Living in this world is hard but being a person with a disability whether visible or invisible is harder enough. I do not like to consider myself to be a person with a physical disability because I do my best to do whatever I can and go after what I want. I am on my feet at work, I still work out and even dance. I make the most out of myself that I can. However, I know I have a disability when it comes to certain things and this includes needing the handicap spot in tough weather. I sometimes though do not get to park in the handicap spots because some people illegally park in them. To those of you who do that, you are extremely wrong.

I do not use my "disability privileges" when I find it convenient. I am a well rounded capable girl of doing anything I set my mind to. However, I know that I do have my limits and unfortunately the disability comes into play. On harsh weather days that include snow and rain, those are brutal for me. I wear leg braces because of a nerve disease I have that makes it difficult for me to walk. I am able to walk more easily in clear weather because my feet can walk on the flat surfaces. When the heavy snow storm comes in though and the ground turns to ice, I can barely walk across the street without falling. My feet are the worst because of my nerve disease causing me to have trouble lifting them up in harsh weather which is why I need accessibility to one thing... which is a handicap spot.

I am not saying that everyone who has a disability needs a handicap spot. Some truly do not need it. I personally know that I am not as "disabled" as others may be. Usually I do not need to park in a handicap spot when the weather is nice and I know I am not doing much activity. However their are days I really do need it. I never know how tired I will be and when my legs will give out. If I only see one handicap spot left I try and park somewhere else depending on the weather and how I am feeling so someone else who needs it more than me can have that spot. It ends up usually being someone who does not need it though that illegally parks there.

To those people who think it is okay to park in a handicap spot to run in and get something quickly or to wait for someone to come out or simply because you are lazy, you are selfish in that moment. Many of you who park in the handicap spots for a few moments because you do not think anyone will need them at that time is simply plain wrong.

I go to a gym and dance studio near my house with only two handicap spots in front of them. TWO. I need one of those spots for when it rains and snows so I do not slip. I also need one of them for when I get super tired from working out and dancing where my legs can sometimes begin to feel numbness or pain. I refuse to stay home because of bad weather. I should not have to skip the gym and dance because I may not know how tired I will get or how bad it will be outside, which is why I need the handicap spots available.

Dancing and working out helps me gain my strength back and I have every right to do those things. When I need those spots though on such harsh and tiring days, I usually see people waiting in them to pick someone up or just illegally parked there thinking no one will need them. But guess again. I need one of those spots and almost slip about four times trying to get across the parking lot in snow. This is all because someone could not park in a regular spot from whatever store they were going to and walk when they are capable.

So to the people who park in the handicap spots when you should not, PLEASE STOP. I would appreciate it and so many others would. I do not think many of us asked to be handicapped. Do you really think we want to have to use those spots to be viewed as disabled? I would love to be able to park in a normal spot without having trouble walking, but it is who I am and I accepted it years ago. So please, do not be lazy. Parking in a handicap spot even for ten seconds is ten seconds someone may have needed that spot and you did not notice. IT MATTERS. Just park somewhere else if you do not have the right to park in a handicap spot. You'll be doing me and I am sure someone else who really needs the spot a huge favor and save us a lot of trouble, which we really do appreciate.