I'm writing this letter in response to a note left on our family van May 2 while my wife and I took our four-year-old twins to gymnastics class at the Milton Sports Centre.

We parked in a handicapped spot and placed our handicapped parking permit on the dash, walked in and attended our kids' class. When we returned to our van we found a note that read 'I'm a pig' on one side and written on the other was 'Who the hell in this van needed a wheel chair -- you could all walk fine to me?'

Our four-year-old son has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, which basically means he has brain damage that affects his gross and fine motor control, as well as his balance. He wears custom-made braces to assist him in his walking. He also becomes very fatigued when walking great distances and often falls.

To the person who left this note for us, I guess you didn't see us leaving. I was carrying my son, who -- after his gymnastics class -- has really no control of his legs after such a strenuous activity. Every day is a challenge for him and our family.

We're very hurt by this display of ignorance. It's a reminder of the challenges my son will face in his daily life being a person with a disability. We have many friends with children with special needs in Milton. It's our job as parents to educate the world about how special our children are and that they're deserving of the same respect that you would expect your own children to receive.

In the future, if you see someone in a handicapped parking spot that you don't think is legitimate, just ask. Not all people wear their disabilities on their sleeve.

WALLY APPLETON, MILTON