Is There a Handicap Parking Spot Available?

[anygunanywhere]

I was going to title this one "Hey Crip!" but I didn't want to annoy the PC crowd or get the Homies wearing the blue bandanas excited.

Anyway, this last six weeks of being on crutches has made me extremely aware of my current limitations with respect to concealed carry and my ability to defend myself and my main squeeze.

First, mobility on crutches is non-existent, especially when you can not put any weight at all on one leg. Uneven ground or gravel, wet surfaces, and steps are difficult. Try entering and exiting a vehicle or thye house. Everything now is a barrier to mobility. Multi-tasking anything is out. You can't ignore the ground and watch what is around you because if you do, you will fall. Guaranteed. You know what your reaction to falling is? Putting pressure on your bad leg.

Second, your wardrobe does not support concealed carry and crutches. I doubt anyone has shirts with tails long enough to conceal a pistol properly carried on a gun belt. I can only pocket carry. A shoulder holster worn low might work, but I did not want to buy one and try it out.

Third, if confronted, you can not run away. You have to stay and face your threat. I have decided if this happens, I will throw my right crutch at my adversary (instead of a throw-down wallet), pull the piece and go for the gusto. Falling is a given.

I have disparity of force on my side now, though. This would be a good discussion for physically limited individuals.

I am vigilant to the extreme now. I was amazed at how often I had been leaving myself exposed even at home. The same with car travel. I have a rental right now since my Ford Superduty is a standard shift 6-speed. If a carjacker decides he wants my ride I will see how many of these supplemental air bags in this car deploy. Those bags are all over the place. "Drive it like you stole it!"

On the most serious comment I have, I do not understand why anyone with limited physical abilities does not carry. Lots of us on this board are normally pretty capable individuals. Some, but not all of us are exactly able to spar with the likes of Chuck Norris or Steven Seagall, but can probably hold our own in a short scuffle. But being the proverbial one-legged man in the kicking contest changes things.

I had a dear B-I-L (he introduced me and the Mrs. and he passed away last year) who was confined to a scooter. He consistently either packed a Ruger semiauto or sometimes a Blackhawk .357 in a shoulder holster. He was bound and determined to not be a victim.

As we grow old and stiff the physical limitations will creep up on us. Accidents shouldn't but do happen. The pain and recovery is enough of an issue much less the limitations on our self defense capabilities.

Anygunanywhere

[barres]

AMEN! I had knee problems a year ago that had me on crutches or a cane for about 2 months. Carrying became difficult much of the time.

[seamusTX]

I sympathize with your challenges.

I don't understand this:

Second, your wardrobe does not support concealed carry and crutches. I doubt anyone has shirts with tails long enough to conceal a pistol properly carried on a gun belt.

I go into Goodwill and look at the polo-style shirts on the rack. I pick the ones that are hanging down furthest and have some kind of pattern. The shirt that I am wearing right now will cover an OWB holster at 4 o'clock. (I don't usually wear such a rig, but I have done, and it worked).

- Jim

[Boxerrider]

I spent a several weeks on one leg and a pair of sticks but did not have a CHL at the time.
I had a small camera bag and used it to carry all of the stuff I would normally have had in my pockets. Yes, like a purse. I took the shoulder strap off and put the crutch handle through the belt-loop strap it has on the back. No reason why you couldn't do this with your carry piece, you aren't running away and leaving that crutch behind. It's not ideal, but it does keep it right at hand.

Best wishes on your recovery.

[Venus Pax]

You're still in my prayers for recovery, anygun.

Mars is still healing. He can walk a little now without crutches, but it's with a major limp. He only needs the wheelchair about once a week now. At one point, that wheelchair was all he could use to get around.
During the wheelchair weeks, I was hypersensitive to our surroundings, knowing that Mars couldn't exactly get out of the way. He has finally resumed wearing his gun more, but not as much as I would like, which would be all the time.

I'm sure you've noticed that some places just aren't wise choices for outings:
Wal-mart is usually busy, and children run all over the place. They don't mean any harm, but can run into you and undo a lot of what you've accomplished in therapy. The mall isn't much fun either. Restaurants after Sunday morning church aren't going to offer much in the way of available handicapped parking. Movie theaters are a no-go until you can navigate the steps, unless you just like those wheelchair spaces that are three feet from the screen.


I commend you on being more watchful than usual, as well as continuing to carry depsite the difficulties presented by your temporary disability.

[Monkey404error]

I have not yet had to have crutches and worry about carrying, but I have already planned for it. I cannot find the exact product I have, but it's something close to what Galco offers, http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterP3.asp?Pr ... alogID=149 (but looks more like a regular backpack),except theres a quick draw along the bottom, so with a pair of crutches I would be able to reach behind me, and pull the quick draw string, and pull the gun out of its secured holster in there. Or if I can, I can get the bag infront of me, and retreive my weapon if necessary.

I do hope that all of you who have gotten injured get well soon.

[dukalmighty]

I have a permanent spinal cord injury and walk with a cane or use a wheelchair for longer trips from my vehicle,I cannot run from anything so for me it's stand and fight,some situations healthy people may not find threatening or a danger to somebody.It's possible that getting punched could kill me if it moves the hardware that keeps my neck aligned, or due to my condition my balance isn't good and it affected my body strength I'm like a walking ad that flashes victim,only thing i have is i try to maintain 360 situational awareness for threats and i carry 24/7 even in my house.I hope you guy's heal quick,I've pretty much healed about as good as i can.

[bauerdj]

I know the feeling well, in the last five years I have developed fairly severe arthritis affecting my knees and right hip. I am still able to walk without a cane or walker but not without substantial pain. I carry 24/7 (outside of work) in part because flight is NOT a viable option. I also find that carry on the hip (where I have always carried) causes more pain unless I get it in exactly the right spot.

Dave B.

[bdickens]

Good luck and hope you get better soon.

[anygunanywhere]

I sympathize with your challenges.

I don't understand this:

Second, your wardrobe does not support concealed carry and crutches. I doubt anyone has shirts with tails long enough to conceal a pistol properly carried on a gun belt.

I go into Goodwill and look at the polo-style shirts on the rack. I pick the ones that are hanging down furthest and have some kind of pattern. The shirt that I am wearing right now will cover an OWB holster at 4 o'clock. (I don't usually wear such a rig, but I have done, and it worked).

- Jim

I have found that on extended forays on the crutches the shirts tend to ride way up and I have to stop and pull them down. If I bought some clothes made by Omar the tentmaker it would do, but I didn't want to have to buy a bunch of clothes just to get by on these aluminum legs. Cutting up my Wranglers a bit was enough.

Thanks, Venus, and the rest of you guys for the on-going support.

Duk, you do have my utmost respect for carrying on in your condition. Please continue to be careful.

One thing this episode has done for me is to continue to make me realize how lucky I am and how easy I have it even when injured.

Anygun