HANDICAP PARKING RANT

[snubbyfan]

Ok, I gotta say it.
There are those who don't bother trying. My wife's a home health care aid and takes care of people who have lost their mobility. The reason is because they just sit on their ever spreading bottoms until they have problems walking and end up in wheelchairs. There's nothing physically wrong with them, yet with the help of their family doctor, they get disability benefits.
In my personal experience, my neurologist wanted to put me in an electric wheelchair. I didn't feel it necessary and he told me that most people with my degree of immobility choose the wheelchair. I've found that if I exercise, eat right, watch my diet and keep myself healthy, I can still get around. Yeah, I walk kinda funny and I have problems stepping off curbs but I'm still on my feet.
It just kinda blows my mind that people will allow themselves to become wheelchair bound.
Last summer when I was working on relearning how to walk, using the muscles that still work, I got blisters on my feet, sore, swollen ankles and sore knees. In fact, I've developed arthritis in my right knee. Those months of pain paid off. I just gotta keep it up. I intend to stay on my feet as long as possible. According to my sister, I'm just in denial and should get the electric wheelchair. Screw that.
Some days are better than others but I figure If I'm going to be walking around a store shopping then I can walk across a parking lot to get there without parking in a handicapped spot.

 

[Xtasy]

We have a Bruno lift we no longer need. Are you near Eastern
Iowa??

\Sounds like another great story to happen

 

[timn8er]

I hear you Snubbyfan. When I was in the hospital a couple of years back, getting my life changed forever, at one point the medical team was discussing the possibility of me being in a wheelchair or needing a scooter when I left the hospital. This was before my rehab had even started, & I was in sad shape. After the team left the room, one of the rehab therapists came back & told me "Just between you & me...If you get into a wheelchair or a scooter, you'll probably never get out of it. Its going to take a lot of work, but all of the therapists believe we can get you walking again." And she was right.

 

[Sebago Son]

As for vandalizing someone else's car because they parked in that spot, I have to ask how you can do that and claim to be any better than them?

Curb Justice.

BTW, if you know Bruce at all, you wouldn't make a left handed crack like that. I think the punk got off light. I mean really. He only lost TWO valve stems.

 

[mkk41]

I guess I have no problem with anyone who got a placard from their doctor using a space. My problem is with the people who use their relatives placard or plates. I think they believe that gives them the right to use the spot. They don't seem to care that they are putting a hardship on someone else. It is also against the law.

Don't know about other states , but here in PA the HC placard is issued with an blue ID card for the handicapped person. I guess if a cop sees someone parked in a HC spot that walks just fine , they could ask to see it.

On a side note , I was at a Wegmans grand opening and noticed spots next to the HC spots "reserved for woman with small child".

Between that and the fancy racecar looking oversized shopping carts/carriages to push the lazy spoiled brats around in , it's no wonder kids are obese!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I admire your attitude, Subbyfan.

 

[Smoke]

Curb Justice.

BTW, if you know Bruce at all, you wouldn't make a left handed crack like that. I think the punk got off light. I mean really. He only lost TWO valve stems.

Leaving me to ask again what happens when the driver catches Bruce dispensing his "curb justice" and decides to hand out his own "curb justice" with a tire iron?

In fact as long as we're into "curb justice" is it OK if I pull your valve stems if I catch you speeding? After all I find that just as offensive as and far more dangerous than a parking violation.

ETA

"Curb Justice" is just a different name for the law of the jungle which is "I get to do whatever I'm bad enough to get away with." and it's the same law the guy that took the spot in the first place was operating under.

Either there's one law and it works for every one or there's no law.

 

[Sebago Son]

You're a funny Smoke... I sure wished you'd been around here a few years ago....

 

[gator68]

I'm a disabled veteran and have handicapped plates, but only use the handicapped parking spaces when I really need them. A couple of weeks ago, I was parking at the local big box sporting goods store when a big pick-up truck pulled into one of the handicapped parking spaces, and three young guys got out and started walking towards the store. An older woman began dressing them down for using a handicapped parking space when they didn't apparently need, and/or weren't authorized to use. The three young men let her finish her rant, and then politely wished her a nice day and resumed their trip towards the store. I believe it was only then that the older lady noticed that two of the three men had prosthetic legs, and the third one had a prosthetic arm. Oh, the pick-up truck? It not only had a "Purple Heart" license plate, but a "I served in Afghanistan" bumper sticker. The look on that lady's face was priceless. Those three guys may have been disabled, but they sure weren't handicapped. When I caught up with them inside the store, I not only thanked them for their service to our country, but for their kindness and patience towards the lady in the parking lot. They were very nice, and humble guys, and I wish them good luck and God speed.

Regards,

Dave

They didn't need the spot. They shouldn't have parked there unless they needed the curb cut or the extra space on the side for a wheelchair.

I appreciate it is hard to walk for many people, for many reasons. But if you're getting out of your car to walk through the store, how is the handicap spot really helping you? On the other hand, if you have to use a wheelchair, you absolutely need the extra space. You absolutely need access to the curb cut. That is the point of the handicap spots, not that they are closer.

 

[Smoke]

You're a funny Smoke... I sure wished you'd been around here a few years ago....

Why is that?

 

[zoom6zoom]

My foot doctor offered me a form to take to the DMV to get a tag but I turned him down. I'm short part of a foot and have chronic pain from neuropathy, but I figure I get around OK and there are a lot who need it much more than I do.

 

[hangnoose]

OBVIOUSLY NOT DISABLED

Unless you have ESP or X-ray vision you really can't tell all the time by a quick look. my limp is not always that obvious and if going into a store with carts, they work better than the cane, + I always seem to leave the cane in the shopping cart so I go without it. If someone asks me WHAT MY DISABILITY IS? Normally I will respond with, my condition is none of your business but would gladly trade places with you. If it bothers you that much call the cops, just don't hold your breath waiting for them, as I'm sure they often have bigger priorities. It ticks me off also esp at hospitals, nursing homes and Dr's offices

 

[steelslaver]

My son Has cerebral palsy and although walking is very difficult for him he refuses to park in a handicap spot because someone who is really handicapped might need it. My late girl friend had a sever stroke and recovered from it somewhat and could walk. But, stumbled easily and tired quickly. I used them for her. It does frost my but when those who don't need them use them. I think some get placards for poor reasons and others play fast and loose with them. When my sweety died, I never used hers again and tossed it. I also never used it unless she was with me. SHAME ON THOSE WHO ABUSE THIS.

HOORAY FOR THE VETS WHO NEVER GOT INTO IT WITH THE LADY.

 

[Brian41]

My temporary one just expired a few days ago and I won't be renewing it as I'm healing up from my recent back surgery and the extra walking will do me good. My doctor will renew it should my condition worsen but I'm hoping for the best.
I worked for a superstore and repaired their electric carts. Problem with them was usually from them carrying more weight than they were made for and being left outdoors in the elements. If you use one please leave them inside if possible or have a service person go with you so it can be returned without exposure to rain and snow. When you find they're out of them remember they were probably abused and now broken down. Done now with my personal peeve about them.

 

[labworm]

The problem with that would be people who need them on a temporary basis.

A temp sticker on the plate would work, at least it would be attached to the correct vehicle, not the wife's, cousin's, nephew's.

Sebago Son, I believe I am aware of this "Curb Justice" thing you speak of.

 

[tlay]

I hear a few of you who believe that unless a person is in a wheelchair that they should not be allowed to park in these spots. Have you ever had a broken back, cerebral palsy, severe arthritis, or any number of ailments that make any walking very difficult?
As the old saying goes walk in my shoes. You are healthy and have NO idea how difficult of a day we have. I would give every thing I own to go back to what I was. If a person is given a placard or plate by his doctor then he or she has every right to use these spots. We need to stop the people who borrow these placards from using them.

 

[Capt Steve]

A number of years ago the San Diego PD set up at the Sunday Chargers game. the large handicapped only lot right next to the stadium holds about 100 cars. They swooped down on every car as it arrived and found about 90% of them had a placard belonging to someone not in the vehicle (grandma, aunts moms whatever). Everyone of these bozos went home with the ticket which I believe was something north of $400!

 

[tlay]

If all states started cracking down harder and fining these lazy people then this might stop. Sorry if I sound mean but I saw the same thing happen again today. A young man parked in another handicap spot and RAN into the store. Unbelievable!

 

[mkk41]

A number of years ago the San Diego PD set up at the Sunday Chargers game. the large handicapped only lot right next to the stadium holds about 100 cars. They swooped down on every car as it arrived and found about 90% of them had a placard belonging to someone not in the vehicle (grandma, aunts moms whatever). Everyone of these bozos went home with the ticket which I believe was something north of $400!

Hopefully they confiscated the placard too.

 

[jackvs1]

As a former Trooper the worst excuse I heard was that I am just parking here for a few minutes and if a handicapped person needed the space I would move. My response was: Are handicapped drivers supposed to get out and ask you to move; they see a car parked in the spot and drive on; guaranteed ticket for the loser not supposed to be parking in the handicapped spot.