Do healthy people parking in handicapped spaces anoy you?

[ewave]

So I'm eating lunch and I have a view of the restaurant parking lot. There are two handicapped parking spaces right in front. Halfway through my meal a car pulls up into one of the handicapped spots, and four women get out. All in their twenties, all healthy, all dressed in the same sort of medical style uniform. All of them below average looks.

The car doesn't have handicapped plates, but there is a handicapped blue sign hanging from the inside mirror.

Now I'm not a fan of government mandated handicapped spaces (I'd rather let free enterprise work that one out). I'm even more annoyed with people who use these that have no visible physical handicaps.

The healthy foursome walk down the sidewalk and enter a different restaurant. I finish my lunch over the next 20 minutes. I say goodbye to my friend and walk out... And look at the car... Check the rear plate: standard.

I have been challenging myself recently to not be such a pussy, and to be more assertive. I think: I'm going to find this group and confront them on their parking in the handicapped spot.

I walk into the adjacent restaurant and I'm greeted by the host. I ignore him, look around and spy the foursome... Actually now it's 10 women all wearing the same outfit, all crammed elbow to elbow into this space designed for about six people. The hottest girl there was maybe a 5.

With an aggressive, assertive and righteous demeanor I walk up and say, "Is anyone here handicapped?"

The girl who was driving says, "Yeah, me."

I'm thinking-- Yeah, right. I tell her about how my sister has a friend with MS, and they are always having problems finding handicapped spaces because people are parking in them who don't really have handicaps...

The girl now says, "I've got cancer."

The table goes deadly quiet as does whole restaurant. I can hear the crickets in the field nearby. Not one, not two, not three, but all TEN girls are staring at me with daggers in their eyes. I feel the blood drain from my face as I turn a ghostly white.

I look at her and eek out... "Well, ahhh... Good luck with that."

I make a hasty retreat out the door and to my car.

How's that for public humiliation?

[stomachmonkey]

doh!

To answer your original question yeah it bugs me.

But if they have the tag then I leave it alone because as you found out the handicap may not be so apparent.

My father had a tag, definately needed it but definately did not look like he did.

[masraum]

Yeah, I read an Ann Landers column once about something similar from the other point of view.

A young guy wrote in to say that people often give him crap for parking in a handicapped spot. The deal is that the guy has Muscular Dystrophy. Because of his MD, he works out a lots and was young, so he looked really fit. He did that to help counter act his MD. The problem is that because of his issue, he had very low stamina so walking from out at the end of the parking lot would leave him exhausted.

Can't always judge a book by it's cover.

Still, I know that there are lots of folks that have tags that don't need them. You never know, this chick still could have been screwing with you. Maybe she once had skin cancer, but was able to turn that into a tag despite no real reason for it, or maybe not.

We did have a judge here a while back show up in the paper because she was found to have a tag under her mother's name. The sad thing (besides a dishonest, fraud judge) is the fact that her mother had been dead for something like 6 years.

You just never can tell.

But nice try.

[rouxroux]

You just never know. I have a blue tag although I seldom use it (I've got more metal in my right leg/foot than most American cars do). Usually, I don't have any problems. Some mornings, I take 1 step out of bed and just about fall flat on my face because nothing "works right" Some days I feel like I need Zerk fittings. You never can tell what type of problems some folks might be facing, sometimes they are not obvious. I don't "take advantage" of the parking often, but it's good to know I can if it's going to be a chore to get around.

[daepp]

I'm sorry, but I don't care what you have. Unless it is painful, life threatening or embarrassing to park somewhere else, you should. As the son of a man who walked on crutches and leg braces (from polio), and who avoided all pretenses to being handicapped until he was 70ish, those spaces should be highly limited - you better really need or your an ass!

[Oh Haha]

My Mom is in a similar siutation as she has had a triple bypass and gets winded very fast while walking.

Back when I had a different hotrod I took Mom out to eat. She has a parking permit for the mirror.

While we are getting out, a couple walks by and says something about not looking handicapped.

Well, I had a long day so wasn;t in the greatest of moods anyway. As I held the door open for this couple, I asked if they had a problem with Mom being handicapped. The wife let out with a flurry of pretty horrible comments about not needeing the space, etc.

About this time, the entire diner is looking at us so I suggested that Mom open her shirt to show the freakin' scar from her surgery. Thank goodness she didn't but the mouthy wench did shut the f*&^ up!!

Did I mention that the diner owners knew my parents from eating there for years? They had even sent a card to the hospital.

I do check if I see someone without a tag using a space. Only once did I encounter a faker. I suggested he move his car or the store might do it for him. He was actually pretty cool about it as we ended upin the same checkout line later.

[on-ramp]

that should teach you to mind your own business

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by on-ramp

that should teach you to mind your own business

I heard that if someone looks in Wikipedia that under the page "dick" there is a photo of our own Off Ramp, sitting there reading Craigs List while riding the motorcycle.

[on-ramp]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

I heard that if someone looks in Wikipedia that under the page "dick" there is a photo of our own Off Ramp, sitting there reading Craigs List while riding the motorcycle.

hey man, did you just get off a plane or something? are you a little uneven from jet lag? why u trying to pick a fight?

[slodave]

I find it really annoying as well, but if they have a handicap card, I let it go. I used to get really pissed at people that would hang the card and walk away as if they had no problem. Some article I read mentioned that sometimes, the person that uses the card can have good days and bad. I have yelled at people for parking in the spot and have no card. I did this when I was with my old bosses dad - who does have a card. We could not park in the spot, because some idiot pulled in to let his wife pick up some food (we were at El Pollo Loco). He was very sorry and tried to come up with excuses on why he parked there. I made him feel terrible, but he never did move. I was about to slash his tires.

In high school, I had knee surgery and was eligible for a temp card, but turned it down. My high school was on a hill and student parking was at the bottom. Administration said it was OK for me to park at the top of the hill, in the handicap spot, but since I did not have a card, a concerned parent left a nice (karma police) note on my window.

[idontknow]

In Florida people with cancers, broken legs, or recovering from injuries can apply for a temporary (red) handicapped parking sign. They're good for 3 months, 6 months or 1 year and cannot be renewed.

Nowadays if you want a handicapped placard you somply hire a bum for $20 to steal one out of someones car.

[cool_chick]

I find it annoying as well, those who don't need it (though we're learning here, we shouldn't judge, I suppose)?

I also have one that hangs on the mirror. I will never use it when my mother is not with me, or even when I'm just running in somewhere (with mom waiting in the car). I'm eternally grateful I don't have to use it, I'm so grateful I can easily walk from the back of the parking lot. My mom wishes she didn't need it, she would give anything to not need it.....

That being said, sometimes we go to the mall. We'll buy some things, then I'll run it to the car and put it in the trunk while she waits in the mall. When I do that, I"m real quick about it, and I'm looking around, wondering if someone's going to think that I'm some loser-abuser or something.......LOL

[Jim Bremner]

wife has M.S. so blue tag


I'm recovering from breaking off me right heel,a junk out of the same ankle, crushing vertabrae t-10 to 1/2 of it's height and seperating a few ribs.

My red tag runs out Oct 1

I can't walk right or far.

the space has been a blessing. the extra width to open a car door REALY helps getting out of a car.


I'll miss it in a month.

[96740]

If your able to walk without the use of crutches, walkers or anything of the sort and have both your legs. You should not have a placard.

If you get winded after only a few feet. You shouldn't be driving.

And...If you have a placard. Your not allowed to park in our spots. Just wait for the next Handicap spot to open up. If we can't park in your spot, you shouldn't be parking in ours.

90% of the people here in California that have Handicap stickers/placards are full of SH#@!

Damn, I think my clothes are tearing! I've got to go.

[cool_chick]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

the space has been a blessing. the extra width to open a car door REALY helps getting out of a car.

This right here is the most important. My mother has a cane and walks very, very slow (several types of arthritis), but I need to get her walking. She can't go too long, but I don't want her using a wheelchair. She needs to walk. It's not the distance, ...but she can't bend her legs easily and getting out of the car is very difficult. The space is an absolute must.

[cool_chick]

Originally Posted by 96740

And...If you have a placard. Your not allowed to park in our spots. Just wait for the next Handicap spot to open up. If we can't park in your spot, you shouldn't be parking in ours.

LOL yeah right.

It's too bad you don't appreciate the gift of health that you have...

[gprsh924]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

I heard that if someone looks in Wikipedia that under the page "dick" there is a photo of our own Off Ramp, sitting there reading Craigs List while riding the motorcycle.

hahahahahahhahahahahahahaha

[pwd72s]

As many here know, my bride Cindy has MS. She has good days, she has bad days. Thankfully, she can walk, but not far, on most days. It's up to her whether or not we hang the tag from the mirror.

Others? If the tag is there? Well...your call. But if you got in my bride's face, you might find me all over your ass...

[LeeH]

I was walking across campus when I was in college. I noticed a car flying across the very full parking lot. It screeched to a stop in the handicap spot right in front of me. The driver quickly hung a blue pacard on the mirror, opened the door and took off running at a full sprint, apparently late for class. Just blew me away.

The Phoenix police has a citizen volunteer program that lets people sign up to write tickets for handicap violations. I could see this being a great source of entertainment for a retiree.

[Rick Lee]

Anyone see the Curb Your Enthusiam episode where Larry confronted someone like Paul did? The guy's handicap was a stuttering problem and he told Larry to fffffffff%ck off.

My gf's brother in high school had handicap license plates because his 80 yr. old grandfather registered the car in his name for the lower insurance (NJ). This kid was a star athlete and parked in handicap spots. Around here we even have spots reserved for pregnant ladies and new mothers - really.

I saw a crotch rocket bike in a handicap spot last weekend.