[ ] Who should I see about Handicap plates?

>I called my Primary care who needed convincing that I even had an

> issue worthy of seeing and orthopedist. When I called the nurse

> today to ask about submitting the froms she said " The DMV determines

> who needs them not us "

>

> The cane works great to keep me almost pain free, but it really

> slows me down. I am usually running around doing a million things

> and I am just not use to being so flippin' slow. Running into the

> library or bank just seems to take twice as long simply becasue I

> move so much slower. Throw in 2 kids who are cold and just want to

> hurry and It makes me feel like dead weight (they aren't rude about

> it just shivering becuase they have to hold my hand when they walk

> for safety). I have started leaving the cane in the car more and

> more because of this, which then leads me to be in pain.

>

> I don't know if I should contact the orthopedist I saw locally or

> persue the issue with my primary care.

>

> Did I mention I am an extremely hurried,impatient person who does

> too much and probably needs to be slowed down?

>

> Jolynn

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Jolynn,

My chiropractor took care of the paperwork, but I am sure it varies

from provider to provider.

Just so you know, I have a SIX minute commute to work (front door to

desk) and, in the year before surgery, it became a FIFTEEN minute

commute. I was really bothered by this! In reality, I still have

nothing to complain about, but just admitting that it was taking

longer to get things done was tough. I also had to start leaving for

water fitness class earlier as it took longer to get from the car to

the pool.

Hang in there!

kam

[Guest guest]

Thanks to every one who replied. I did print the forms off line a

while ago. I think I will go through the orthopedist here. I just

don't think the PCP nurse was real sympathetic. She kind of gave me

that impression.

Jolynn