Vent-- If you aren't handicapped do not use the darn sticker

[robinb]

You know, I do know better however I was just very irked by what appeared to be a woman with no physical problem or a need for that spot. Funny if it turned out she wasn't really handicapped and I told someone and she got a ticket, I'd be praised and thanked for my judgement. People around here never cease to amaze me, so really i'm not surprised by these responses.

I hope you know I was just teasing you .

I know you are right. I have seen threads on this exact subject go in the opposite direction where the venter has been praised for their good duty in reporting the miscreant.

 

[C.Ann]

Hmm interesting thread.

There is abuse of the system - there is no question about that.

The lady in the OPs first post - I have no clue if she needed that spot or not. It possible she may have and it's equally possible she may not have.

But as for the other two people who looked like they need the spot more than that woman: the "sticker" does not guarantee you a spot it only entitles you to use one. The spots are there on a first come first serve basis.

Now that I do not need those spots anymore I am so gratefull that I can walk from any spot in the lot I choose. Do I question or judge people who use the spots that dont have a visable? No way I am too busy being greatful for my own life to be concerned about what they do.

Plus like someone said Karma will take care of the pepple who do abuse the spots.

I don't think anyone here thinks that no one abuses this system - there are abuses in every system..

But to be aggravated enough to post a rant about it - and then continue to argue the point - perhaps the OP could have simply said to the person in question, "I see you're parked in a handicap space.. Can I give you a hand - or have someone in the store assist you?" I think that would be preferable to allowing something to agitate one to the point of becoming so angry when all of the facts are not known and so many disabilities aren't necessarily visible to the naked eye..

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

NO parking vents allowed on the Disboards. Unless you see this guy.
(just trying to lighten the mood)

 

[luvmy3]

I hope you know I was just teasing you .

I know you are right. I have seen threads on this exact subject go in the opposite direction where the venter has been praised for their good duty in reporting the miscreant.

I know you were

I don't think anyone here thinks that no one abuses this system - there are abuses in every system..

But to be aggravated enough to post a rant about it - and then continue to argue the point - perhaps the OP could have simply said to the person in question, "I see you're parked in a handicap space.. Can I give you a hand - or have someone in the store assist you?" I think that would be preferable to allowing something to agitate one to the point of becoming so angry when all of the facts are not known and so many disabilities aren't necessarily visible to the naked eye..

Well first of all I'm not angry, it just bothered me because I had seen two elderly (one definitely and another maybe handicapped) in the store and the image of them struggling in the parking lot was in my head (not that I saw them, or if I knew if they were in a handicapped spot themselves, its just something that popped in there when I saw that woman). As far as continuing to argue the point, its more about defending myself against teh judgement of the DISers here and less about arguing the point, but since you've been here for a long time you probably really knew that.

I didn't offer to help because she clearly didn't need it. I was behind her in line, she had no problems lifting those jugs out of her cart, or put them down on the floor or back in the cart. In fact the cashier asked her if she needed help out to her car with them and the lady said no she was fine. I then saw her put them in her car with zero trouble. Had she been struggling I would have asked if she needed a hand, but she didn't appear to be.

 

[Sparx]

NO parking vents allowed on the Disboards. Unless you see this guy.
(just trying to lighten the mood)

I TOTALLY saw someone do that the other day! I was in my car in a shopping center, and this massive truck pulled in taking up FOUR spaces. I was so irritated!

 

[luvmy3]

NO parking vents allowed on the Disboards. Unless you see this guy.
(just trying to lighten the mood)

NO kidding, anyone remember the pull in or back in thread

 

[jt'smom]

this thread is so funny! i'm sorry but people arguing back and forth about how much water weighs and whether you can lift it depending on your disability is hilarious

to add a note of humor, i'll share my best story since i have a handicapped placard. i'm terminally ill with a brainstem tumor and i don't get to drive very much or go many places, so when i get to go to the grocery store i try to take full advantage of the fact that it is a "normal" thing to do. with my brain swelling, i have to stay on steriods, and i am the poster child for bad side effects. they've made me fat, not pooh sized but fat!!! anyway, i once had an elderly couple who looked to be well over 75 but very spry, give me the "tsk, tsk" look and make the comment loudly that being fat used to not be a handicap... i nicely stopped them and told them that i totally agreed, but if they would give me their names, i would make sure to include them in my will and leave them my placard when i died. then i showed them my giant hockey stick shaped scar that runs up the back of my neck and head for about 10 inches!!!

OP vent away, everyone deserves to be able to voice their own opinions

 

[dispor]

I guess since the OP asked me to name disabilities, I'll name mine.

I have had two surgeries in the past month for separate issues. One was to repair a torn meniscus, the other was to fuse my vertebrae, c4 through c7. I had severe stenosis and herniated discs, still have arthritis, my knees, in the words of my ortho are "messed up", and I have fibromyalgia.

My job is *extremely* physical. I am a field tech for the phone company and I'm expected to be able to do things like haul around an 80 pound ladder and strap spikes to my boots and climb a telephone pole. I could definitely lift those water jugs.

I have been issued a handicap parking tag in the past a few times. I don't have one right now, but if I did, you bet I'd use it if I felt like it. I'd use it when I had a bad day, when my body ached, when I'd had enough of the daily toll my job takes on me. I'd use it without looking around to make sure there's nobody more "disabled" than I am. Know why? Because it's my right.My point is, sometimes you do what you HAVE TO DO, even if you know you'll pay for it later. I try not to limp or call attention to myself, I try not to moan when I'm doing something, even if it's painful, but you'd better believe I can feel it.

OP, I'll park where I want.

Yipes!

 

[CharliNye]

Oh boy. I just read ten pages and feel the need to contribute, and will try to do so without being combative.

I'm a 40 yr old woman who looks super healthy and in decent shape(well would be if I could lose ten lbs haa). There are days I can be superwoman, I can lift my 40 lb kid, I can deep clean my house, move small furniture around and lug tons of groceries. I can even run a mile or so on the treadmill without problem!!

But then, the next day I may barely be able to get out of bed, glass slip out of my hands, my legs feel like deadweights and in massive pain.

Then there are days that I'm a combo of the two. I have energy but I also have some pain, feel a little weak. But guess what? I have a life to live and a house to run, a husband who works. If I need to go to the store and go buy the giant cat litter and cat food that day, I have to do it. There isn't always anyone else to do it. And I may not ask for help, it's that whole independent thing I have going on.

You want to know what? I've had MS for nearly 18 yrs. And the last three have been some of the worst three of my life. There have been days where I'm so dizzy from the vertigo(which could strike out of nowhere, possibly while in a store), or my eyes aren't focusing, or suddenly I can't remember the simplest things of what, where and why I'm there.

MS is a funny thing. And I've had those days where I can lift anything and do anything, but man oh man, ten minutes later just walking through a parking lot-OH and If it's HOT out???!!! Holy crap, if the temperature gets above 78 some days I can barely walk. But hey, I have to get things done.

However all this in question, I have never bothered to get a handicap sticker/placard. Why? Because of the way I may get looked at or treated by people who do NOT KNOW ME or my situation. They don't get that in summer it's super hard for me to walk 75 feet in the heat, just to get into a mall(happened to me two weeks ago when it was 88 outside, I almost passed out in the parking lot-it hit me THAT FAST).

Maybe one day I'll get one, but not now. Sure people abuse the placards/stickers, but there are plenty of others out there like me who just "may be having a good day".

That's all.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I TOTALLY saw someone do that the other day! I was in my car in a shopping center, and this massive truck pulled in taking up FOUR spaces. I was so irritated!

Unbelievable! I know we have all seen people take up 2 spaces on purpose, but 4? Wow. When I saw this picture online the other day, I was shocked!


The other day I saw a car with a bumper sticker that said "I cannot park" and it had a stick figure illustration of a car taking up 2 spaces. I guess someone finally got mad at seeing this happen so they made bumper stickers to put on cars of the offenders. I have to admit, I laughed. And yes, I know it's not nice to laugh about vandalism.

 

[dispor]

Once again, because people seem to be not quite understanding - the entire purpose of a disabled parking space is to get the eligible person out of the flow of traffic as quickly and safely as possible. Period. It's not for the convenience of the person, it's not to alleviate any actual or potential pain, it's not to make things easier or faster for the person to whom the plate or placard was issued. It's solely to get/keep that person out of the flow of vehicular traffic with the greatest efficiency.

I believe you, but can you tell me where you are getting this information?

 

[Sparx]

Unbelievable! I know we have all seen people take up 2 spaces on purpose, but 4? Wow. When I saw this picture online the other day, I was shocked!


The other day I saw a car with a bumper sticker that said "I cannot park" and it had a stick figure illustration of a car taking up 2 spaces. I guess someone finally got mad at seeing this happen so they made bumper stickers to put on cars of the offenders. I have to admit, I laughed. And yes, I know it's not nice to laugh about vandalism.

There is a website where you can print out similar stickers. Its something like "You park like a _____" (non dis appropriate word)

Just knowing those stickers are out there definitely make me take the extra second to park courteously.

 

[dispor]

There have been days where I'm so dizzy from the vertigo(which could strike out of nowhere, possibly while in a store), or my eyes aren't focusing, or suddenly I can't remember the simplest things of what, where and why I'm there.

And you still have a LICENSE?????

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

NO kidding, anyone remember the pull in or back in thread

NO! How did I miss that one??

to you because I know how it feels to be on the bad end of a thread. I will jump in with my own opinion, but don't let it upset you.
I have a disability. It is not visable. And I don't need a handicap plate. But because it's not a physical disability, a lot of people get really judgemental towards me. Basically, what my point is, is that I totally understand having a "good day". When I wake up in the morning, I never know what the day will be like. Are there abuses of these plates? Yes. Is it human nature to wonder if someone who looks fine really needs a plate? Yes. No flames from me. We are all human and we all don't think non-judgementally all of the time.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

There is a website where you can print out similar stickers. Its something like "You park like a _____" (non dis appropriate word)

Just knowing those stickers are out there definitely make me take the extra second to park courteously.

That is SO funny! I wish I had the guts to at least leave a sign on their car saying something similar.

 

[luvmy3]

And you still have a LICENSE?????

My MIL suffers from Vertigo and she travels for her job.

 

[luvmy3]

NO! How did I miss that one??

to you because I know how it feels to be on the bad end of a thread. I will jump in with my own opinion, but don't let it upset you.
I have a disability. It is not visable. And I don't need a handicap plate. But because it's not a physical disability, a lot of people get really judgemental towards me. Basically, what my point is, is that I totally understand having a "good day". When I wake up in the morning, I never know what the day will be like. Are there abuses of these plates? Yes. Is it human nature to wonder if someone who looks fine really needs a plate? Yes. No flames from me. We are all human and we all don't think non-judgementally all of the time.

I just want to say that I would never judge you (or anyone else that doesn't have an obvious disability) to your face. I would never tsk-tsk you, or flash you a dirty look, or scold you or go up to you and ask what you are doing on that spot. However if I see someone like the woman today doing something that I would have a hard time doing, so easily I will question whether or not you are truly disabled. I have seen my share of people who abuse the system so I am skeptical by nature, so when I see something like what I saw to today I do assume the worst. Its not something I'm proud of, its just how I am.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I know that there are those who are handicapped that do not appear to be, but if you are able to purchase two 5 gallon water jugs (the kind that go into the water coolers) and a cart full of other stuff and are able to load it into your cart, push that cart and then unload them into your car, you are clearly not in need of that parking spot.
I normally don't get bothered by this stuff but there were two other people in the store who were handicapped, and for all I know that lady with the jugs took their parking spot

excuse me? I am with a HP PLATE and have no choice but to do this type of stuff! I have no one to do it for me, and I do it in severe pain! So are you a doctor?? you cannot judge a book by it's cover, you do not know what the person has to do after doing such tasks!!!!!!

 

[phorsenuf]

 

[Sparx]

That is SO funny! I wish I had the guts to at least leave a sign on their car saying something similar.

There's actually a horror movie about that! A lady left an angry note on someones car for bad parking, and the thugs hunted her down and tried to kill her. It's called While She Was Out