Handicap Parking Permits
 

Who has one?

Do you REALLY need it?

I have one for my car, because I drive around one of my grandparents who doesn't have a car. I know a few people MY AGE who actually has their own. IMO I don't think any of them need it. I think they have entitlement issues. It really bothers me for some reason.

I have one.

I really need it. If a close space is available that is not handicapped, I will take it instead. But, I have no problem parking with my permanent state tag. (I use my placard if I am not in my car.)

I was hit head-on at 70 mph by a drunk driver. I have had a broken patella. I also deal with back problems. and have struggled to deal with the health problems that have resulted.
And, I have a heart defect that makes me very tired just by walking a bit.

I hate when people sit and talk about those who use handicapped decals, tags, etc. I have actually had people see me pull into a handicapped spot and tell me I cannot park there. I have to tell them to look at my tag. One time, a woman saw me sitting in my car, knocked on my window, and told me nothing was wrong with me. What she didn't see was the obvious limp I have from my knee being broken.

Just because I don't use a wheelchair or crutches does not mean that I am not disabled. I will never run or play sports again. I am not supposed to walk long distances.

Yes, there are people who abuse the system. But, there are those of us that do need handicapped tags that get lumped in with the bad ones.

My mother and I both have one for our cars because we often drive my ailing grandmother around. My friends always try to get me to use the tag whenever parking's scarce, but I don't know, I get really guilty because I'm one of those who get pissed off at people who wrongfully use handicapped parking privileges.

I had a friend in college that I used to carpool with. His family operated a care home and so he had the "special" handicapped tags & placards. He'd take advantage of the choice parking and he'd FAKE his limp after he got out of the car and resumed walking normally when he was out of sight from the lot. He'd drive me nuts.

I have a Frat Brother who had his knees replaced and he had cancer. He's gone through therapy and walks normally now. People always used to assume that he didn't need a permit until they asked.

SOME people really need them even if they SEEM normal and fine.

When my mother was diagnosed with emphysema, but before she needed oxygen 24/7, she had a sticker. People used to question her and a few even yelled at her.

My neighbor who is disabled, actually had someone follow him to his house to continue to harass him about parking in a handicapped spot because his disability isn't that obvious. He had to call the cops on the psycho!

Not all disabilities are obviously notable.

Dee

Now that's crazy.

People ASSume that you're only handicapped if you resemble the sticker. I wish I could write folks a ticket that ask me about my Frat brother.

I understand that not all disabilities are visible. I'm sure that many REALLY do need them. I was referring to specific people who I know. One of them is a dancer. Another one plays a lot of intramural sports. You can't be that active and be unable to walk a few extra feet on the parking lot. It just makes me wonder how may people are abusing these permits.

Have you approached them and asked how or why they have it?

There are a lot of good, valid reasons to need and use handicap spots.

On occassion, though, I'd like to be able to find a prove that some who use them don't really need to.

Then, I'd like to make it so some of those particular people will need them in the future.

Well, not really, but it's a lovely thought.

I don't know if other states have these but here in Wilmington, NC, we have expectant mother parking spots next to the handicapped ones. I gotta tell ya, there is nothing more irritating then to see a MAN park in one of those. You are so obviously not pregnant unless there have been in advances in science that I am not aware of.

My dad who has a prosthetic arm has never used a handicap sticker and never will. He was asked at a National Park once if he wanted to use the discounted Vets price of admission and he said no, since he's not a Vet and the clerk got a little annoyed. Whatever, he was being honest dude!

Growing up my best friend had cerebral palsy and her parents used the sticker from time to time. I know they most certainly used it when she was in a wheelchair/on cruches after surgery but even then they would get dirty looks from people. I guess unless you're a senior citizen people don't think you should get to use a sticker? ::shrug:: double standard if you ask me

A few years ago one of my friends had knee surgery and had a handicap sticker in her window. But it was a temporary one and half the time she didn't even use it...her dad always yelled at her that she shouldn't be walking across a parking lot if she didn't need to.

I know a lot of people who have the tags that don't need them. I thought about getting one myself, but I can't do stuff like that. My concious eats me alive.

On a similar note (but I didn't want to start a new thread):

What makes you more angry-

Knowing that there are people out there who have the placards and don't need them,

or Knowing that there are people out there who don't have the placards and park in the spots anyway?