Handicapped Parking Abuse (phobia, street, companies, American)

[Sunnydee]

My daughter and I went to CVS one day and this woman in a sports car zoomed into the handicap space and jumped out of her car. She was wearing an expensive suit, high heels, and was perfectly groomed. As she hurriedly walked toward the store my daughter asked me why she was parking in a spot for handicapped people when she obviously wasn't handicapped. In a loud voice I explained that she must be mentally handicapped and thought that space was for her. Needless to say the woman was not amused and shot me a dirty look. When she came out of the store my daughter pointed to her and said, "Hey mom, there's that mentally handicapped woman again." It did my heart good to call out a cheater.

[exhdo1]

Originally Posted by JeepGirl118

It doesn't bother me who uses a handicapped hanger and who does not. To each is own. Reasons are not always visible to the eye and it is none of my business. Sometimes I park in the expectant mother parking spots when I am not feeling so well or I am flat-out exhausted - what are they going to make me do - lay me down on my hood and give me an ultrasound?

I guess it 68 days to Florida? Let us know what happens to you when some blue hair down there catches you in spot your not supposed to be in!

[diseyore]

My daughter has Lupus SLE and must avoid the sun. She has a tag for this reason, and at times runs into the stores to keep her exposure to a minimium. He doctor feels this is best for her so others, please don't judge. You never really know what is wrong with a person. We truely get tired of people harrassing us about abusing the parking. There are days she just cries because people are so cruel. She is 22 cute, skinny and blonde so every just assumes she is a cheater. She only wishes that were true!

[lisa harper]

Originally Posted by totally_annoyed

i am totally irritated with the amount of people i see that possess handicapped hang-tags, but aren't handicapped! they use them to park wherever they want. as a borough security worker, i just dealt with someone who parked in a handicapped spot. when i approached him and asked him to move his car because he was in a handicapped spot, he said "i'm handicapped."
"where's your tag?" i asked.
he then bent over into his car, produced a tag that looked brand new, not faded, barely used. what choice did i have? "hang it up." i said, and walked away, furious that this perfectly capable young man was getting away with this. he walked off, and later i noticed that he was walking all over our park, no limp or crutch in sight.

why is it that these people are allowed to get away with this? maybe that guy drives his crippled mother around, but to use the handicapped sticker when obviously he was not handicapped should be a crime. i would love nothing more than to see this man's car being towed.

what are your thoughts on this? how, if possible, can it be changed?

Next time you come come across someone you believe is using the someone eles;s tag. the security guard at walmart does it all the time and he is able to issue tickets and confiscate the tag.

[Okie_Dokie!]

Originally Posted by Racelady88

Just a thought here. I have know several people who at a glance appear to be healthy, but do have real health concerns. I have a very good friend who has MS. Some days she can walk better than others, but she can't do it for very long. My mother had serious lung problems and also could not walk far. They both look sooo much worse when coming out of a store (or wherever) than they do going in.

This is true. I know there is some abuse of it,but it is hard to tell sometimes.

Okie

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by thevoiceover

Is there some sort of law that can be enforced here? She is not giving up the space even thought two or three "true" handicap people have mentioned something to her.. Will the police issue her a ticket on private property? How can I get this resolved and get it resolved ASAP!

Go to your HR department and mention that the truly handicapped people in the company think that she's creating a "hostile work environment".

Those are the magic words that will let you quit and still collect unemployment if they don't fix the problem.

[canibeyou]

Wow... have I really never posted in this thread?

I'm the wife of one of those people some of you can't stand.

My husband's handicap... but you wouldn't know that by looking at him.

I encourage you to revert to what you learned in kindergarten and "don't judge a book by it's cover".

Thankfully, I'm married to a wonderful man that forgives other people's ignorance (and admittedly, I have a hard time letting it roll off my shoulders, I let people's stupidity get to me at times). Even when they're yelling at him for parking (legally) in a handicap spot, not to mention the nasty looks he gets all the time. Such a shame people have to act like that. Human beings are simply nasty to one another for no reason whatsoever.

And for anyone interested, my husband "earned" his "privilege" (if you really want to call it that), by falling off the top of a 5 story building breaking every bone in his body but facial bones. Hip replacements, shattered, pulverized bones, titanium screws, etc. later, my husband's a miracle to still be alive and has to have to live the rest of his life always in physical pain ... there's no need to add your nasty looks and vulgar comments to his daily life.


It's a privilege to park as far from the door as you can get... 'cuz it's a privilege to be able to walk.

[Northwoods Voyager]

canibeyou....I have noticed others being judgemental before or it they ever do know the facts about a person. Many years ago, after my husband's 4 way by-pass I would park in a handicapped spot only because at that time it was difficult for him to walk very far. I got tired of some of the nasty looks and began just letting him off at the door to where ever we were going.

Same way with my recent knee surgery; didn't dare park in a handicapped spot. I am sorry that your husband has to experience such negativity from others. Nasty people out there with so little compassion and understanding.

[canibeyou]

Northwoods.. I'll never forget the time an elderly man walked up to my husband at the post office... got right up in my husband's face and started screaming at him. What right did my husband have to park there; he was a young guy he should be walking from across the parking lot, blah, blah, blah.

It really take a LOT to get my husband upset (me, I was in shock and disbelief as I sat in the car listening to this man verbally assault my husband). When the man was done with his rant my husband simply looked at him and said, "Sir, you don't want what I have. God bless" and walked into the post office.

'Cuz he's not old or barely walking he doesn't have a right to park there? I just don't understand that logic of thinking. Personally, if you're really old and barely able to walk, I'd rather have someone else driving you places. I'm just sayin'!


Now, I will say something to someone who parks in a handicap illegally. I followed a girl into a check cashing place once and simply brought to her attention that she'd parked in a handicap spot without a placard or plate (honestly thought she'd done it by accident). She turned to me and began screaming at me, "I'm only running in." To which I replied, "My husband's handicap... and he'd LOVE to be able to run anywhere" and I turned around and left. I knew she wouldn't get it. maybe one day she'll legitimately need that handicap spot and she'll know what it feels like when someone parks illegally in a space she needs.

I do have to say, I've learned SO much from my husband. I'm getting better with my tolerance of some people. And, bless him, my husband NEVER complains about his "situation". I asked him one time about that. I said, "You know, I know you're in pain all the time and yet I never hear you complain about it". To which he said, "I don't think God saved my life that day only to have me complain about it for the rest of my time here."

Humbling to say the least.

So I try, every day, to work on my attitude towards those who choose to not "get it".

(sorry for the long post. guess I'm pretty passionate about this subject)

[Northwoods Voyager]

I don't blame you, canibeyou, I'd be pretty passionate about this myself in your and your husband's situation. We are dong quite a bit better. I still drop DH off at the door anywhere. He gets out of breath very quickly and walks a little haltingly all of the time. My knee is just fine now!!! Take care.