So I have had a handicap parking placecard since 2016. When I first got it in 2016 I was still using canes. I could somewhat still walk 200ft without resting, but it was difficult so my MS doctor insisted on it. Now I'm in a power wheelchair. Have a wheelchair driveable minivan. And cannot walk 5 feet without falling.
All I see is seniors with handicap parking who can walk farther then I have been able to in ten years. Walk thru the whole effing store even!😤 Also, no one cares about the van accessible handicap spots that are needed for my automatic ramp that folds out. I'm thinking of trying to somehow start a movement to change this. It's just wrong! Seniors do not need a handicap spot because they are old. In fact, most seniors have a spouse that may actually need it, but still use it for themselves even though they don't need it.
Just infuriating!😵
Written by
palomino27
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Totally agree with what you’re saying 😡 One thing that really gets me is when the driver sets in the car and doesn’t go in. Not right, drop off passenger at door park in regular spot and pick up at door. I have actually said things to the driver sitting in the car, probably get my ass kicked one of these days, but that’s ok. I think way too many people have taken advantage of permit😣. Probably 4 years ago I had to have doctor write ✍️ a letter and now I have handicapped plates. If you’re handicapped spend the time and money and get a plate! When I go with my buddy he drops me off at the door and picks me up. We all have phones 📱 call your friends or spouse and have them pick you up at door. Don’t take up handicapped spots 👍🙏😉🤗🇺🇸🇺🇸 Ken 🐾🐾🐾🐾
I have the handicapped placards cuz I’m never in the same car and I don’t own a car. Before I was ever on a cane or walker I had it. I had b4 I was diagnosed with MS I was just walking around with Stills Disease, then MS became part of my life but I wasn’t on any aids. Then I move to the cane, now the hospital walker.
I looked like I was able to walk just like the seniors but I couldn’t. You have no clue what’s wrong with them you have invisible diseases that you’ll never know about. My sister will go inside the store and I’ll sit in the car in the parking spot cuz I can or sometimes they don’t have the carts for me to go into the store . That person could be waiting for a cart to come or waited for one that never became available.
The other day we went to sams club and I was going to go in but there were no carts, so the person I was with parked and went in and when I saw a cart 30 mins later I was able to go in but I had to call the person to have them get the cart b4 someone grabbed it
I don’t know what state you’re in but in Illinois handicapped placards are only given out to those who need them and the highest you can get is the yellow one, which I have . The police do walk to see if you should have that placard and they will take it from you and fine you if you’re not supposed to have that placard
Are you allowed to vent yes but just don’t assume that there’s nothing wrong with the person who is walking or sitting in the car.
Imagine how that person feels every time someone does that to them. As soon as they get out the car or gets into one of those handicap carts.
I have a handicap hang tag, and you can’t tell by looking at me that I have MS. I use it when I need to; those days when my legs are weaker and my balance is poor. I assume those older adults could have disabilities that are not as visible as well?
OK so you both have a point. Some people use them without the disabled person in the car but i strongly agree that there are many invisible illnesses. MS can be one of them! We should be the last ones to judge. I had one before, when I could walk without an assistance device (walker) just a year ago because the strength it took me to get from the parking garage down the block carrying my laptop to my office became too much for me. MS was invisible for me the first 8 years. Believe me I did not want to ask for a handicap placard. It's humbling. I don't want to be labeled "handicapped." A few people abuse it but mostly let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Just my two cents.
I do not totally agree. I need the parking spot or two that is wheelchair accessible, which are the ones closest and usually taken. My MS started as invisible too when I got the placecard. I feel horrible about taking those closest spots for wheelchair vans back then. I would of been fine doing the extra 25'. Now my biggest fear is coming out of somewhere and I don't have room for my automatic ramp to fold out.
There needs to be different tiers of handicap parking. Wheelchair van spots, atleast,need to be that only.
If you are with a friend or partner who can drop you off at the door and they do not have mobility issues it is immoral to still park in the handicap parking spots even though you still have a placecard.
Here in Wisconsin at least I've never seen them checked.
I think, park in a wheelchair van accessible handicap parking spot without a van with a ramp should be an instant tow and $1000 fine. Those spots have the extra room for a very specific reason.
I understand your dilemma to the best of my ability. I'm not in that situation. So are you suggesting that I not use a handicap spot because i'm only using a walker?
If you are with someone who can drop you off no you should not park in a handicap spot atleast not the wheelchair Van ones. If you are alone you should use a handicap spot just not the wheelchair van accessible spot. I will say I am guilty of this in the past but now being in that place of having to park a mile out so my van ramp isn't blocked my perspective has changed greatly. If my ramp is blocked I'm screwed and could be waiting a long time.
I, too, don't like to be labeled handicapped, but why is that? There is probably a better time and place to explore this topic, but at this moment, I think it is partly reflective of a greater problem in our culture. Perhaps it's related to our primate origins where the weak members of the troupe endangered all...but surely, in the millions of years since, we could have evolved to see beyond surface differences to recognize the humanity of each an every individual, no matter how we appear to one another? I struggle with my feeling of embarrassment and gratitude every time a driver slows or stops for me when I am in a crosswalk, or when someone rushes to open a door for me and I am briefly angry when others are heedless of my struggle. Somehow, in evolving from primate to modern human, we haven't learned how to notice, understand and accept as we have failed to inculcate the concepts of gratitude and generosity of spirit.
thanks goatgal Beautifully expressed. I am thankful when people hold doors for me etc. I used to do that for others just to be polite. Also irritated when others (like my neighbor) see me struggle and get an attitude about sharing the driveway with my new ramp.
If a person is using it that it is not assigned to it, that is actually illegal by me. I am not sure how one would find out it belongs to a spouse. Parking lots are private property and police can’t do much about it.
Waiting zones disappeared because of bombings using vehicles. The store has teens out doing carts and they are not going to speak up.
These are unenforceable as they exist, if there is a valid placard in the car. Educating people is a great start. Changing signage to “this is not a drop off and wait zone”, maybe. Seniors sometimes feel they have earned their way to that closer spot, but some still park away. I wonder if it is to reduce distance and therefore reduce chances of slip and falls? Not sure. They could have good and bad days and you may be seeing a good day. And, yes, some are just ignorant to the whole system.
I am not sure what qualifies one for a placard. If it is just a doctor’s note, then the issue starts there.
In Wisconsin at least, to get a placecard, one is supposed to not be able to walk 200ft without resting as certified by an MD or NP. I think this is the supposed to be the max distance to get a cart....
I've got a placard since??? a decade ago.? I think I used it once or twice myself when I first got it, when I felt totally justified in using it. But since then, never. Couldn't tell you if it was still valid or not. Why, because of the personal honor system, which I still have. I'm lucky I don't need it anymore. I now often actually park at the furthest spots so that I get more walking steps in, even if there are many spots closer. If I'm feeling iffy, I look for a distant spot with a shopping walker (cart) nearby. Now my friend, still uses his, and I cringe, because I don't think he needs it. He's had a double lung transplant years ago. Carries oxygen or an oxygen concentrator with him almost everywhere he goes, even though he seems to use it like someone sipping a fine cognac. He has been in and out of the hospitals with breathing issues like I go to the grocery stores. Yet I cringe because I don't think he's bad enough to warrant use of such a placard. Sound familiar? You really don't know the whole story, and have to believe there is reason, even though you may not see it. I don't see why he is so obsessed with the weight of everything that he may have to carry short distances. Does 4 ounces really matter? He looks just fine to me. Yes I still get those wet noodle days, but I wouldn't think of digging out the placard, that I think I used much more than for myself, with the mother in law who had Parkinson's so bad she couldn't take but a few steps till she turned to stone, frozen. Yes, we used a wheel chair, and the guy with M.S. fatigue would push her in her wheelchair to where we were going. The placard came in handy.Yes, there will always be, like dishonest politicians, those who abuse and take advantage. But, life is a whole lot easier, if you simply believe in humanity. The oxygen my friend carries around, I don't see under his shirt or coat. He doesn't pull out the plastic breathing tube but here and there during a day. And he lives off of six packs of Ensure or the like as he can't tolerate real food. But, even I who can spend 8 hours on the same tiny boat with him, have a hard time seeing the need for it. From the guy with M.S., who was issued a parking placard years ago, and ethically only used it on himself a couple times. It's now always what you can and can't see. Do you see humanity as good or evil? When you can see it as good, even though life may be harder than you think it should be, your life will be easier? Sometimes it takes more out of you to worry about justice than simply struggling through life.
I do agree that there are some people who take advantage of the handicap placard, but I'm unwilling to tar all with the same brush. I'm a senior, with MS, with a handicap placard. I am still able to walk, not well, but on hot days I absolutely do need it. The rest of the time, I try to leave spaces open for those who have a greater need than I; those times I try to park near the cart return slots so I can use a cart to help me walk the greater distance.
Perhaps the most workable solution would be to make all handicap spaces van accessible as well as increase their number. In the strip mall nearest me, the handicap spaces (4) are in front of the grocery; none are van accessible. There are no handicap spaces at all in front of the restaurants, pack&ship, pharmacy, etc.
Here, I'll start another one. Using the expanded handicap stall in the bathroom without a wheelchair. This is the only stall I can now use because of the power wheelchair and there is only one. Yet time and time again, I see people use that stall even with all the other stalls open. Do people understand or give a crap if that happens to me, I'm probably peeing in my pants?!?!?
In regards to the parking spot. I don't care if the "VAN" accessible spots are at the back of the lot. With my power wheelchair I don't care how close I am anymore anyway. I just want guaranteed extra room because inevitably someone will park next to my van even with a large sticker on the van ramp door window that my van needs extra room for a ramp to fold out. But usually employees park in those areas and for some reason all close to each other.....
I long for the days when my MS disability was "invisible" and people may or may not have judged me. Because now, I can barely exist in this world outside my home.
palomino27 I have used the wheelchair access bathroom stalls I'll admit it, before I needed the walker because of discomfort with enclosed small places. Don't get me started on invisible issues and psychiatry. That whole area is invisible to the untrained eye. Of course if someone else really needed it i would use another one or wait.
i have had people use them and i when they walk out and see me they drop their head to avoid eye contact
i had this one lady see me walking to the bathroom stall and rush to beat me too it and i shamed her where she had to walk out of it to the stares of others
Wow! Ok! We all need to slow down here. Remember, MS and many other health problems are invisible!!! We cannot judge someone based on appearances. It is up to a patient and their doctor alone to decide who qualifies for a placard!!!!!
I’ve had one for nearly 20 years!! No, I don’t regularly use a cane, Walker, or wheelchair. But every step I can save by parking closer increases the opportunity to finish the errand I began!! It is not uncommon to walk into a store just fine and then be barely walking by the time I’m done!!! So having my car closer is extremely valuable!!
Even walking thirty feet in extreme heat can take a huge toll on my walking, so if parking closer helps reserve energy I’m going to use my placard!!!
And no, I shouldn’t be abandoned at the door while my husband goes off to park the car!
Of course we can be considerate of the spots with ramp access, but let’s remember we all have reasons for our placards.
I have both a placard and license plate. The placard has my photo on it, so no one else can use it. I use a cane to help keep my balance and use shopping carts as walkers, even if I only need an item or two. I've been to many places where even the handicap spots are so close together you can't fully open your door without dinging the car next to you. Went to one hotel in Illinois where the only 2 handicap spots were at the farthest ends of the parking lot up next to the building with the front door in the middle. I've also been in parking lots where all the handicap spots are van accessible. I have an SUV not a van, and don't use a wheel chair. Please don't quick judge those who don't need a wheelchair and use the handicap spots, van accessible or not.
I will complain about vehicles parked in disabled spots and have no disability placard or license plates on it. Those individuals are the source of my irritation.
Now that is my biggest problem with a car is parked in a handicapped parking spot and don't have the placard or the license plate on the car. To me that person is being disrespectful to a disabled person who needs that handicapped spot. In the state of Georgia, a person can be fined $500 for not displaying their placard or have a license plate.
Until I pointed out to my husband he didn’t realize that there were different sorts of handicap spots so I had to educate him on the ones that say they are van assessable so that those are the ones that he does not park in. I agree with rjoneslaw , we don’t know everyone’s story. Let’s not shame each other 🧡
Palomino, It's fancy 59 and understand both sides of the argument so that I think both have very valid points. I also get disgusted when I look and look for a handicapped parking spot and there are none to be found so I pull over to the side and wait for a bit to see what opens up. I can tell you from years of having to be forced to use the handicap parking spots that a large percentage of people are simply taking Advantage of parking close to the store. I understand there are many people who have invisible and unde/rlying illnesses but when I see a supposedly heart patient run in the store faster than I've been able to run in 5 years to pick up 2 things and run right back out I seriously think they are using their heart Issues as their cane to be able to park close the store when they're in a hurry. I can't walk 10' without worrying about falling on my face but when they get out of their car and run in the stores For a quick errand and run right back out full force again and hop in their car I also start having steam come out my ears and get really mad.
I watched an early 20th gentleman jump out of his little fancy sports car with the handicapped placard on it and go running into kroger's literally. When he came out I had to confront him I couldn't help myself and I asked why he had the handicap sticker on his vehicle when he obviously lives in the prime of his life and very healthy. He said it was his grandfather's and he had dropped him off earlier and wanted to find him but couldn't. I looked at him and shook my head and said I've been setting out here for 30 minutes waiting on my husband who is shopping and you did not drop anyone off before you parked in this spot. The spot is designed for people who really need it. He looked at me and laughed and said it's legal you can't do anything about it because I have a legal parking Handicap Placard.
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I realised many people have Underlying health issues you cannot see on the surface That need the stickers even though it appears they don't. All I can say is that the vast majority of people I've watched walk out of the big Box stores or food markets do not show any sign of needing the handicap stickers Before they hopped in their car and zip down the road. I can only at this point trust in my view of life that karma is a very powerful thing and for those who take advantage of using things They don't need and thereby take away from those who do need it will one day have to face karma in their lives. I believe in the old saying what goes around comes around and I know that someday they will get their just rewards when they find themselves in a position where they need the special handicap parking spots and they are simply Full of people who don't really need them.
i agree i have a placard but don't use every time i go to the store for it depends how i am feeling ..if it is a cool day i usually don't have to use it but again there have been days where i know i can't walk the distance to the door but if a cart is close i can get there but then i have to take it back then what do i do...so it does depends on how i am feeling ...i know some look at me for i do walk pretty good with the cart but take it away and it is way different so we do have to stop judging them for we don't know what is the problem...love and happiness...
However, we should not be quick in passing judgment. Remember the beginning of your MS, the old adage “oh,but you look so good “. I fought using my handicap card for years feeling guilty that I should be able to walk, in the Florida summer heat. My doctor had to firmly remind me that the energy used just to walk that distance effects the MS body, whether visible or not.
I do agree though that van accessible spots are given no consideration at all. I had a friend stuck in her van for hours due to the thoughtless driver who parked to close, and she couldn’t get out.
I have a handicap placard and I walk fine, without devices. Sometimes further than other times before I may have to rest. We all know how MS works. You never know what is going on with people and I don’t think it’s my place to judge. I’ve been judged, by a brave man who told me that “my car” didn’t look like a handicap car. What? There’s no such thing! I think we should all mind our own business and when someone too ignorant to do so (like the gentleman I’m referring to), I’ll let roll off my shoulder. I don’t owe anybody an explanation and no one has to explain anything to me. It’s not my business! It’s not my place to judge!
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