One from tonight

[protege]

This actually happened about 3 hours ago...

Like most Sundays, I'd gone over to my grandmother's. She's 92, and in an assisted-living place now. Most of the time, she uses a wheelchair, since she doesn't walk very well. As such, getting her into a car is usually an adventure.

Getting her out is much worse. Because I don't have a handicap placard or license plate, I can't park in one of those spots. (Not that I would, since I don't need one ) But, nearly every damn weekend, some idiot complains because I'll pull up outside Eat 'N' Park, put the flashers on, and then wheel her into the restaurant.

But, tonight took the cake. I spied a spot (which was at the very end of the aisle) just across the way from the door. I made sure to leave enough room to the right, so I wouldn't be blocking someone from getting into their car. Nor did I want to scratch their vehicle (a somewhat beat-up Ford Ranger) if her 'chair got away. So, as I'm helping Grandma into her chair, this van pulls up, and tries to pull in the space between my car and the truck next to me

She starts to turn in, and I'm like "what the hell are you doing?" before she saw how small the spot was. Didn't stop her from complaining about how "young people have no respect now." My reply? "Fuck off"

Probably not the best answer, but I take my grandmother's safety very seriously. I wasn't about to endanger her life because some cheap old bitch was upset she'd miss the cheap buffet

I also don't know why she was upset over not being able to park there. As she's busting my chops, I looked around, and saw that there was a space right in front, one opposite me, and several about 10 feet away

[Pagan]

I also don't know why she was upset over not being able to park there. As she's busting my chops, I looked around, and saw that there was a space right in front, one opposite me, and several about 10 feet away

Yeah, but she wanted that one, it's speshul and, by Goddess, you weren't going to stop her from getting it!

[LillFilly]

So, the car next to you was in a space, you were in a space, and she wanted to squeeze over the line in-between. Yeahhh...

That's like the people who park in the yellow lines between the handicap spots, thus keeping the parked handicap people from getting in or out of their cars.

[Javarod]

Hmmm, actually your Grandmother might qualify for a placard, even if she doesn't drive. Different states, municipalities, etc, different rules, but typically if you're driving her, it'd be legal to use the placard, since she is handicapped and needs assistance. Of course you can only use it when she's with you, and it'd be better to leave it with her between visits, some areas are very suspicious if you keep her permit with you.

[protege]

I thought about getting one for her. Problem is, she'd have a fit--since she's "not handicapped" Plus, so many people take her out during the week, it would probably get lost.

[raw456]

God some people are just jerks aren't they?

I sometimes drive my 89yr old Grandmother to the shops. She does have a disabled permit. I once had a car in front of me take the last disabled space. He was a young 20's something (not disabled in anyway) with NO permit. I stopped and asked him to move as he had no sticker and we did. He wasnt going to move till I pointed out my frail looking grandmother and asked if he really wanted to make her walk farther than she had too? He had the grace to look ashamed and moved his car.

[smileyeagle1021]

Something I'd like to point out before this turns into a 'bash the able bodied people who park in the handicap spot' thread, don't assume that just because the person you see getting in and out of the vehicle is able bodied doesn't mean that there isn't still a legit reason to use the space. I was once accosted by a vigilante who was irrate to see a young able bodied 20 year old opening the trunk of a car in the handicap spot and refused to listen as I explained that, yes I am able bodied, however, my grandma, in a wheelchair, in the store right now, needs her emergency insulin injection because she's having a hyperglycemic diabetic reaction and it is much quicker for me to run out and get the medicine for her than to wheel her out. So, moral of the story, don't make assumptions.

Back on topic... the driver in the OP is a royal douche...

[infinitemonkies]

I don't mean for this to sound like I'm bashing anyone or fratching, I'm just curious:

What are some of the conditions where someone can qualify for handicapped parking , appear to be able to walk without difficulty, and be a licensed driver?

I mean, I know some people who suffer seizures, epileptic or otherwise, can qualify for a handicapped parking pass, but my understanding is you can't get a driver's license if you've seized in the past <whatever the period of time is.>

I'm also aware there are valid reasons why a non-handicapped driver may park in a handicapped spot, alone, in a car with handicapped tags; For instance, picking up a handicapped person who was dropped off earlier.

[LillFilly]

I believe there's multiple things you can qualify to get a handicap card for; it depends on your doctor also. I've been told you can get one for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, even deafness. So it doesn't necessarily have to be something that affects your mobility, just your health in-general. I know a lot of older people that refuse to get one because they feel they can still manage 20 extra feet; and several of them really should be using the handicap spaces! I guess doctors can't discriminate against what type of disability it is, otherwise that would land the law on a slippery slope.

[protege]

Something I'd like to point out before this turns into a 'bash the able bodied people who park in the handicap spot' thread, don't assume that just because the person you see getting in and out of the vehicle is able bodied doesn't mean that there isn't still a legit reason to use the space.

That's the other reason I'm not getting one of those tags. I don't want some busy-body pissant to harass me over it.

[Primer]

When I first got my permit, the official reason was that my legs were different lengths. I had asked for one because I was having horrible back and hip pains and could barely walk. I found out later that the pain was/is from ruptured disks, and now arthritis, and not necessarily from the different leg lengths. I also found out a year ago when I had the left hip replaced that my legs really are not different lengths. My iliums are two different sizes, which causes the legs to seem to be different. Maybe when I get the other hip done, hopefully this winter, the doctor will be able to level things out a bit.

[Andara Bledin]

That's the other reason I'm not getting one of those tags. I don't want some busy-body pissant to harass me over it.

If you qualify for one and it will be of help, then I say go ahead and get one.

If someone gives you crap, just tell them to take it up with your doctor.

Of course, I sometimes like to get into it with jerks, so my advice might lean slightly towards the confrontational.

^-.-^

[Beckduer]

A guy I used to work with was in his early twenties, looked healthy and walked normally, but he had a prosthetic leg due to a childhood amputation. He would be harassed constantly about using the handicapped spots, but he was legitimately handicapped.

Go figure.

[Naaman]

A guy I used to work with was in his early twenties, looked healthy and walked normally, but he had a prosthetic leg due to a childhood amputation. He would be harassed constantly about using the handicapped spots, but he was legitimately handicapped.

Go figure.

I used to work with someone like that, he only had half a real leg. One was a full length prosthetic and the other one was below the knee), unless you knew what to look for (or listen on some days) it was very difficult to spot.

To be fair though he never got harassed; 6 foot, built like a brick shithouse and his other job was as a bouncer - nice chap though

[ditchdj]

Yeah it's fun when some self-important jerkoff decides to "Play Traffic Cop".

Kinda makes you wanna do a pit maneuver on them dont it???