Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in November 2015. Justine Van Den Borne, a woman with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), recently shared a picture of an angry note she received after parking in a disabled bay. The note, which was left on her car at the Mitcham Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Australia, read: “Did you forget your wheelchair???” and was attached to her windscreen.
In response, Van Den Borne posted a lengthy caption alongside the image on her Facebook page, explaining that she has MS and is entitled to use the facility. She expressed frustration at people who abuse her on her good days and pointed out that a disability doesn’t always mean a person has to be wheelchair-bound. She also warned the person who left the note that one day she will be in a wheelchair.
In her Facebook post, Van Den Borne reminded people that they shouldn’t jump to conclusions just because they can’t see someone’s disability. She urged people to consider that they may not know everything about a person’s struggles and to avoid ruining someone’s day. Since sharing her experience, Van Den Borne’s post has gained massive attention, receiving over 17,500 likes and thousands of shares.
Unfortunately, Van Den Borne is not alone in her experience. She told The Age that similar situations happen all the time. Due to her age, people often presume she is doing the wrong thing when in reality, she cannot carry her own shopping and can’t walk long distances. She added that she has the bladder of an 80-year-old.
Van Den Borne was diagnosed with MS at the age of 35, and she often uses a stick to walk. She believes that she will be using a wheelchair within the next few years. MS affects the brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms such as loss of vision, muscle stiffness, difficulties with balance, and fatigue. The type of MS that Van Den Borne is dealing with, known as secondary progressive MS, involves a gradual worsening of symptoms over time.
Regrettably, there is presently no known cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Liz Sayce, CEO of Disability Rights UK, commented on the incident, stating that we are living in a culture of suspicion towards people whose disability is not immediately obvious. She urged people to imagine having heart disease or MS, being able to walk only a short distance, and being treated as a potential fraudster when using a disabled parking bay.
Sayce also noted that of the UK’s 11 million disabled people, only about 1.2 million use wheelchairs. Many others need to park close to shops, receive disability benefits, and be free of discrimination. She called on people to end the prejudice towards those with disabilities.
Sources: Independent / Opposing Views
