Paula and the DMV

Okay, I think I have calmed down enough now.

First, my birthday was back in August and I am just now renewing my license. But with the truck constantly in the body shop or being on the mail route and me home without a vehicle, it was not only difficult to get there but also, why bother??

So I finally went yesterday. I kinda knew that I would get some grief just because I was late. But I didn’t expect this. I didn’t take my chair in since it is difficult to load by myself. And I didn’t take Joella in because I thought the place would be full of Mexicans (the majority of them freak when they see her). So all I had was me and my crutch.

They finally call my number, I go over. Then I am asked why I use the crutch.

“I have a connective tissue disorder.”

He stares at me.

“I have EDS.” (‘cept I say the full name).

He stares at me.

I finally said I am hypermobile.

He asks me to spell Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. So I tell him. He can’t find it on his computer. He goes over and whispers to another officer who tells him to call Raleigh. I say what’s the big deal? I don’t use hand controls. He said it doesn’t matter. Raleigh has heard of EDS and that I need to have a ‘medical’.

To make this short, I have about six pages of a form for my doctor to fill out and send to Raleigh (the main DMV office). They wanted to also take me out for a road test. Problem. I have a dog in the truck.

We are outside at the truck (I told them she’s a SD) and he asks me for my letter.

“What letter?”

“Letter of medical necessity to have the dog.”

“I don’t have one. I don’t need one. The federal law says I don’t have to have any proof, i.d., or letter for my SD.”

They then hand me a copy of their manual. I have to have a letter before the officer will ride in the truck with me. AND she has to be restrained to the point she cannot reach him in the front seat.

WTF??!!

So….

I took today off to calm down and tomorrow I will call the Raleigh office and find out what is going on. This is putting the burden of proof on me. I (and any other PWD) have to pay for the doctor’s visit to ask him to fill all that crap out. Many doctors refuse since it makes them legally responsible for me being able to drive. Elena had to pay a rehab clinic to give her their driver’s exam since her doc refused.

Aaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!

You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull on Superman’s cape
You don’t pull the mask on the old Lone Ranger
And you don’t mess around with me.