Parking accomodation

RayRay007 · August 2014

This is probably TL;DR and can be summed up in the first sentence.

Am I being a big baby, or is it reasonable for me to ask for parking accommodations at 24 weeks? I park about 500m (1/3 mile) away which isn't too far on it's own, but I have to cross a pedestrian overpass (over traffic) with a steep ramp on either end, and it's been 30+ degrees (86+ in f) with high humidity here for weeks, and will be for the foreseeable future. In the mornings I get light-headed walking over the overpass and my legs feel like lead (plus the general slowness and shortness of breath). Too much physical exertion has been causing worse BHs. At the end of the work day it is worse (especially since it's way hotter). I can take a detour and add 100m or so on to the walk, to avoid the overpass, but then I have to stand at a busy intersection for several minutes in the sweltering heat (hey, I'm from Canada, not FL - this is sweltering for us) waiting for a walk light. If I try to rush I get pulling pains in my lower abdomen and shooting pains in my vag. If my feet are swollen that day, my skin actually hurts. Now, none of this is high BP or edema or an actual medical condition, other than the "condition" of multiples itself. Am I being a baby if I ask for a note from my doctor? With a note I can get a pass to park at a meter nearer my building. I phoned the office this morning to ask how to go about getting a form signed and the receptionist seemed like she was almost laughing at me, saying I could try but she didn't know if my doc would sign such a note. I tried faxing the form to my doctor's office 4 times today but it never went through and now I'm wondering if I should bother. Today, I am in a pay lot, even though I pay monthly fees at another lot, in order to be closer to work. It will cost me about 1/4 of what it costs me a month to park in my regular lot to park here today. That's how much I hate walking.

ETA: It's not like I never walk, either, which has me second guessing my actual "need". I walked about 1.5-2km with DD to and from the park this weekend, but it was at our own leisurely pace, with lots of breaks, and the whether was very cool.

LittleLady77 · August 2014

It never hurts to ask.

BeesKnees181 · August 2014

I bring my LO's to work with me now and make no apologies for parking right next to the entrance of our office. P.S. It isn't even a parking space

minirella · August 2014

All the doctor can do is tell you no.

FaeryStarGazer · August 2014

You could for sure ask, but there's a pretty good chance they're just going to tell you to get there earlier so you can walk slower. Is there a way to get a pass from your building?

ppants · August 2014

DH insisted I get a handicapped parking permit. It was winter time also and he went with me to the dr's appt with paperwork ready. Dr said it was reasonable and even a good idea. She signed off on paperwork and I got a temp permit.

southerncharm24 · August 2014

My doctor wouldn't give out parking privileges. I just had to get to work earlier and walk slower.Lucky for me I had a flexible job and they didn't care when I got there. I think the walking did me good in the end with recovery. I know it sucks, but you can do it!

1+tripsmom · August 2014

I am sorry but you can ask but not for disability parking IMO. I have a child who has trouble walking her and one brother are runners also due to autism I have a handicap placard and I don't even like using it. This a huge issue in the triplet community cause they are not cause pregnancy or have multiples sorry

HeavenBlessedMom · August 2014

Def ask! You don't want those BH to turn into the real thing.
I used my dad's handicapped at all my last appointments for the triplets instead of walking the 1/2 mile. In the end, they told me I should have asked for accommodations. . And this is in downtown Chicago!

1+tripsmom · August 2014

HeavenBlessedMom said:

Def ask! You don't want those BH to turn into the real thing. I used my dad's handicapped at all my last appointments for the triplets instead of walking the 1/2 mile. In the end, they told me I should have asked for accommodations. . And this is in downtown Chicago!

FYI using a handicap placard with out the person with you is illegal.

prayingformiracles · August 2014

Being pregnant with quads in hot Georgia heat- I'm not taking chances. At my work, we are supposed to park about over 2 blocks down the road. My bosses immediately said I'm excused from this. It's been over 95F here and when it's not hot, it's pouring and the street we cross is flooded.
I'm guess if you are at work, you'd also be carrying a lunch and pocketbook too? I would definitely ask for a parking permit closer. It's not worth it to put that strain on you or the babies. Don't let people think you are being a baby.
Good luck!

RayRay007 · August 2014

1+tripsmom said:

I am sorry but you can ask but not for disability parking IMO. I have a child who has trouble walking her and one brother are runners also due to autism I have a handicap placard and I don't even like using it. This a huge issue in the triplet community cause they are not cause pregnancy or have multiples sorry

I don't know if this is directed at me, but I specifically told parking that I did not want to use a designated disability spot. I simply asked for some accommodation. They said I could get a spot at a regular meter closer to my building (with a doctors note).

In any event, I think most of the ladies are right, I can ask, but I will likely be told to get there earlier and take it slower.

Thanks ladies.

SereJane · August 2014

Definitely ask. I'd take the shooting pain as a sign you're causing strain. Hope you're able to be accommodated!

PinkinProvence · August 2014

In NY, you can only get handicapped parking for "permanent" disability. I started to drive to work at around 24 weeks for the same exact reason.

HeavenBlessedMom · August 2014

I realize that which is why I'm careful about it

RayRay007 · August 2014

I don't know if it matters, but I feel that I should clarify that this is all parking 'owned' by my employer - I work on a large campus with several lots and meters all governed by my employer's bylaws. The accommodation would be granted by my employer, not a disability council, and would be for another lot or meter that they control, not a 'public' lot or meter and not a designated disability parking spot.

I faxed over the form and asked my dr. to call me. We'll see.

1+tripsmom · August 2014

RayRay007 said:

1+tripsmom said:

I am sorry but you can ask but not for disability parking IMO. I have a child who has trouble walking her and one brother are runners also due to autism I have a handicap placard and I don't even like using it. This a huge issue in the triplet community cause they are not cause pregnancy or have multiples sorry

I don't know if this is directed at me, but I specifically told parking that I did not want to use a designated disability spot. I simply asked for some accommodation. They said I could get a spot at a regular meter closer to my building (with a doctors note).

In any event, I think most of the ladies are right, I can ask, but I will likely be told to get there earlier and take it slower.

Thanks ladies.

Sorry no just saying that in general. Too many people take advantage of the handicap spots and it sucks. I did not get one till my daughter was over 2 and still not walking with out assistance. We don't use the placard much now. Just kind of a sore spot for me.

PGwithNo3 · August 2014

I think you should def ask. At my work, you just needed a doctor’s note and you could park in the handicapped parking.

My walk was a lot shorter than yours. Your goal is healthy full term babies, so I hope they accommodate you!

KMommytobe · August 2014

I would totally ask. Why not? GL!

MommyWannaB10 · August 2014

I work from home, but would have to go into work 1x per week. I parked in the lots "visitor" parking. My boss even told me to and if anyone asked, I has a perfectly good reason. Occasionally the building management would send out emails regarding those parking spaces (there's like 12 of them) that' they were not for employees do the building, never directed at me though. And these visitor spaces were never all full in a given day.

somewhereincali · August 2014

I'm kind of shocked at some of these responses. When I was pregnant I would have done anything to avoid pushing my limits or stressing my body (and I would count having pains as a sign that your body is telling you something).
It's not like she is taking something from a disabled person (and I say this as someone whose husband has a placard).

Bigboneded · August 2014

I hope you explained to your doctor as you explained here, steep grades, SOB, heavy legs, heat too much. And let him/her know you are happy walking (2k to the park on level surface, leisurely pace). It doesnt seem unreasonable. I would do it. :-)

RayRay007 · August 2014

Well I faxed off the form to my doc and asked her to call me and she did, but didn't really have any questions, just wanted to make sure that's all I needed and I didn't have any other pressing concerns. She said it was no problem, and so now I have a pass to park at a spot nearer my building, but without using the 1 disability spot in front.

Want a personalized experience?

Parking accomodation

Re: Parking accomodation

Choose Another Board

Search Boards