Disabled rant and plea. [View All]

[Heathen57]

In our household, we have three disabled people and we have the license plates that allow us to park in the "handicapped" (I really don't care for that term) spaces. The times we have had someone who takes one of those spaces because 'I'm only gonna be a minute' are too many to count. For us, if the parking lot is full and the disabled spaces are full, we simply cannot shop there. I can walk less than a block before my legs start to give out. Even when we can find a 'normal' space, it is close enough that we cannot get the wheelchair to the door. The spaces are too small.

One other thing, the extra area next to the disabled spots are there for a reason. They are not made for someone to squeeze their compact into. I have actually seen this happen several times. Once when it happened to us, my late mother was with us and she couldn't take more than a step or two. We ended up having to carefully pull out of the space and help her into the van while in the driving lane. People got mad because they had to wait, but there was nothing else we could do. The fire lane in front of the store was also parked full. (This was during the Christmas rush BTW)

I also want to take a dig at those drivers who borrow their parent's or grandparent's placard so they can get the good spaces. Besides being arrogant, it is also illegal (in my state anyway) and the person who was issued the placard could end up losing the privilege and pay a fine.

So with the Christmas season coming up, I want to ask people to help with this problem. I figure most of us Dems have a sense of justice about things like this and wouldn't do this personally. (The majority of the offenders, if they have a political sticker at all, it is Republican) If you see things like this happening, please alert the store, or call the proper agency. Those caught without a placard in a disabled space here get a ticket for at least $50.00.

It would make it a darn sight easier on folks like us, and maybe we could go out of the house more.