Use of Disabled Parking

[Guest guest]

I don't think that the use of a wheelchair, mechanical conveyance or

crutches is a requirement in the State of Colorado for the use of the

reserved-for-disabled spaces. For instance, I have two friends who are

amputees (leg), who work very hard at the appearance of what they consider

" normal " . Yet their prostheses are in both cases uncomfortable and in one

case extremely painful if they need to walk long distances.

I have yet another friend with an impaired back. While he normally appears

straight and mobile, it's not unusual for him to finish a walking session

bent and crippled looking, and in great pain.

All three of my " handicapped " friends make use of the reserved parking

spaces. Most people would be challenged to see any visible signs of

impaired mobility, unless you saw them return to their car after walking

throughout the mall.

So I'm not quick to judge the people who park in the reserved spaces based

on first appearances. The privilege of parking in reserved-for-disabled

spaces is probably abused, but the practice may not be as widespread as you

may think.

Madeline Chen

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Madeline Chen

Project Consultant

719-338-6757

[Guest guest]

Here is a comment on disabled parking from another listserv. I have received

several such letters commenting on how often disabled permits are loaned to

able-bodied folk wanting to make quick or convenient visits to busy shopping

malls, so apparently this practice is not as rare as Madeline Chen suggests.

<I read Mel Siff's commentary about none handicapped people parking in

handicap spaces and must say that I agree.

Here in Florida it's very easy to have little or no disability and get a

handicap parking permit. People joke about how easy it is.

One observation I've made several times is that people will borrow use a

handicap sticker of a relative whose disabled. Some will even admit to it

but justify it because they are only running into the store for a few minutes

and don't have the time to park way out in a parking lot somewhere...... It's

absolutely disgusting the way people abuse handicap parking and make a joke

out of it. >

Dr Mel C Siff

Denver, USA