Update On handicapped parking crusade

[alohacousin]

Hey dis' family; We hit a new low for parents. I was loading kelsey into her wheelchair on the side of our vehicle. A mother wanting to drop her child off whipped inbetween the 2 handicapped spaces coming inches from kels. My husband jumps out (#$%&*) That was the last straw! I called the Superintendants office and spoke with the secretary and told her the whole story. Having a handicapped sister with MS she said "I will call the police station myself to have it patrolled. (The special community sticks together huh? )The next morning The police officer arrives to find a car in the space w/o a permit. Enters the school to find this mom to move the car. While I am in the school with our children hubby tells me 3 cars tried to pull in there. No No says Miss police woman! Today some parents tried to park there with the officer standing in between the spaces and were directed elseware but less than the day before. HAH! this is working. And for the cherry of my day; in our paper, "The Lexington Herald-Leader" in the editorials was my letter titled "Parents Self Centered". I couldn't find it on the online page but i am making copies to send to friends and relatives. I have started a support group called The Child Alliance Support Group I will be discussing this topic also.This a group through our schools to talk about topics from add to functional mental disability in our schools how to find what your child needs, to properly make complaints, home issues ect. I am very excited about meeting new people with similiar issues. You all have a great day
Hugs 2 All,

 

[lisapooh]

You go girl! Great job as an advocate for the handicapped.

 

[seashoreCM]

Did you take down the license no. and swear out a complaint against the mother who whipped in within inches?

You personally could have nailed her with a "driving to endanger" citation. Add on multiple charges like "parking in no-parking area (crosshatches)", "excessive speed", "aggressive driving" also.

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[SueM in MN]

I looked for a link to your newspaper, but the only one I found charged $1.50 for each download! Would you be able to cut and paste us a copy here?
I'm glad that you got some results, but I'm afraid there are just some people who won't learn and for them "It's all about me".

 

[Michigan]

I'm glad you got action from the police but it makes me mad that they didn't give tickets. When it hits your pocket it makes people think about ever parking in a space again.

 

[alohacousin]

Here is my letter:
PARENTS SELF-CENTERED
I am always amazed at the "me" attitude I see now and then throughout Lexington. The Rushing to get from point A to point B in record time, running stops lights. There is a lack of community politeness you wouldn't expect in a city of this size.
And then there is the lack of respect for handicapped spaces. I am not speaking of a doctor's office, grocery stores or mall-I'm referring to Southern Elementary School. I have been shocked daily by parents who use the handicapped spaces
there. It is obvious they have not dealt with the struggle of not being able to walk-only the disturbance of waiting an extra five minutes in line, like everyone else who needs to pick up a child.
I asked the police to patrol an area that shouldn't have to be watched. We have to ask people to choose another space. On the most recent attempt, we had to endure a smart remark and flip of a finger. What example does this set for children?
The School and police officers have been very helpful, but shame on parents who show such disrespect. I thank those who know they should not park in a designated handicapped parking space and choose another spot.
Renae Moore
Lexington

The parent who was parked in the spot & was in the school, the officer had called in her plates to verify she didn't have a permit was being issued a citation by mail. he he. ya know money talks...**walks
Yesterday no one tried to park there after school. Seeing a police officer standing there sure sent a message but starting monday she will no longer be there. I will say the school staff isnt as polite to me since all this. But hey they need to get over it.

 

[Nanajo1]

I'm too upset about my parking situation to go into it here but I applaud your perserverance. When will people recognize the legality of HP spaces? I hope you have less stress getting your child to school. PD coming your way.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for posting the text of your letter. It's too bad that standing up for your rights is causing people to be less polite to you.
And as far as when some people will recognize the legality of handicapped spaces, for some people it won't be until they need one themselves.
I also had problems (this is quite a few years ago) at my DD's school. The other parent's couldn't see why just parking there for a minute made a difference and the people plowing the lot couldn't see why "that" spot couldn't be used as a spot to pile snow. I ended up falling one day when i brought my DD to school. She just fell back into her seat in the van and wasn't hurt, but I cracked off both my front teeth. That did get everyone's attention and there were no more parking problems after that. It's too bad that something drastic has to happen sometimes for people to take notice.

 

[alohacousin]

The police woman is gone. We had her only for 1 week
A few parents have gone to parking there again. sigh**

Not because of this but other reasons but would like to know if anyone out there home schools their special child? This is something we are looking into but don't have a clue of what to expect.

 

[xplor144]

You know- I am the kind of person that holds a grudge, and I want people to "learn a lesson". KWIM? I am the person that leaves notes on cars that start out "Look you idiot". I just left one last week for someone that had their rear facing car seat buckled in forward facing. Anyhoo....if you really want a crusade, take you a digital camera, and every time you see someone parked in a spot get a picture. Make sure you can see the sign, and their license plate. The digital camera should automatically put a time stamp type thing on it. At least mine does, I have one of the ones that you use a floppy disk with. So when I take a picture, it shows exactly when the file was created.
Amy

 

[seashoreCM]

>> I cracked off both my front teeth.

File a "slip and fall" claim, naming both the property owner and the snow plow contractor.

>> The police woman is gone. We had her only for 1 week A few parents have gone to parking there again. sigh**

Call the police again and ask them to write people up, not just tell people not to. The only way to get people to obey the law is lots more nabbings.

 

[SueM in MN]

I do like the idea of the digital camera. You would still have to note the location, but there would be proof that the person was parked there.
In the situation I mentioned, where I cracked my front teeth, it was 5 years ago (maybe 6, can't remember) so I'm not about to do anything now. I did file an incident report with the school which listed all the pertinent facts. The school contracted with the snowplow company for plowing and part of the follow-up for the incident report was talking to the plowing company about where they put the snow. There was great improvement in that after.
At a shopping mall, usually talking to the manager of one of the bigger tenants or the manager of the shopping mall will get attention. They should be awware, but usually don't notice that snow is being piled in the handicapped spots since they are not using them.

 

[LvsTnk]

I homeschool my DS with special needs and I was surprised at the amount of people who do. I have been working with my son since he was 2 months old, now I just do it full time.

 

[s&k'smom]

Bravo Alohan Counsin, I loved your letter. Unfortunately people don't really care about an issue unless it affects them. But I just love the digital camera idea. Keep up the good work and keep us updated.

 

[nancy13]

Just thought I would let you ladies and gents know that in my city( Toronto, Canada) they are increasing the fines for parking without a permit. They are going up to $5000 (CDN). Hopefully money talks. As my FIL has only been disabled in the last year I am hoping that we will not experience the same kinds of ingnorance that your families have.

 

[alohacousin]

I sound like a broken record of course could not park to pick up Kelsey. I had to circle around the parking 3x's. When I returned home I emailed a letter of my continued frustration to the principal,superintendant,director of special ed, area special ed coordinator,school facilitator, teachers, & transportation. This was my final letter, I am just burned out. I gave them a few choices that either they find a solution I would remove my daughter from the district. I feel like they see these issues as not a right but a nuisance. You all are right until problems like these are a part of their world you just don't get it. The principal came back with picking kelsey up at the side door where there are only teachers parked there. Yes it feels like we are being segregated but on the other hand we are right next to the building, 3 steps to the door and with my 2 yr old having asthma I don't have to take him out. Well enough ranting and raving. I need 2B@disney for some R&R.
God Bless U All

 

[chris1gill]

Geesh, we have this very same issue at my childrens school... It is unbelievable Never in my life have I seen people try to park in between the two handicapped spaces... until I was able to modify my car & drive this year!! There are always ALWAYS people parking there & trying to park there... Another mother & I complained to the principal... That lasted one day, then people were back to doing it.... I'm just tired of it... Can't they put cones up or something to detour these people? It just seems unimaginable to me!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I wonder if they include anything in drivers' education classes about handicapped parking besides that you might get a ticket. I think most people look at those spots as a CONVENIENCE that the people who have cards to use them don't deserve. That's the biggest problem. They don't understand that without those spots, some people would not be ABLE to go anywhere.
I remember seeing this come up in Ann Landers or Dear Abby once (we get both in our paper, so I'm nver sure which I saw it in). Someone said that:
-people in wheelchairs don't need the spots, since they are not
walking anyway. Completely overlooking that people in wheelchairs or
ecvs need the bigger spots to get out, are sitting low to the ground
and could be difficult for drivers to see, and have trouble driving
over snow and ice or thru rain, wind, etc.
-people who are blind or deaf don't need them since they can walk.
Completely overlooking that people with those disabilities might be
in danger walking thru a large, busy parking lot.
-people who can walk into the store don't need one. Completely
overlooking the fact that some people might not be able to walk far
or are unsteady walking.
I think the general public needs education about some of this.

 

[dan-tot]

Why don't you flatten their tires. I would bet they would think twice about doing it again.

Dan-tot