Stupid idea or great idea about handicapped parking?

[fergibabies]

I see hmmm this being a temporary situation then I change my answer. I would just arrive the 25 mins early. It's a pain I know but there are so many families with children permanently disabled. Thank God your situation is temporary.
Best of wishes for a speedy recovery to you DD. I broke my femur, patella and ankle in an accident 6 years ago. I know exactly how she feels.

 

[MELISAZACK]

Well I understand you need to have one. But that doesn't make anyone else need any less.. you couldn't go to the mall and demand anyone parked in a HC spot who didn't have a wheelchair with them to move because you need the spot for space.. same rule would apply at the school - 1st come 1st serve. As far as parking and walking home and coming back.. I see 2 sides to that. one if you can do that could you push the WC home on nice days. just a thought of a way to get fresh air for everyone.. my other thought there is you might get a funny look from others. but.. once they see your child and WC I think that will disappear quick.

 

[hellokitty86]

I would just arrive the 25 mins early. It's a pain I know but there are so many families with children permanently disabled. Thank God your situation is temporary.

 

[ckay87]

Broken femur?? OUCH - I don't even want to know how that happened because I couldn't handle hearing about it. Just wishing her a speedy recovery.

 

[diznygirl]

So I am trying to decide if this is really stupid or smart- what I just did.

At my kids' elementary school, there are only 5 handicapped parking spots. My daughter is in a wheelchair, and I really NEED one of those spots because they are wider and otherwise, if I get someone parked close to me in a normal parking spot it may be physically impossible to get her in the car. In the afternoons before school lets out, those parking spots are all gone at least 15 minutes before dismissal. There appears to be quite a few people who have a placard, and not saying their issues are not as important as mine..ok, maybe I am. Don't hate me, I just need that wide spot.

Anyway..it was getting old getting there at least 25 minutes early before the other people get there to make sure I have a spot. That's 2.5 hours a week I am just chilling in the parking lot. I COULD go back to that if I need to, but I just had a brilliant idea- I live within walking distance of the school (as an able bodied person), how about going over and parking my car about an hour early, then go home till dismissal?

But I did feel kind of like an idiot putting up my daughter's handicapped placard in my car and then walking out of the school parking lot. But I really feel that as a wheelchair family, we really need a spot. Again, I could go back to getting there 25 minutes early if it's going to cause a huge backlash, it's just an extreme waste of my time.

Soooo..what do you think? Great idea or stupid idea? I suppose I could get a ticket for misuse of a placard? But I would love to go to court to explain my story, and the car technically does not leave the parking lot without my handicapped daughter, and I am only there an extra 40 minutes or so.

Midday, the spots are usually empty, it's not like I am taking a spot from someone else, it's just a battle to get a spot for end-of-day pickup.

Thoughts?

I don't think you would save any additional time by adding a twenty minute walk to your schedule. You either sit for 25 minutes, or walk for 20 (10 mins each way).

If it were me, I would just get there 25 minutes early. You are out of the house once a day rather than twice, you could get out and walk around or sit and read like others have suggested.

 

[redrosesix]

I'd get there 25 minutes early.

You have no idea why those folks are in those spots and if they are legally, they are.

I think you may get in trouble for leaving school grounds with your car parked in the lot, though. So I wouldn't do what you plan unless you expressly had the schools permission to do it.

Your intent is to pick up your daughter who is wheelchair bound, so I'm not sure if that is misuse. If you were coming to volunteer for an hour and then leave, that would be misuse.

Your best option is to suck it up and bring a good book to read or some task that you can do in the car.

Your time is what you make of it.

I often have to get to places early and not due to any disabilities. So I bring something to do if I really need that time to not be wasted.

ETA: I see nothing wrong with your suggestion, just offering up options.

ITA -- I spend a lot of time waiting around for my DD (actually I'm at the office, done work and waiting for her to get off school right now). If you aren't into reading, you can knit or do another craft, balance your cheque book, etc. I have a blackberry so I can also check my email, return phone calls (we're not allowed to talk and drive here), go on facebook, or come on the Dis forums.

But you should also seriously consider petitioning the school to add more accessible parking spaces -- there is obviously a need for them.

 

[redrosesix]

Another option--I have seen wheelchair access vehicles, when all the handicap spots are taken, they will take two regular spots and park on the diagonal and utilizing two spaces.

There is a van at our church that does this if they get to the churhc at the wrong time. We have no van specific spots, and all the properly used handicap spots are occupied. I don't fault him for this and think it is a great solution.

Again--not sure on the legality though.

Simply brilliant I'm going to pass that on to a few people I know -- the would only get a ticket doing that here if they were using 2 parking meters.

 

[momrek06]

She will only need a wheelchair for 6-8 months (broken femur) so no point in fighting to get another wheelchair.

My son broke his leg in the 4th grade. DS is now 23yo....in those days we did not get placard's or any special treatment. The principal told me that she felt we needed to arrive very very early and I was to assist DS to his room each morning before anyone else arrived AND then I was to wait at the end of the day until school was dismissed and everyone was pretty much out of the school. It was not a big deal to me going extra early and picking him up after everyone was pretty much gone AS the school was very accommodating ALL DAY LONG assisting DS as he passed from class to class.

I would just continue to try to get there very very early. Get your DD all settled into her classroom and then go back at the very end of the day. Hopefully, that way you will have a spot to park both am and pm.

As others have said, thankfully, for your DD this is only a temporary situation.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You are suggesting I'm catty because I've often been blocked in

Your post has nothing to do with mine did you just copy the wrong one

I quoted your whole post, but I had assumed (perhaps mistakenly) that you were commenting about the people in this thread:

Alright, you are preaching to the choir here. I don't have any advice, but it is a constant amazement to me, that people don't understand that the spaces are wider because people need the room to get in and out with a wheel-chair, or other mobility aid.

If you were not, I apologize.

But the way I perceived it was not in the best light in regards to the posters here who suggested she get there early since her issue was that all the spots were taken and not that she was blocked once she was able to park in them.

 

[merryweather20]

I quoted your whole post, but I had assumed (perhaps mistakenly) that you were commenting about the people in this thread:



If you were not, I apologize.

But the way I perceived it was not in the best light in regards to the posters here who suggested she get there early since her issue was that all the spots were taken and not that she was blocked once she was able to park in them.

Way to jump to conclusions...

There was no one posted when I hit the reply button just the single question from the OP. But, yes plenty of people don't get it, like the UPS drivers I mentioned. This isn't "catty" simply fact.

It is an awful stretch to assume I'm talking about "Lisa Loves Pooh" when I hadn't quoted your post

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Way to jump to conclusions...

There was no one posted when I hit the reply button just the single question from the OP. But, yes plenty of people don't get it, like the UPS drivers I mentioned. This isn't "catty" simply fact.

It is an awful stretch to assume I'm talking about "Lisa Loves Pooh" when I hadn't quoted your post

I thought you were talking about everybody and not me specifically. Again it was a mistake and nothing more.

I admitted it and apologized. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions.

 

[C.Ann]

I think many people don't realize that such a wide area is required due to the wheelchair.. I know first hand from having gone through this with my sister in Florida.. Others who have a different sort of handicap and are able to easily exit/enter their vehicles tend to park too close.. I have seen some handicap parking areas where there is one that is extra, extra wide for just that purpose, but based on your post I assume you don't have that..

I'm not really sure how you can handle this.. Parking your vehicle there early may cause a problem for other handicap folks who might arrive and leave (for whatever reason) prior to dismissal time..

Would it be a major hassle to wait until after dismissal time to arrive at the school?

It's a difficult situation, for sure..

 

[KirstenB]

I'd ask the principal. At our school, there are kids who have more severe forms of autism. They aren't able to ride the bus. So there are 3 cars (provided by the school's transportation dept) that arrive about 15 minutes before school lets out to pick them up. They do park in the handicap spaces. I know that's an unusual situation, but you might want to make sure that it isn't something like that.

 

[ajk912]

Just because the situation is temporary doesn't make it any less real.

Though she does have an immobilizer on that leg, I do have to be extremely careful when moving her because I don't want to hurt her or cause any more damage (or heaven forbid, break it again while it's healing!)

She has a bone disorder & scoliosis (and a short statured syndrome, some people use the "D" word or "M" word, I prefer short).

It's hard to not get a little offended by the "at least you don't have it worse" type statements. I wish she was a normal kid like you see everywhere, but hey, you deal with the hand you are dealt, right?

Ugh. Thanks to those who did offer support though!

 

[ajk912]

I think many people don't realize that such a wide area is required due to the wheelchair.. I know first hand from having gone through this with my sister in Florida.. Others who have a different sort of handicap and are able to easily exit/enter their vehicles tend to park too close.. I have seen some handicap parking areas where there is one that is extra, extra wide for just that purpose, but based on your post I assume you don't have that..

I'm not really sure how you can handle this.. Parking your vehicle there early may cause a problem for other handicap folks who might arrive and leave (for whatever reason) prior to dismissal time..

Would it be a major hassle to wait until after dismissal time to arrive at the school?

It's a difficult situation, for sure..

It's the school the requested I get there at 3:25 (dismissal is technically 3:40) to get her out fo the main halls before the other kids are dismissed. I then wait for my other kids to get out at 3:40.

For those who asked, I do take her to her classroom everyday and pick her up in the classroom everyday. It's no big deal to sign in and walk her down to her class!

 

[bgirldeb]

I like the idea of parking across 2 spaces, or going to the principal about a better solution, more spaces. I cringe thinking that your daughter would have to have a more difficult time getting to the car with a broken femur!

 

[laurie31]

Im sorry, I don't see the difference in getting there 25 mins early and sitting in the car, versus leaving the car there an extra 30 minutes.

I actually used to do this at work, when I lived close. If it was a pretty day, I'd drive to work early, park my car, and walk back home. Then I'd walk to work that afternoon, and drive home that night. (I got off at 11:45, no way was it safe to be walking, a woman alone, at that hour. But during the day it was fine). It saved me 20-30 mins of driving around looking for a parking place. A real bummer, when it only took me 4 minutes to drive there.


Back to the OP -What if she got there that early and stayed in the car? She's still taking up the spot either way. And she has a very legitimate NEED for getting the space. She's not just trying to be the first one in car line or something. (we have those people...) If I have to pick up DD, I have to get there at least 30 mins early to get a space. Any space. I can't imagine what kind of time people have on their hands that they get to school an hour early and just...sit.

OP, I would ask the school if there's any reason you can't do what you're doing. I hope your DD's leg heals well.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

So I am trying to decide if this is really stupid or smart- what I just did.

At my kids' elementary school, there are only 5 handicapped parking spots. My daughter is in a wheelchair, and I really NEED one of those spots because they are wider and otherwise, if I get someone parked close to me in a normal parking spot it may be physically impossible to get her in the car. In the afternoons before school lets out, those parking spots are all gone at least 15 minutes before dismissal. There appears to be quite a few people who have a placard, and not saying their issues are not as important as mine..ok, maybe I am. Don't hate me, I just need that wide spot.

Anyway..it was getting old getting there at least 25 minutes early before the other people get there to make sure I have a spot. That's 2.5 hours a week I am just chilling in the parking lot. I COULD go back to that if I need to, but I just had a brilliant idea- I live within walking distance of the school (as an able bodied person), how about going over and parking my car about an hour early, then go home till dismissal?

But I did feel kind of like an idiot putting up my daughter's handicapped placard in my car and then walking out of the school parking lot. But I really feel that as a wheelchair family, we really need a spot. Again, I could go back to getting there 25 minutes early if it's going to cause a huge backlash, it's just an extreme waste of my time.

Soooo..what do you think? Great idea or stupid idea? I suppose I could get a ticket for misuse of a placard? But I would love to go to court to explain my story, and the car technically does not leave the parking lot without my handicapped daughter, and I am only there an extra 40 minutes or so.

Midday, the spots are usually empty, it's not like I am taking a spot from someone else, it's just a battle to get a spot for end-of-day pickup.

Thoughts?

I wish that they would do away with handicapped parking spots for all except those in wheelchairs and/or who have specialized vans and need the extra space.

How did oversized handicapped spots morph into spots for anyone who can scam a doctor?

Here in NJ it is a real joke. Everyone has one, whether they really need them or not. In some cities they actually have permits for parking spots on the street. There are some blocks where all the available parking spots have handicapped parking by permit only. Is this even legal I wonder? It's amazing how they came up with a new way to secure your very own parking spot on a public street!

Can you explain to me why they exist at a mall? A person can't walk an extra 200 or so feet in the parking lot but can walk around a mall all day.

And then you have the a-holes who use the family handicapped placard to park...need I say more?

And before anyone goes off on me, I have a parent who uses a wheelchair, so I understand the frustration of the OP.

 

[Jennasis]

Solution:

Arrive and park in a handicapped spot. If one is not available, park your car in a regular spot and go in and sign out your daughter. When you come out, Have DD wait in chair off to the side while you back your car halfway out of the spot. Then load up DD and pull back in while you wait for the other kiddos.

Been here, done it (with grandfather-in-law).

 

[legalsea]

I wish that they would do away with handicapped parking spots for all except those in wheelchairs and/or who have specialized vans and need the extra space.

How did oversized handicapped spots morph into spots for anyone who can scam a doctor?

Here in NJ it is a real joke. Everyone has one, whether they really need them or not. In some cities they actually have permits for parking spots on the street. There are some blocks where all the available parking spots have handicapped parking by permit only. Is this even legal I wonder? It's amazing how they came up with a new way to secure your very own parking spot on a public street!

Can you explain to me why they exist at a mall? A person can't walk an extra 200 or so feet in the parking lot but can walk around a mall all day.

And then you have the a-holes who use the family handicapped placard to park...need I say more?

And before anyone goes off on me, I have a parent who uses a wheelchair, so I understand the frustration of the OP.

While I may not completely join in your opinion, I will say that for years we had a real problem in downtown Fort Worth around the Federal building: every morning every single parking meter spot within a one or two block radius of the Federal building was taken by cars with the handicapped parking sticker. If you had business in fhe Federal building tough luck: you had to park blocks away or pay to park in one of those "$5.00 per hour, $8.00 all day" lots.

The strange part is: these spaces were all taken by Federal employees, and they had their own free parking in the Federal parking garage one block from the building. However, since parking was 'free and unlimited' if you had a handicapped parking card, they would take those parking meter spots closer to the Federal building. By 8 o' clock every morning each parking spot was taken.

The city finally got fed up with never getting one thin dime of parking out of these dozens of parking meters and so they changed the rules so that everyone, even handicapped, had to pay.