Re: Venting about disabled parking...

[Guest guest]

Daphne vents about disabled parking...

Daphne I totally side with you and your vent. Handicap parking places

are exactly that; to help people with whatever special needs to get

around like everyone else that might not be encumbered in many number of

ways that allow for use of handicapped parking.

Like many of us here, I have a handicap placard for parking. In most

cases I need it. There is a legal case that I am required to use it or I

can be and in fact have been, cited for not using a handicapped parking

spot. It really helps with my RSD in bad weather, to be close to a

building, not having to walking over ice and the like. But, the legal

reason being, I am blind. I use a guide dog to get around. The laws here

for loading and unloading a guide dog are the same as for a handicapped

driver with a motorized wheel chair. But, so many times, for example

WalMart, there are no handicapped parking spots. The same when I go to

downtown Colorado Springs for activities. There are no handicapped

parking spots. I will instruct my driver to find the closest spot for me

or a spot I know for orientation.

On more than one occasion, I have had one of our friendly police

officers come and instruct that I am improperly

unloading a guide dog, that being, not in a handicapped spot. I politely

explain that there are no handicapped spots so therefore, his threat of

citation is improper. This is my vent. I need the spot for unloading or

loading my guide dog and for orientation reasons. None are found. Yet, I

am the one being threatened with citation! Go figure!

This is the wild west mentatility of the City of Colorado Springs. I

could go on with other interesting stories I have encountered in my

travels as a handicapped, blind person with guide dog here in this city.

I will save those for another vent!

BTW, I have complained to the appropriate city officials but to no

avail. On one occasion, I was cited, went to court, with witness and

info to prove my position, the judge dismissed the citation, yet it was

my hassle! Ken - Colorado Springs

[Guest guest]

Ken wrote:

> BTW, I have complained to the appropriate city officials but to no

> avail. On one occasion, I was cited, went to court, with witness and

> info to prove my position, the judge dismissed the citation, yet it

> was > my hassle! Ken - Colorado Springs

*****************************************************************

Hi Ken,

I just sent a e-mail question to your city planners. I told them I

was planning a visit to your city soon and wondered about their

policies regarding handicap parking...I asked a few questions, we

will see how they respond and I will pass the answer on to you if you

don't mind...that is...if they answer..some don't you know..

I did mention the American's with disability act also....we will see..

God's best to you..

Daphne

[Guest guest]

Daphne Fernandez wrote:

> Hello Everyone,

> I am going to vent a bit about disabled parking. here is my little

> tale of woe...

Good story. :-)

You'll be pleased to know that I bailed up someone myself the other week.

A bloke pulled in next to me, I was parked next to a disabled parking

bay. As soon as he turned the engine off he threw a disabled parking

sticker onto his dashboard for display.

Now this man got out of his car, (I was just resting with my bum on my

door arms folded and watching to see if he was indeed disabled in

anyway.) As he limberly sprung out of his car he was 6'++, strong,

robust, legs like a runner, about 48 yrs old.

" You bloody bastard. " I thought. There was an half empty car park all

around us. He had no thought or care about what a person who might need

the extra wide space for a wheelchair or might need to be closer to the

shops due to a disability!

You guessed it. I said to him as he got out of his car. " You don't look

very disabled to me. that space is for disabled... " He said. " I have

put a sticker there can't you see it? " Me: " You aren't disabled that's

not your sticker. " gods I wished I had my video, he was prancing and

leaping and waving about. And you know the worst part about these

morons. This bloke was heading in the other direction! Yes! He walked

right past all the empty car spaces to go the other way!

Don't worry. I'll always say my piece to these selfish nincumpoops!

Sharon.

[Guest guest]

Daphne Fernandez wrote:

> Hello Everyone,

> I am going to vent a bit about disabled parking. here is my little

> tale of woe...

Good story. :-)

You'll be pleased to know that I bailed up someone myself the other week.

A bloke pulled in next to me, I was parked next to a disabled parking

bay. As soon as he turned the engine off he threw a disabled parking

sticker onto his dashboard for display.

Now this man got out of his car, (I was just resting with my bum on my

door arms folded and watching to see if he was indeed disabled in

anyway.) As he limberly sprung out of his car he was 6'++, strong,

robust, legs like a runner, about 48 yrs old.

" You bloody bastard. " I thought. There was an half empty car park all

around us. He had no thought or care about what a person who might need

the extra wide space for a wheelchair or might need to be closer to the

shops due to a disability!

You guessed it. I said to him as he got out of his car. " You don't look

very disabled to me. that space is for disabled... " He said. " I have

put a sticker there can't you see it? " Me: " You aren't disabled that's

not your sticker. " gods I wished I had my video, he was prancing and

leaping and waving about. And you know the worst part about these

morons. This bloke was heading in the other direction! Yes! He walked

right past all the empty car spaces to go the other way!

Don't worry. I'll always say my piece to these selfish nincumpoops!

Sharon.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon:

People who park in handicapped parking spaces and who are obviously not

handicapped really steam me too. One trait they all seem to share is a huge

sense of entitlement, as if they are so special and perfect that they can do

whatever they want. The rest of us must abide by the rules because we are just

small potatoes to them and not entitled to anything. In the parking areas

around here, folks without a sticker or a handicapped plate will pull into a

handicapped parking space like they own it. A friend of mine has an interesting

way of approaching such people. When she sees a non-handicapped person park in

a handicapped space, she walks over and says, " Well, I can immediately observe

what your handicap is - you are obviously unable to read. "

Sharon wrote:

You'll be pleased to know that I bailed up someone myself the other week.

A bloke pulled in next to me, I was parked next to a disabled parking

bay. As soon as he turned the engine off he threw a disabled parking

sticker onto his dashboard for display.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon:

People who park in handicapped parking spaces and who are obviously not

handicapped really steam me too. One trait they all seem to share is a huge

sense of entitlement, as if they are so special and perfect that they can do

whatever they want. The rest of us must abide by the rules because we are just

small potatoes to them and not entitled to anything. In the parking areas

around here, folks without a sticker or a handicapped plate will pull into a

handicapped parking space like they own it. A friend of mine has an interesting

way of approaching such people. When she sees a non-handicapped person park in

a handicapped space, she walks over and says, " Well, I can immediately observe

what your handicap is - you are obviously unable to read. "

Sharon wrote:

You'll be pleased to know that I bailed up someone myself the other week.

A bloke pulled in next to me, I was parked next to a disabled parking

bay. As soon as he turned the engine off he threw a disabled parking

sticker onto his dashboard for display.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon:

People who park in handicapped parking spaces and who are obviously not

handicapped really steam me too. One trait they all seem to share is a huge

sense of entitlement, as if they are so special and perfect that they can do

whatever they want. The rest of us must abide by the rules because we are just

small potatoes to them and not entitled to anything. In the parking areas

around here, folks without a sticker or a handicapped plate will pull into a

handicapped parking space like they own it. A friend of mine has an interesting

way of approaching such people. When she sees a non-handicapped person park in

a handicapped space, she walks over and says, " Well, I can immediately observe

what your handicap is - you are obviously unable to read. "

Sharon wrote:

You'll be pleased to know that I bailed up someone myself the other week.

A bloke pulled in next to me, I was parked next to a disabled parking

bay. As soon as he turned the engine off he threw a disabled parking

sticker onto his dashboard for display.

[Guest guest]

Sharon wrote:

> Now this man got out of his car, (I was just resting with my bum on

> my door arms folded and watching to see if he was indeed disabled in

> anyway.) As he limberly sprung out of his car he was 6'++, strong,

> robust, legs like a runner, about 48 yrs old.

Sharon -

This fellow may well have been taking advantage of someone else's

sticker. However, I would ask you to consider trying to refrain from

making judgments like this. You can't always tell what someone's

condition is from the outside.

I'm only 40, and I look fit and strong because I *was* very active

and athletic before my injury and surgery. I try hard *not* to limp

and wince and look hurt because I realize that those behaviors

contribute to my own perceptions of my pain levels. I've worked hard

through months of physical therapy to be able to walk in a way that

looks " normal. " But I have a disabled parking sticker for very good

reasons, including the fact that if I walk for more than the required

maximum distance for a sticker I lose feeling in my feet, risking a

fall, and I suffer increased pain, and I'm working hard to avoid more

serious nerve and spinal cord damage that may eventually put me in a

wheelchair permanently. My doctor and the state transportation

department have the information they need to make the determination

whether or not I qualify for handicapped parking, not anyone

observing in the parking lot. But you'd be amazed how many dirty

looks and out-and-out attacks I get just like what you described

doing. So, please, don't make assumptions just from appearances. But

if someone is parking in a space without the correct placard, feel

free to call the police and they will be towed!

Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

Sharon wrote:

> Now this man got out of his car, (I was just resting with my bum on

> my door arms folded and watching to see if he was indeed disabled in

> anyway.) As he limberly sprung out of his car he was 6'++, strong,

> robust, legs like a runner, about 48 yrs old.

Sharon -

This fellow may well have been taking advantage of someone else's

sticker. However, I would ask you to consider trying to refrain from

making judgments like this. You can't always tell what someone's

condition is from the outside.

I'm only 40, and I look fit and strong because I *was* very active

and athletic before my injury and surgery. I try hard *not* to limp

and wince and look hurt because I realize that those behaviors

contribute to my own perceptions of my pain levels. I've worked hard

through months of physical therapy to be able to walk in a way that

looks " normal. " But I have a disabled parking sticker for very good

reasons, including the fact that if I walk for more than the required

maximum distance for a sticker I lose feeling in my feet, risking a

fall, and I suffer increased pain, and I'm working hard to avoid more

serious nerve and spinal cord damage that may eventually put me in a

wheelchair permanently. My doctor and the state transportation

department have the information they need to make the determination

whether or not I qualify for handicapped parking, not anyone

observing in the parking lot. But you'd be amazed how many dirty

looks and out-and-out attacks I get just like what you described

doing. So, please, don't make assumptions just from appearances. But

if someone is parking in a space without the correct placard, feel

free to call the police and they will be towed!

Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

You know, when I got my first placard, it was so I could get in a parking

place that was wide enough for me to get my guide dog out, harness her up,

get my backpack, and whatever else I had to carry with me and not have to

worry about hitting the car next to me. The parking spaces seem to be

getting smaller and smaller. There was/is no way I can/could afford to fix

a ding in a $40-50,000 car let alone one that cost less. The only option

was a handicap parking place. Plus, there are too many people who do not

pay attention to those walking from farther distances from the farther back

parking places. I have almost been hit numerous times by people like that.

My guide dog was doing her job but there is only so far you can get to a

parked car's bumper.

Now, with the lupus and DJD, there is no way I can walk that far so my

placard really comes in handy now. It also irks me royally when someone

gets one that doesn't need it. I am forever hearing my mom, MIL, friends,

and other family members talk about how someone has parked in a handicap

parking place that just jumped out of the car/truck/etc and bounced right

into the store like they had all the energy in the world. Anyone with half

a brain knew they were using someone else's card.

What I can't understand is why someone would want to do this to begin with.

Don't they have any compassion for that person who actually needs that

parking spot?

sam

The trouble with making plans for the future, even when you can see the

future, is that fate has a way of intervening and upsetting the best laid

plans of mice and men.

- Burns 1785

handicap placards.

[Guest guest]

You know, when I got my first placard, it was so I could get in a parking

place that was wide enough for me to get my guide dog out, harness her up,

get my backpack, and whatever else I had to carry with me and not have to

worry about hitting the car next to me. The parking spaces seem to be

getting smaller and smaller. There was/is no way I can/could afford to fix

a ding in a $40-50,000 car let alone one that cost less. The only option

was a handicap parking place. Plus, there are too many people who do not

pay attention to those walking from farther distances from the farther back

parking places. I have almost been hit numerous times by people like that.

My guide dog was doing her job but there is only so far you can get to a

parked car's bumper.

Now, with the lupus and DJD, there is no way I can walk that far so my

placard really comes in handy now. It also irks me royally when someone

gets one that doesn't need it. I am forever hearing my mom, MIL, friends,

and other family members talk about how someone has parked in a handicap

parking place that just jumped out of the car/truck/etc and bounced right

into the store like they had all the energy in the world. Anyone with half

a brain knew they were using someone else's card.

What I can't understand is why someone would want to do this to begin with.

Don't they have any compassion for that person who actually needs that

parking spot?

sam

The trouble with making plans for the future, even when you can see the

future, is that fate has a way of intervening and upsetting the best laid

plans of mice and men.

- Burns 1785

handicap placards.

[Guest guest]

I agree with Cheryl's note. The fellow who used that disabled parking

space may truly have been disabled. I've never bothered to get a

disabled sticker but I could, and I look quite a bit like that fellow

except that I'm now 60. Perhaps the man was having a good day or

perhaps he was managing his condition well enough to be able to go out

and run errands. What's that old saying -- don't judge a book by its cover.

Cheryl Jarvis wrote:

>This fellow may well have been taking advantage of someone else's

>sticker. However, I would ask you to consider trying to refrain from

>making judgments like this. You can't always tell what someone's

>condition is from the outside.

[Guest guest]

I agree with Cheryl's note. The fellow who used that disabled parking

space may truly have been disabled. I've never bothered to get a

disabled sticker but I could, and I look quite a bit like that fellow

except that I'm now 60. Perhaps the man was having a good day or

perhaps he was managing his condition well enough to be able to go out

and run errands. What's that old saying -- don't judge a book by its cover.

Cheryl Jarvis wrote:

>This fellow may well have been taking advantage of someone else's

>sticker. However, I would ask you to consider trying to refrain from

>making judgments like this. You can't always tell what someone's

>condition is from the outside.

[Guest guest]

Cheryl Jarvis wrote:

> Sharon -

> This fellow may well have been taking advantage of someone else's

> sticker. However, I would ask you to consider trying to refrain from

> making judgements like this. You can't always tell what someone's

> condition is from the outside........

Don't agree at all. Even if in the slight chance he did go to a Dr and

did get this sticker legitimately, it is even worse if a fellow disabled

person uses a space when they in fact don't need too. You can have very

good days if you are in pain when you are just like everybody else, so

leave those spaces for those who might be permanently in need of them.

It's not a right it is a privilege.

One, he had oodles of spaces right next to him but without the extra

wide space needed to enter and exit a vehicle, in which he could have

parked. He was using the space because he had an attitude of " I have a

sticker so I can park here at anytime. "

No you can't park there at anytime! Park there when you need to be

close to the shops because you physically would find it very difficult

even impossible to get out and about if these spaces were not available.

> I'm only 40, and I look fit and strong because I *was* very

> active.....<snipped>

> But I have a disabled parking sticker for very good

> reasons,

I appreciate that. So if you came and wanted a parking space that this

inconsiderate moron took, how'd you feel?

> So, please, don't make assumptions just from appearances.

I know I made a correct call with him. Having said that, I am so well

aware of what you are saying, but I don't think you come out of a

vehicle with attitude. He should have left the space for ones more

" needy " . Ones like most ppl here. Ones with working dogs and ones with

wheelchairs etc.... As I said he had tons of empty spaces to use, all

around us.

Even a disabled person wouldn't have a problem with parking that day. I

let him have it because of his damn higher than thou attitude and self

imposed privilege.

> But if someone is parking in a space without the correct placard, feel

> free to call the police and they will be towed!

Nuh, not my style. I'll always tackle it as it happens. The police have

much more to worry about here than to be taken up with these matters of

dispute. We are not a nation of police callers. They don't hand cuff

you at the drop of a hat nor do they drag you off to gaol. And I don't

have to worry about anyone pulling a gun on me cos they aren't having a

good day either. So we can still bail people up if we want to, and

tackle their morality.

Sharon in Australia.

[Guest guest]

Cheryl Jarvis wrote:

> Sharon -

> This fellow may well have been taking advantage of someone else's

> sticker. However, I would ask you to consider trying to refrain from

> making judgements like this. You can't always tell what someone's

> condition is from the outside........

Don't agree at all. Even if in the slight chance he did go to a Dr and

did get this sticker legitimately, it is even worse if a fellow disabled

person uses a space when they in fact don't need too. You can have very

good days if you are in pain when you are just like everybody else, so

leave those spaces for those who might be permanently in need of them.

It's not a right it is a privilege.

One, he had oodles of spaces right next to him but without the extra

wide space needed to enter and exit a vehicle, in which he could have

parked. He was using the space because he had an attitude of " I have a

sticker so I can park here at anytime. "

No you can't park there at anytime! Park there when you need to be

close to the shops because you physically would find it very difficult

even impossible to get out and about if these spaces were not available.

> I'm only 40, and I look fit and strong because I *was* very

> active.....<snipped>

> But I have a disabled parking sticker for very good

> reasons,

I appreciate that. So if you came and wanted a parking space that this

inconsiderate moron took, how'd you feel?

> So, please, don't make assumptions just from appearances.

I know I made a correct call with him. Having said that, I am so well

aware of what you are saying, but I don't think you come out of a

vehicle with attitude. He should have left the space for ones more

" needy " . Ones like most ppl here. Ones with working dogs and ones with

wheelchairs etc.... As I said he had tons of empty spaces to use, all

around us.

Even a disabled person wouldn't have a problem with parking that day. I

let him have it because of his damn higher than thou attitude and self

imposed privilege.

> But if someone is parking in a space without the correct placard, feel

> free to call the police and they will be towed!

Nuh, not my style. I'll always tackle it as it happens. The police have

much more to worry about here than to be taken up with these matters of

dispute. We are not a nation of police callers. They don't hand cuff

you at the drop of a hat nor do they drag you off to gaol. And I don't

have to worry about anyone pulling a gun on me cos they aren't having a

good day either. So we can still bail people up if we want to, and

tackle their morality.

Sharon in Australia.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon

They don't " cuff and stuff " someone here for falsely using a handicape space

but they do fine them

$100. We have 2 meter maids that drive funky little carts all over town and

to the shopping centers and check for parking violations so it doesn't take

up the regular police officers time. The police department has made more

than enough money on parking violation fines to pay the meter maid's

salaries and pay for the little carts they drive.

Kaylene

>Nuh, not my style. I'll always tackle it as it happens. The police have

>much more to worry about here than to be taken up with these matters of

>dispute. We are not a nation of police callers. They don't hand cuff

>you at the drop of a hat nor do they drag you off to gaol. And I don't

>have to worry about anyone pulling a gun on me cos they aren't having a

>good day either. So we can still bail people up if we want to, and

>tackle their morality.

>Sharon in Australia.

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Kaylene wrote:

>Hi Sharon

>They don't " cuff and stuff "

>

LOL! I like that.

> . We have 2 meter maids that drive funky little carts all over town

>

oooh. <ewg> That might make me violate all day!

evil Shaz.

[Guest guest]

Amen to that Cheryl. I have disabled plates on my car and still get

comments and long looks if certain folks don't evaluate me as disabled

enough to be parking in dp spaces. If they only knew the pain that I mask

from public view and the humiliating falls I've suffered already.

And just to VENT a little myself......the long looks don't always come from

able bodied folk. The worst of scrutiny comes from other dp plate holders

who appoint themselves as monitors and disability evaluators.

I have a different mind set towards fellow disabled people that park in the

dp spaces near me. I try to make a point of saying something kind and

making some human contact with them because so many times if we have

wheelchairs or walk with canes we are treated like invisibles, or worse,

like lepers.

I'm no paragon of virtues, yet even I don't see a reason to be back biting

on fellow disabled's. Okay I'm climbing down off the cross....I know

someone needs the wood!.

CA

Cheryl wrote:

>But I have a disabled parking sticker for very good

> reasons, including the fact that if I walk for more than the required

> maximum distance for a sticker I lose feeling in my feet, risking a

> fall, and I suffer increased pain

[Guest guest]

I also have a handicap placard for parking. Unfortunately when the new one

came last June I cut up the new one instead of the old one. I use it anyway.

I get some weird looks from people when I get out of the car tho. I look

like an able bodied person so I'm sure their thinking I've stolen my

grandmother's card or something. Many times I don't use it. Only on the bad

pain days do

I use the card and especially at the grocery store. It takes everything I

have just to shop. And then to walk the length of the parking lot is too much.

At the local Starback's there are always people parking in the one handicap

slot w/o a card. The police are always stopping by to get their coffee and

they do give out tickets.

Kathleen in Calif.

[Guest guest]

I also have a handicap placard for parking. Unfortunately when the new one

came last June I cut up the new one instead of the old one. I use it anyway.

I get some weird looks from people when I get out of the car tho. I look

like an able bodied person so I'm sure their thinking I've stolen my

grandmother's card or something. Many times I don't use it. Only on the bad

pain days do

I use the card and especially at the grocery store. It takes everything I

have just to shop. And then to walk the length of the parking lot is too much.

At the local Starback's there are always people parking in the one handicap

slot w/o a card. The police are always stopping by to get their coffee and

they do give out tickets.

Kathleen in Calif.

[Guest guest]

I also have a handicap placard for parking. Unfortunately when the new one

came last June I cut up the new one instead of the old one. I use it anyway.

I get some weird looks from people when I get out of the car tho. I look

like an able bodied person so I'm sure their thinking I've stolen my

grandmother's card or something. Many times I don't use it. Only on the bad

pain days do

I use the card and especially at the grocery store. It takes everything I

have just to shop. And then to walk the length of the parking lot is too much.

At the local Starback's there are always people parking in the one handicap

slot w/o a card. The police are always stopping by to get their coffee and

they do give out tickets.

Kathleen in Calif.