Handicapped Parking Places

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
21

I’ve never received an apology. A few of the worst:

-I was meeting a friend for breakfast at a busy restaurant. People were waiting outside for tables. One man was standing in the handicapped parking spot (the only open one) when I came to pull in. He stood there like an idiot and stared at me as I started to turn in. I asked him if he was going to move. He kept standing there, and asked, “Are you handicapped?” or “You don’t look handicapped.” I can’t really remember his exact words. I was shocked that he was being such a jerk, and started to ask him to move again. Before I did, he noticed my university parking decal with a handicap symbol on it (it’s small, and only valid on campus). He finally started to move, and said, apparently to himself, but loud enough for me to hear, “It must be mental.” (As in I must be mentally handicapped.) My friend came out of the restaurant while this was going on (it happened fast) and he came over and helped me out of my car. I felt like crying, because this guy thought he was going to stick it to some kid trying to abuse a parking spot, when I just wanted to go eat breakfast. I couldn’t think of any witty or scathing comeback at the time, because I was caught off guard.

-Pulled into a grocery store, with my window down, put the car in park, and without having turned the engine off, a woman passing by, said, “Where’s your tag?” I couldn’t believe she asked me something like that, and managed to stammer, “I have a wheelchair.” She continued on her way into the grocery store. She didn’t apologize, she didn’t offer to help.

-My sister and I went to the mall to buy Christmas presents. We pulled into the handicap spot as other people walked through the lot. A woman started walking over to us. My sister saw the woman change direction, and hurried to get my wheelchair out of the trunk. When the woman reached us, she said something like, “Oh, you’ve got a wheelchair … I was going to tell you that you can get tickets for parking there without a tag.” Nice save. It’s great that she wanted to inform us on this strange custom that is the parking lot system, but I would prefer that wannabe parking vigilantes mind their own business.

-Numerous dirty looks and stare downs from self-appointed parking police.

As for doing damage to cars without tags or plates: This is another case where it’s best to err on the side of caution. There have been times when I have forgotten to put my hanger on the mirror, or it has fallen. If I come back to a parking ticket, then fine. I can deal with that. I won’t be happy if I come back and the car is keyed, dented, etc.

22

That is sage advice. I find it much more effective and satisfying to write in indelible ink in reversed letters on their windshield (so it reads right from the inside) “If you are not handicapped, then you are a complete fucking jerk who deserves to be savaged by rabid weasels” or something along those lines. :smiley:

ps. Indelible ink will come off of glass, but not with just windshield wipers. I would not advocate doing lasting harm to someone else’s property, no matter how big a jerk they were. Two wrongs don’t make a right, but three rights do make a left. [/Steven Wright]

23

Does it make me a horrible person that while never I actually doing it, I think about it, for the following reason: At work, where parking is at a premium, there are ten handicapped spots. No more than two are ever used (with appropriate stickers) at any time. Now, I understand that there have to be extra in case someone shows up, but if we watch for a few weeks, and see that there are never more than, say, three cars needing such spots, that we have five spots rather than ten? We’ll have more than we need, and not be excessive.

Again, I feel like an ass whenever I think this, because I’m lucky that I don’t need one.

24

Tell 'em to ship some of those spaces up to Central Pennsylvania. My mother had legitimate reason to use handicapped parking (only one lung, and that one didn’t work too well, so she couldn’t walk far) but whenever I was out with her, I had to drop her off by the door, then go park the car someplace distant, because there were never available handicapped spaces near where she wanted to go. There’d be maybe one or two spaces at all, and they were always occupied. Other places I’ve been (including every place I go in northern Virginia), there are always a few available handicapped spaces.

Anyway - yeah, err on the side of assuming that the “healthy” person has some non-obvious issue (Mom looked healthy as a horse, for example, until you tried to get her to walk more than 1 mph), and let the police sort things out. There are plenty of jerks in the world, no need to add to the headcount :smiley:

25

Here in CT, there seems to be a law (or possibly a tax incentive) relating to the number of handicapped spaces based on the size of an organization’s parking lot.

A minister lives on our street and years ago, told me how a contractor newly paved and white-lined the church’s lot. In the process, the contractor neglected to mark sufficient spots for the handicapped. Somehow,the Rev found out in time, corrected the problem and saved big bucks, he said.

26

Naah, it sounds fairly reasonable to me. Usually there aren’t enough spots, not too many. I don’t think you’d cross into assishness unless you wanted all but those two removed or something, since you never know who might visit the building.

As for being lucky to not need one, you never know…bwahahaha! (No, I’m not making dire predictions, but heck, you could break a freakin’ leg and need one for a few months!)

27

I thought the original purpose of handicapped parking spaces was to allow a wide enough space so that someone with a van and electric ramp could open the door and unfold it. Any truth to that?

Because there does seem to be different levels of need within the group of people qualified for a handicapped parking permit.

28

Some people can control this with meds, but they can also be passengers and still use the placard.

29

The local grocery store has handicapped spots where the handicapped symbol is painted in every other space, with diagonal stripes painted on the spots between the spaces.

Unfortunately - some dimwits (with or without tags/plates) park on the sections where the lines are, least partially defeating the purpose of the spaces. (the aforementioned “extra room” to fully open doors/ drop down a chair lift) Grrrrrr …

30

Ivylad has a handicapped sticker. I’d say it’s about 50/50 that he’s able to find a vacant spot. Here in Florida you have to have a tag hanging from your review mirror or a license plate. One time when he forgot to hang his tag he got hit with a huge fine and a ticket. He had to go prove he had a handicap placard, and they still hit him with a $25 for “failing to display.” Fortunately, no one has said anything to him, because I would promptly rip them to shreds.

And neuroman, yeah, you were a jerk. You had no need of a handicapped space and were using your friend’s plates to use a space you were not entitled to so you wouldn’t get wet and cold. Please don’t do it again.

Jeez, I’m even scared to use the handicapped stalls in bathrooms. I respect the hell out of handicapped parking spaces, because there but for the grace of Og go I.

31

I think the general consensus on the board concerning toilet stalls is that if there isn’t somebody in a wheelchair in the bathroom, go for it. Though I don’t use them if I’m going to be more than about thirty seconds anyway.

My SO tends to forget that we can use the spots when I’m in the car, and I’ve had to point out to him more than once that this parking lot is way huge and way full but there’s two empty handicap spots that he just drove right by. sigh He’s a sweetie though.

32

I have a minor superstition that if I park in handicapped spaces I will one day be handicapped. That is more than enough to keep me from ever parking in one.

33

I would say i can never recall a time, when all the handicapped parks have been taken, there is ALWAYS at least one, mainly all free, when i am at a shopping centre in Auckland. I guess in a city with only 1 .4 million people there is less types of people in every category then where a lot of you are from. having said that, if there are 4 four handicapped parks, and you are in need of dashing in quickly to get something, only going to be about 5 mins max, and you just cannot find a regular park, the chance of those 4 spots being needed in the time are so minmal, i would be willing to take the chance… in theory, when i comes down to it i never do… Gotta admit it is tempting though, becuase realistically its not going to harm anyone else, just benefit you.

Does thinking about doing it make you a jerk?

34

I don’t really see that too much around here but what I do see in rainy weather are people parking in the fire lanes creating a hazrd for everyone including handicapped people.
This pisses me off to no end because somehow they’ve managed to reason to themselves that their luxury comes at everyone elses expense.
Also, isn’t it nice that they put the handicap parking spaces so close to the grocery store when the important things like milk and bread are always at the back of the building.

:confused:

35

I finally decided it was time and went to my primary care doc for handicapped plates. The good thing is I had no trouble getting the paperwork signed. The bad thing is I had no trouble getting the paperwork signed.

I elected to get the plates for my van, of which I am the primary driver, and a hanging placard, in case I am in another vehicle. Mr Bear never takes advantage of the plates unless I am in the van too, and if he drops me off at the door, he still doesn’t park in a handicapped space. Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and he isn’t the one who is handicapped. To look at me, you would probably not know anything is wrong. (Physically, anyway. :stuck_out_tongue: ) Until you see me trying to walk more than a few feet, or you get to know me and know what all is going on with me. I have many health challenges, none of which are outwardly evident unless you know me well. I’m sure if I asked, I could get another cane, or a walker, or possibly even a scooter. But, while I can, I intend to get around under my own power for as long as possible.

The downside to that I’ve found has been that I get the dirty looks and the nasty comments meant for me to overhear, etc. I’m fairly young, and like Dignan, appear quite healthy behind the wheel driving. But walking a quarter mile is an accomplishment for me, paid in pain; and standing more than 10 minutes on any surface causes excruciating pain in my lower spine. Even seeing me limp away from my van, I still get dirty looks and sometimes nasty comments when I’m by myself, though rarely when hubby is with me or one of my kids.

Please don’t accost someone parking in a handicapped space; they may well need it and have the legal right to be there, regardless of their appearance. If you’re concerned, though, feel free to call the non emergency line and report them. It hasn’t happened to me yet, but I wouldn’t mind at all being asked to prove that my handicapped plates are indeed for me and no one else. It irks me no end to see healthy people bounce out of a car in a handicapped space and run off to wherever, when I have to park out a long ways because there were no more spaces left close to the building. GRRRRRR. By all means, call them on it by calling it in. I do. But I don’t confront people in person. Looks can be deceiving, as I know all too well.

As to bathroom stalls… I use a handicapped one whenever I can, but mostly because it seems more and more, the other stalls are so tiny I can barely fit in them, and/or have to straddle the toilet just to close the door. I’m not a hugely obese person, but I’m not a size 6 either. Also, toilets very low to the floor are hard for me, awkward. (Anything below my knee level is probably too close to the floor to suit my back.) So, for those reasons I prefer the handicapped stalls now, unless I see someone in a wheelchair or with a cane. Now aren’t you glad you brought that topic up, ivylass? :wink:

Thank you for this thread, Mint Julep. It does my heart good to read the comments here. And yes, it is extremely thoughtless of some people to take a handicapped space just because they are lazy or because of the weather. Those of us who need the spaces really do need them, and many of us also need the extra space in the parking space and around it, to maneuver wheelchairs, etc. You can bet your bottom dollar that I would not use a handicapped space if I did not need it. In fact, since in my case distance is a much bigger issue than space around my van, if there is a parking space that’s closer to the door than an open handicapped space (yes, it is somewhat common here in Texas at least) then I park there, and leave the h. spaces for those in wheelchairs, etc.

36

I’ve often wondered if the people who think that using a handicapped space because there’s supposedly not much chance of a handicapped person actually needing it would also not mind if someone parked in their own assigned parking space or driveway or in such a way that their car is blocked, given that the trespasser only needs it for a little while.

Of course, the people who take the handicapped spot when they aren’t entitled, or park in someone’s assigned space, or block someone in, always know for an indisputable fact, that NOTHING is going to make their “5 minute” errand take longer than 5 minutes. NOTHING, absolutely nothing, could delay them in the least. They know with an absolute certainty that the line isn’t going to be long, that they aren’t going to fall down inside and hurt themselves, that they won’t see an old friend and start talking - nope, there is no possible way in the universe that the 5-minute errand could take any longer than 5 minutes. And who cares if someone has to wait for their rightful handicapped spot or assigned space or driveway for 5 minutes? It’s only 5 minutes, right? Why shouldn’t I want some random stranger to park in my driveway while I sit there idling waiting to get in? He’s only taking what is supposed to be mine for a second! I shouldn’t be so selfish.

37

We (as a society) are so high-minded, yes? Here we are, coming to the defense of the handicapped. We feel so good about ourselves when we call the cops for the big offense of swiping a handicapped parking spot. We are the eyes and ears of the community! We shall punish the evildoers! We shall make them pay, pay, pay!

In the meantime, do we pick up the trash in the parking lot on our way into the store? Do we ask our lawmakers why the lights are left on in our state buildings 24 hours a day, 365 days a year? On a very basic level, how much an effort do we make to be courteous to one another?

We seem to spend an awful lot of time, energy, human resources and sheer bloody indignation on handicapped-parking miscreants. You know what? I’m not going to check for the plates or the cards or whatever identification such a vehicle is supposed to display. I’ll allow the people who need those spots to fight that fight. The disabled are functioning, productive, resourceful members of our society who probably can get along quite well without the services of cell phone-wielding citizen-officers of the law.

Those on patrol can tell their I-nailed-a non-handicapped-parker tales over dinner. Myself, I’ll do my part quietly, in small ways, without glee over another’s punishment.

38

Maybe it varies from place to place, My mother lives in Canberra and was recently talking about the lack of handicapped parking there. At one major shopping centre there are two spots. In Sydney the situation is entirely different - I recently went to a shopping centre wehere there were no empty spots exxcept for about 8 handicapped spaces. I don’t think that I have ever seen all the handicapped spots used at the shopping centre I use because there are about 6 near every entrance. Most shopping centres in Sydney even have restricted parking for mother swith children close to the doors.

So although I wouldn’t park in the handicapped spot farthest from the door if all were vacant I wouldn’t be able to summon up any fury about someone else doing it. I parked in a handicapped spot by accident a couple of years ago (I simply didn’t see the sign) and had some officious turd start telling me he would call the police although there were probably 3 cars parked in an 80 space parking lot. I moved my car so that he didn’t have a stroke but I informed him that he better be more careful about expressing his anger in future, there’s a lot of crazies out there.

39

People, if you’re not handicapped then don’t park in the spot. Don’t even think about it. I am lucky lucky lucky (knock on wood) to be healthy and not need a placard, and I will walk from wherever and you should too. Be grateful for what you’ve got.

As for the bathroom, if there isn’t someone waiting for it, use the damn handicapped stall - better than doing the peepee dance. Besides, as has been noted before in threads like this;

Often the handicapped stall is where the diaper changing thingy is.
And even if you’re not handicapped, but old/infirm/whatever the handicapped stall is the only one with any room.
Besides, it’s peeing. It’s 30 seconds, and it’s a lot more urgent than milk/cookies/what-have-you.

40

Amazing how people can get so worked up, over someone contemplating doing something, which has such a minimal chance of affecting anyone, and even on the minute chance, the affect would only be a slight inconvenience. I can only imagine the great good you have done the world, given your exceptional social conscience.