# Handicapped Parking (Poll) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746 "2022-11-11T14:56:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/1 "2022-11-11T14:56:33Z")
I know someone that had gotten a bad shoulder/back injury and was also diagnosed with Reynaud’s disease during his military service. He was eventually given 100% disability status by the military. This entitles him to a state-issued (Florida) Handicap license plate which he uses to park in handicapped parking spots. **This person now plays golf regularly.** Should a person that is legally handicapped but is able to walk and even play golf park in handicapped parking spaces? _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/2 "2022-11-11T15:28:17Z")
I voted “something else” so here’s the explanation. How can he golf with a back/shoulder injury? ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/3 "2022-11-11T15:31:09Z")
He got better, but he still goes for steroid injections periodically. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/4 "2022-11-11T15:35:55Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > He got better, but he still goes for steroid injections periodically. - I’d say, on “moral” grounds, he shouldn’t be using it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/5 "2022-11-11T15:36:54Z")
I voted “something else” becuase I don’t think it’s black and white and “if he can golf he can walk.” I can imagine some conditions that wax and wane for example. Generally I agree that people shouldn’t take a handicapped spot if they don’t need it. Still, if legally entitled it’s a relatively minor ethical offense (unless it’s the last available spot perhaps). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/6 "2022-11-11T15:41:52Z")
I speak as someone who can and has approved many patients for handicapped parking status. There are many disabilities, quite a few of which are not obviously apparent, where the person’s health greatly benefits from observing physical restrictions. Playing “guess who’s really disabled” is a cruel and futile game, unless one has **all** the medical facts. My youngest child has been confronted a few times by folks who feel she doesn’t deserve a handicap tag, as they don’t note any difficulty/deformity/dysfunction. They don’t see her implanted access port, her infusion devices, or evidence of damaged lungs and nerves. She can usually walk a distance, but if she pushes it too much, she will suffer. Trying to identify handicap tag abusers is like trying to ferret out voter fraud. One ends up depriving far more legitimate folks of their right than catches the cheaters. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/7 "2022-11-11T15:45:33Z")
My mother has fibromyalgia, and uses a handicapped parking placard. Yes, she’s absolutely entitled to it. She can walk short distances, but she usually can’t go through a Walmart without using a Smart Cart. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/8 "2022-11-11T15:49:18Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Playing “guess who’s really disabled” is a cruel and futile game, unless one has **all** the medical facts. ^^^ This is why I voted the “I have no objection to his using the tag to park in the disabled spot” option. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/9 "2022-11-11T16:07:16Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > One ends up depriving far more legitimate folks of their right than catches the cheaters. I get that, and I’m not interested in catching cheaters. This subject has generated arguments in the Watering household and I’m just wondering if my opinion is justified or not. For the record, I believe that he shouldn’t use handicapped spots. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/10 "2022-11-11T16:28:58Z")
Voted no; but want to add a couple of caveats: 1. I presume you mean the person plays golf in the ordinary fashion. Isn’t it possible to ride from tee to tee instead of walking? It seems to me that someone who can only be on their feet briefly, long enough to swing, but who can’t walk very far could play golf, if probably not professionally. 2. Some people have good days and bad days. Somebody who’s up to playing golf on a good day might not be up to walking across the parking lot on a bad day; let alone both walking across the parking lot and doing the shopping. 3. Unless you’re close friends with the person, and maybe even then, I wouldn’t say anything about it; because, as has been said, challenging people on this generally does more harm than good. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/11 "2022-11-11T16:31:12Z")
Many (most?) golfers ride in carts and so don’t have to walk much at all. I’d have no problem with this guy using handicapped parking spaces. Now, if he’s doing [velcro jumping](https://www.jumphouses.com/games/velcro-wall/), that’s another story. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/12 "2022-11-11T16:32:26Z")
I voted “something else”. Just because someone legally _can_ do something, doesn’t mean they should. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/13 "2022-11-11T16:35:41Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Voted no; but want to add a couple of caveats: > > 1. I presume you mean the person plays golf in the ordinary fashion. Isn’t it possible to ride from tee to tee instead of walking? It seems to me that someone who can only be on their feet briefly, long enough to swing, but who can’t walk very far could play golf, if probably not professionally. > 2. Some people have good days and bad days. Somebody who’s up to playing golf on a good day might not be up to walking across the parking lot on a bad day; let alone both walking across the parking lot and doing the shopping. I voted yes for just those reasons. Going against the specificity of the options perhaps, but I didn’t like their slant. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/14 "2022-11-11T16:38:06Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Playing “guess who’s really disabled” is a cruel and futile game, unless one has **all** the medical facts. I could not agree more. You tell ‘em, doc! > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Trying to identify handicap tag abusers is like trying to ferret out voter fraud. One ends up depriving far more legitimate folks of their right than catches the cheaters. Agree heartily again. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/15 "2022-11-11T16:50:47Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > This entitles him to This is the thing that stands out for me - is it the law in Florida that _anything_ that disqualifies you for the military as handicapped also gets you handicap status for parking? Because I wouldn’t agree with _that_. But… I don’t see a necessary connection between playing golf and not being handicapped, so given the status of the actual individual, I don’t have a problem with them parking in a handicap spot. > [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > Handicap parking spots are intended for those who can’t walk or have a hard time walking any distance Those are not the only reasons someone might need to use handicap parking. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/16 "2022-11-11T17:01:34Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Those are not the only reasons someone might need to use handicap parking. What other reasons? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/17 "2022-11-11T17:20:49Z")
Well, being legally blind, for one thing. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/18 "2022-11-11T17:27:55Z")
I cannot agree strongly enough with @Qadgop_the_Mercotan (and @BippityBoppityBoo 's assent). I would have to ask myself why I feel so sure that I know more than the physician who declared this person eligible for the handicapped placard in the first place. [And – as I’ve said elsewhere – I’m literally dying _because of_ people who thought they knew more about my medical circumstances than my doctors and I do. Some risk, no material reward in making this kind of unfounded judgment.] ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/19 "2022-11-11T17:35:32Z")
I, too, am with @Qadgop_the_Mercotan . Years ago I had a foot surgery. It was just a bunionectomy and osteotomy. I would be rehabbing for a few weeks. It was long ago and I don’t remember how long I was rehabbing. I got a temporary handicapped placard for “just in case” I needed it at some point. I used it only a few times but I was grateful to have had it. It can be easy for an observer to wrongly assume, Hey you’re not disabled why do you have that placard? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746/20 "2022-11-11T17:35:41Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I’d say, on “moral” grounds, he shouldn’t be using it. Ditto. But I don’t think the state needs to be checking up just to make sure he still deserves the plate, though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-poll/974746.md?page=2)