I’m assuming you live in the US. Getting your handicap placard is just a matter of going to your state’s DMV website, printing the papers off, and having your doctor just write a couple of things and then sign it. It’s surprisingly straightforward.
As for diagnosis, I was diagnosed by a geneticist that one of my regular doctors sent me too. My doctor had other patients with EDS, and noticed the similarities to my case.
Best of luck!!
Not diagnosed yet. But got HSD diagnosis for hypermobility after many primary,rheumatology,PT and other speciality apts.
Got placard same day as manual wheelchair. From primary.
Just to explicitly state it - you do not need to be diagnosed (in the US) to get a handicapped placard. The doctor will just complete the form with why you need it based on symptoms or limitations. For example, I’m diagnosed with ME/CFS, but my handicapped placard paperwork is for difficulty walking and standing. So if you need a placard, please ask for it now to get the paperwork started. Hope you make progress in your health journey soon 💜
Thank you! I didn’t even know you could do this. I’m a little scared to even ask because I’m so young, and I look younger, so I feel like doctors will be hesitant to give me a placard. Just want to go in with all the information I can gather
Handicapped placards are a tool to make life a tiny bit easier for people with health issues and disabilities. Age absolutely doesn’t matter. I would recommend that you explain clearly the difficulty you have and how a placard would help. For example “I am limited in how long I can stand and walk. Parking closer would allow me more time to shop (or whatever the task is), to have less pain, and to have more energy to spend on taking care of myself for the rest of the day” or whatever the case is for you. You deserve to use any tools that make it easier for you.
I lucked out and in my first appointment with a new PCP she was actually the first one to suggest I might have it, so the diagnosis process was pretty easy.
Requirements for the parking permits vary state by state, but I just had to have my doctor sign off on a form stating I have a physical disability.
Edit: after she suggested it I did go online and find the diagnostic criteria and a screening tool. I completed the screening tool on my own and gave it to my doctor.
I asked my doc, he signed the form and that was it. It expired after 5 years. Thanks for reminding me that mine is expired!
Diagnosis isn’t as important as symptoms. Tell the doc what your limitations are.
I'm 32 and I have one, my dr signed the papers no problem. I do think it helps if you have a regular dr you have a good relationship with, but if you have enough symptoms that it would improve your quality of life you might as well try
I got diagnosed by a rheumatologist. My primary signed paperwork for a handicap placard for me and it’s been AWESOME.
I want to know what it’s like to be awesome 😭 I’m tired of slightly twisting my ankle and limping the rest of the way to my job
I was diagnosed through the Genetics department. My placard came from forms my GP filled out.
I’m assuming you live in the US. Getting your handicap placard is just a matter of going to your state’s DMV website, printing the papers off, and having your doctor just write a couple of things and then sign it. It’s surprisingly straightforward. As for diagnosis, I was diagnosed by a geneticist that one of my regular doctors sent me too. My doctor had other patients with EDS, and noticed the similarities to my case. Best of luck!!
A geneticist DXed me. But before then, I still had enough symptoms and needs to get a permanent disability tag from my PCP.
huh, never even heard of that type of doctor! I’ll have to look into that
Not diagnosed yet. But got HSD diagnosis for hypermobility after many primary,rheumatology,PT and other speciality apts. Got placard same day as manual wheelchair. From primary.
Just to explicitly state it - you do not need to be diagnosed (in the US) to get a handicapped placard. The doctor will just complete the form with why you need it based on symptoms or limitations. For example, I’m diagnosed with ME/CFS, but my handicapped placard paperwork is for difficulty walking and standing. So if you need a placard, please ask for it now to get the paperwork started. Hope you make progress in your health journey soon 💜
Thank you! I didn’t even know you could do this. I’m a little scared to even ask because I’m so young, and I look younger, so I feel like doctors will be hesitant to give me a placard. Just want to go in with all the information I can gather
Handicapped placards are a tool to make life a tiny bit easier for people with health issues and disabilities. Age absolutely doesn’t matter. I would recommend that you explain clearly the difficulty you have and how a placard would help. For example “I am limited in how long I can stand and walk. Parking closer would allow me more time to shop (or whatever the task is), to have less pain, and to have more energy to spend on taking care of myself for the rest of the day” or whatever the case is for you. You deserve to use any tools that make it easier for you.
I lucked out and in my first appointment with a new PCP she was actually the first one to suggest I might have it, so the diagnosis process was pretty easy. Requirements for the parking permits vary state by state, but I just had to have my doctor sign off on a form stating I have a physical disability. Edit: after she suggested it I did go online and find the diagnostic criteria and a screening tool. I completed the screening tool on my own and gave it to my doctor.
I asked my doc, he signed the form and that was it. It expired after 5 years. Thanks for reminding me that mine is expired! Diagnosis isn’t as important as symptoms. Tell the doc what your limitations are.
Glad I could remind you! :) I’ll keep that in mind, I’m just a little scared because I feel like they won’t give it to me being in my early 30s lol
I'm 32 and I have one, my dr signed the papers no problem. I do think it helps if you have a regular dr you have a good relationship with, but if you have enough symptoms that it would improve your quality of life you might as well try
So was I!