Disabled Parking

[Backy]

Went to local Supermarket this morning, the disabled bays were full so I parked out of the way at the side of store,I was told in a very rude tone that I should not park there because he could not get his trolley passed, when I pointed out to him that I was disabled and unable to walk far and there was ample space for him to pass,when I asked for an apology he just stomped off. Its not the first time and wont be the last.

[popsmith1874]

This makes my blood boil, you get some very ignorant people in the world we live in, don't let it worry you as you'll just be wasting energy and we all know how it feels to be in this situation xxx

[hawker955]

We see thi a lot. Selfish people are the only explanation.

[ldwilliams]

You wont like my reply I'm sure - but you parked incorrectly, its their land, so a blue badge doesn't allow us to park where we want there. I feel that you should have either waited until a space became available or returned another time. Being disabled does not mean that we can break the shops own rules, after all most would have complained about your parking whether you were disabled or not.

[Backy in reply to ldwilliams]

The cark park has got rules.So why do people park in Disabled bays without blue badge.The car park has no Attendant,staff are not responsible for car park.It is controlled by cameras. I also live 8 miles from town.I take your point, but I can assure you I was not blocking any footway.There are rules to the use of a blue badge,which I fully understand. Thankyou for your post the answers I got were interesting.

[ldwilliams in reply to Backy]

I wasn't disagreeing with you as such, just that as you have just said, people park where they should not, no matter who they are, able bodied and not.

My own local shops only have 3 disabled bays, and they believe it or not are the furest spaces from the start of the Shops!. i can now no longer drive, so what we often do is for my friend to drop me off right at the start of the shops and Then go park up, using my badge

[Hidden in reply to ldwilliams]

Agreed idwilliams.. it is hard when people park in the wrong place. And I agree with Backy too - it is frustrating when all of the disabled bays are taken. It has honestly gotten so bad that I don't even try to park in the disabled spots any more unless I am really bad that day because 1) I get accosted when I do (I don't look 'sick enough') (gee... thanks!), and 2) because it seems like so many people need them now. But it is problematic when people park in the wrong place or way. I saw one guy park in the blue lined spaces between two disabled spots that is supposed to be left open for van access. Sheesh... I wished (probably wrongly - ha ha) that someone would give him a ticket...anyway...

[Jesnaskah]

That is so rotten!!! Where's the compassion? Doesn't anyone have a heart anymore!?!?

[BoneyC]

Sometimes if there are no blue badge spaces available, I park in a mother and child space. I'm aware this might annoy mothers with babies etc. but I need a space where I can open doors wide and not have to walk too far as I'm in pain. Mothers might need to open doors wide, but are they in pain?

With all the news about people being knocked off PIP and losing Motability vehicles, there doesn't seem to be any less blue badge holders around. Most car parks don't have enough blue badge spaces, or they put them further away from the doors than mother and child - don't get that? Even our hospital has a blue badge car park well away from the main entrances - why?

[stel4 in reply to BoneyC]

I agree that most car parks don't have enough disabled spaces, and they don't seem to be monitored for abuse of use. I think that mother and child spaces are close, so as not to put children in danger, by waking through a car park.

[BoneyC in reply to stel4]

Good point, mother and child spaces are nearer so children don't have to cross the road in a car park. On the negative of this, children (and parents) need exercise and it's not teaching them to cross a road safely.

[stel4 in reply to BoneyC]

I completely agree that walking is good for children. However, a car park doesn't really have roads as such, with cars reversing out of spaces, manoeuvring etc.

[AnneField in reply to BoneyC]

We park in M&C spaces if I'm having a flare up too. I don't qualify for a blue badge but on a bad day, I'm so stiff that I have to have the door opened out full and be helped up and out. The way I see it, I did not choose to have RA. Parenting, however, is a choice. Same goes for the wheelchair vs. buggy debate on buses, disability is not a lifestyle choice.

[BoneyC in reply to AnneField]

Agreed, good point.

[norwegianjock in reply to BoneyC]

Totally agree with you. If I'm flared up I use the bay with my badge of course on a good day I will park a little bit further away at the end of the row then I get a wee bit of exercise in not very often I can do this but I like to try.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Backy. I'm sure if you parked outside the supermarket's rules you'll be contacted by them. As for grumpy man, some people are just that way out, I dare say whether there was plenty of room to get past your car or not he'd have moaned at you about something. Rise above it, forget him & next time maybe park in a normal bay as close as you can. You may also do this but I always use the smaller trolleys even if I'm only wanting the odd thing, I use it as a walker. It does mean you'll need to walk back to your car unaided once you've returned it to the trolley park but still, it helps ease the drudge of shopping.

[davannh]

My understanding is that it is perfectly acceptable for disabled people to park in Mother & Baby spaces. When I had small children these spaces had not been invented and they do not need to be close to the shop. I know mothers need to be able to open doors wide to get children into and out of child seats but they can do that further away from the main entrance.

[BoneyC in reply to davannh]

Thanks, I wont feel so guilty parking in a M&B space. I feel the same, M&B spaces could be further away from entrance, teach the children that walking is good for them and learn to be aware of traffic. It's vague, at what age should parents stop using M&B spaces, after the children stop using a car seat??

[Dodo1943 in reply to BoneyC]

Oh Boney: I was left speechless when I saw an antisocial neighbour park in an M&B space with her only passenger her son - in his late teens and extremely fit and healthy!

[BoneyC in reply to Dodo1943]

I know sometimes its difficult because we don't know if someone has a hidden disability, but sometimes people can be inconsiderate of others.

[Backy in reply to davannh]

Mother & Baby spaces are for that purpose, my daughter has 7 & 5 years old boys, she does not park in M&B spaces, these days babies are in purpose made seat which is removed and placed on wheels or trolley,space is needed to remove them.I do not park in M&B spaces.

[nomoreheels in reply to Backy]

Generally, & by that I mean the major supermarkets in the UK, the cut off age for Parent & Child designated parking spaces (they're not called Mother & Baby spaces) is 12, though I'm not sure how many actually display the age limit on their signs but it is 12. So, your daughter (yourself if you have both or either grandchild) would be well within her rights to use them if she has her children (or a child) with her.

[Kathies]

I never had M&B spaces when I was a young mum, however did I survive? I was harangued by an elderly woman who wanted to park in the disabled bay where I parked because I "look perfectly alright" and she was "really suffering". I tried to sympathise with her and pointed out that I had many mobiilty issues that were not really any of her business and I had a legal blue badge, same as her, but she was just plain nasty, so I stuck my nose in the air and carried on. If she had been polite I might have considered moving out of respect for her greater age, but the rudeness did it for me in the end. It's not just able bodied that have the problems sometimes!

[Gnarli]

Good for you. Confronting the ignorant and demanding an apology. I like your style, Backy. I only wish it wasn't necessary. Hugs

J

[davannh]

I agree that M&B spaces should be used for that purpose but if there are no disabled spaces available I will use one. I am a wheelchair user and need wide doors to get in and out and manoeuvre my wheelchair. I firmly believe a mother can manage in another space perhaps further away. After all they do have legs. I cannot manage.