Little, teeny vent - no response needed (but don't let that stop you ;))

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, I needed to go someplace yesterday that has one HP space in front of the door, one on the side street next to it, and two in the back parking lot. All were taken when I arrived, about 9:15. No problem. I understand that. It made my access a bit more difficult, but okay. I'm not the only person in this state who needs or is entitled to accessible parking.

Here's the vent. The vehicle in front of the building had the required placard hanging from the rearview mirror. Also fine. It had a surfboard fastened to the roof.

I checked the eligibility standards. Now, I could easily be wrong but it appears to me that someone who surfs doesn't meet the requirements.

 

[locolala]

What if the surfboard was someone else's though, like a childs? Also, I know a guy who is an amputee (right leg at the knee) and he still surfs, yet uses a prosthetic and has a handicapped placard.

 

[Schmeck]

Yes, we all need to be careful about judging others - if you looked at me you'd never know I've got a leg that tends to give out when overused. Well, if I was brave enough to wear shorts you'd see the scar/missing chunk on the back of my left calf, and that could be a hint, but otherwise, you'd just see a rather healthy looking 45 year old woman.

What if there were skiis on top? I know some special needs students who love to go skiing!

 

[kaytieeldr]

What if the surfboard was someone else's though, like a childs? Also, I know a guy who is an amputee (right leg at the knee) and he still surfs, yet uses a prosthetic and has a handicapped placard.

Thank you. I wouldn't have expected (didn't consider) that someone with a prosthetic limb could surf.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, we all need to be careful about judging others - if you looked at me

Well, you're absolutely right. In the two+ hours I was there, I never saw the driver. Or any passenger. I was just irritated because it meant I had to park in a regular space (difficult to get out of the car) and use the stairs to get into the building. Naturally, I took it personally. I "know" this person used this car, with the surfboard attached, merely to inconvenience me - and we all know the world revolves around me

 

[pudge the fish]

Naturally, I took it personally. I "know" this person used this car, with the surfboard attached, merely to inconvenience me - and we all know the world revolves around me

Hmm . I REALLY thought the world revolved around me

I understand tho- My friend has a handicapped hanger and they have surfboards as the dad is in a WC but the 2 boys surf..boys are only 12 & 14 not old enough to drive. and as we are a mile or two from the worlds most famous beach-I think people may look at that and think like you did.

a few weeks ago there was a guy who was given a ticket here in Florida because he had a handicapped hanger and the officer didn't think he was *handicapped enough*He had a HARD fighting the ticket until a local tv channel got involved. He was a visitor from out of state and WAS really handicapped and needed the hanger. It was a weird case.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

There are several organizations out there for disabled surfers. I know both a double amputee who surfs and a quadriplegic. The quad, in fact, has been encouraging me to try to come out at some point, but the next thing I want to try is scuba diving! (Yes, there's an organization that does scuba diving for people with physical disabilities)

And, as someone pointed out, just because the surf board is on the car, doesn't mean the surfer is in it.

 

[toocherie]

Hmm . I REALLY thought the world revolved around me

no no no--you both have it wrong--it's all about MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Funny story--about hidden disabilities--I have a friend who has been to Disneyland with me and knows I ride a scooter (my BFFs boyfriend). I guess he never asked why.

A couple of weeks ago they were over for dinner and it was hot and I was wearing shorts (which I normally don't do but it was darn toasty). We were lounging on the deck and he looked down and blurted out "oh my God--what happened to your knees???????" He had (apparently for the first time despite knowing him two years) noticed the scars from my double knee replacement surgery!

Here's someone who knows me pretty well but didn't know about my "hidden" disability. (And I ride the scooter not just because of the replacement--the knees start feeling like canteloups after a while) but also because of fibromyalgia.)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hmm . I REALLY thought the world revolved around me

no no no--you both have it wrong--it's all about MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Nope. I claimed it first

 

[KPeveler]

look up the group called "Life Rolls On" - it is a group of people who are quadriplegics and paraplegics who still surf! I would think that they qualify for parking

 

[SueM in MN]

I just saw a news story on TV about a wheelchair surfer. Of course, I can't find it now to share.

Anyway, it was a pretty interesting story.

I will agree that it's all about kaytieeldr, since she claimed it first.

What I want to know is how all the other people with handicapped parking permits figure out when I am going with DD and chose to go shopping at the same time.

It seems like when I am not with her and don't need the handicapped spot, there are empty spots. But, when I have her with me and can only park in one of those spots, they are all full.
So, how do they plan to be there when I am?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I will agree that it's all about kaytieeldr, since she claimed it first.

Thank you, Sue! See, everyone? Sue agrees with me

Seriously - thank you, everyone. I consider myself to be very open-minded, but never considered the possibility that a surfer can also be eligible for a handicap-parking placard. Thanks for opening my mind further (but, if that same car is in that same spot tomorrow - grrrr ).

 

[Piper]

I just saw a news story on TV about a wheelchair surfer. Of course, I can't find it now to share.

Anyway, it was a pretty interesting story.

I will agree that it's all about kaytieeldr, since she claimed it first.

What I want to know is how all the other people with handicapped parking permits figure out when I am going with DD and chose to go shopping at the same time.

It seems like when I am not with her and don't need the handicapped spot, there are empty spots. But, when I have her with me and can only park in one of those spots, they are all full.
So, how do they plan to be there when I am?

It must be because you always choose the "best" times to go. I know because that is my problem, too!

I noticed that during the summers, it is fairly easy to find a spot in the morning or early afternoon (not around lunch time.) But when I work, I can never find a spot because lunch time and after school/work is a popular time to shop.

 

[pudge the fish]

I will agree that it's all about kaytieeldr, since she claimed it first.

No Fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Sue always did like you better than us



We have 12 handicapped spots where I work. Normally most people who have a hanger don't use them- They are kinda far from the side but WC accessible entrance. Except on Wednesdays- people who never use the HC spots seem to fight over them on Wednesdays..people will get to meetings an hour early for a HC spot on Wednesdays