[ParaforGod]

I've not been feeling well so Friday I didn't feel like getting out but I had a doctors appointment to get trigger point injections for pain. I went for my appointment and then decided to go to Wal-Mart for some things I needed. I parked in the handi-cap space on the very end which had a sign van accessible. With the parking space being on the very end there was a big section of the blue lines which is a no parking zone. I go into the store and when I come out there is a car parked on the lines which is a no parking zone and I am stuck in a situation where I can't let my ramp down but what really got to me was the car had a handi-cap tag on it. I thought of all people they should know better. This is the fourth time a vehicle has blocked me in at Wal-Mart but never a vehicle with a handi-cap sticker or tag. I was very upset. I go into the store with the tag No. and the make of the car and explain the situation. I am told they will announce the information. I wait and wait and wait then I am told the person in the car is checking out and will be right out. I see this person comming toward the car giving me a look like I just dare you to say anything. As she gets close I ask is this your car. She very rudely and hatefully says yes it is. I then said in a polite way you are parked illegally and I have waited on you for over 35 mins. because you have me blocked and I can't let my ramp down to get in my van. Very rudely she tells me that she is not parked illegally. I said you are parked on the blue lines in a no parking zone. I then ask her do you not have a handi-cap sticker on your car? She said yes I do so I then said then you of all people should know better. She said a few ugly things and she again said she wasn't parked illelgally and she parked there to let her mother out. I ask where her mother was and she said in the store. People could hear how rude she was and started comming up to me asking did I need help. A few even ask was she giving me a hard time. By this time I had figured out by things said before that she didn't have anyone with her. I ask could she not have let her mother out and then parked the car she then said she had to park there to let her mother out to go to the bathroom and she didn't have a catheter like me. When she came out of the store she had on medical scrubs as if she had just gotten off from work and she didn't have her mother with her during this whole conversation. She was so rude and by this time I had just had it. I have never called the police on anyone and if she had not had such a ugly attitude I wouldn't have her but I had had it. I told her again not to talk to me she could talk to a officer. After I called the police she ask did I want her to move her car so I could get in my van. I told her no I wanted her to stay right where she was. She said she was going to go and get her mother. I ask couldn't her mother walk out to the car she said she could but she wasn't going to. Then she told me her mother was in a wheelchair just like me after telling me she could walk out. I ask could she not roll her mother out. She said she could but she wasn't going to. I told her again not to talk to me she needed to talk to the officer when he got there. She got into her car and drove off all by herself. Now this is the bad part. When the officer got there he said she was parked illegally but if anyone parked there had a handi-cap sticker or tag they wouldn't write them a ticket because the judge would just throw it out. I was so mad and so was others standing there. I said you mean to tell me that Im parked legally but if anyone wants to park in a no parking zone and block me in for no telling how long its ok. I then ask where is this fair to me or others. I ask so if I don't want to ride around and wait for a parking space or I don't want to go to the end of the parking lot park double at a angle so no one can block me in I can just park on the blue lines and block someone else in. He said no. I said thats what you just told me. He said he understood and I told him no he didn't that I had walked up to the year 2000 and I didn't have a clue but that when I walked I never parked in a handi-cap space because its the law and most of all because I had enough respect for those who needed it. No he didn't understand. He told me next time to call the police then inform the store and the officer would determine if the person needed to park there or not. So I guess if Im blocked in I just have to wait. Im sorry for the long post but do you think just because a person has a handi-cap sticker or tag they should be allowed to park illegally and block someone in? I don't.

[RacingAxe]

ParaforGod, on Jul 17 2007, 08:59 PM, said:

...Im sorry for the long post but do you think just because a person has a handi-cap sticker or tag they should be allowed to park illegally and block someone in? I don't.

To some people this is a black and white issue. They say there is never an excuse for parking on the blue no-parking lines, not even an inch. I don't agree with that due to the numbskulls that crowd the next space so much that another person cannot help but park a few inches onto the blue lines. But your story clearly points out that there are people out there that blatantly break the law (and get away with it) and on top of it all are causing problems for those that truly need the handicap parking and especially parking with van access.
When I go shopping on weekends I am always looking for any other person in a wheelchair. Just to ask if they happened to get one of the many spots reserved. At the store I frequent, there are not less than twenty handicap spots but it is rare on a weekend to actually get one without waiting for ten or twenty minutes. The closest I've seen to someone in a wheelchair is someone in the store motorcart who has eaten too much and can't bear to be on their feet long enough to buy more food.
Anyway, back to your question...No, a person with a handicap sticker should not be allowed to park illegally and should know enough not to block someone in.

[Tim13]

Interesting, I've thought about using that little extra spot before but always chickened out.
Blocking another vehicles access is terribly rude and an open invitation to vandalism IMO, but seeing a person who is actually handicapped using a handicap parking space is such a rarity, i can see how people could get the idea that it doesn't matter how close they park.

Wish some of these cities would get a clue about what a gold mine they're missing out on by not enforcing parking laws.

[hockeydahc]

That sucks! and I'm 100% behind you. I'm glad you stood up to the officer, and he should have done more with the license plate number. Next time, God forbid, call the police first like he said and demand they get a ticket. and if the officer is so sure the judge will throw it out, tell them you'll be there there that day and you'll see him there.

People can have those parking placards revoked! some definitely should.

[lune14]

Tim13, on Jul 17 2007, 07:41 PM, said:

Interesting, I've thought about using that little extra spot before but always chickened out.

I'm curious as to why you considered using that spot? You are talking about the space indicated as non-parking by the diagonal lines yes?

[Joed]

Quote

Im sorry for the long post but do you think just because a person has a handi-cap sticker or tag they should be allowed to park illegally and block someone in? I don't.

Absolutely not. And if her mother wasn't with her, then she has no right to park in any of the h'cap spaces at all. But we all know that this is a much too common practice. But aside from that...what she did was still wrong/illegal.

It's unfortunate that the police officer seemingly couldn't be bothered with seeing this to some kind of acceptable conclusion. Having the plate number, the least he could've done was speak with the woman and hopefully impress upon her the error of her ways...maybe then she'd think twice about doing the same thing again. Hopefully, it was enough to have heard from you and she will be more aware in the future. *sigh* We can always hope, eh?

I agree with hockeydahc:

Quote

if the officer is so sure the judge will throw it out, tell them you'll be there there that day and you'll see him there.

Tell him you'll bring the doughnuts.

[Tim13]

lune14, on Jul 18 2007, 05:09 PM, said:

Tim13, on Jul 17 2007, 07:41 PM, said:

Interesting, I've thought about using that little extra spot before but always chickened out.

I'm curious as to why you considered using that spot? You are talking about the space indicated as non-parking by the diagonal lines yes?

I'm talking about the nice big spots on the end of some parking lots that are there solely to make the parking spaces angle correctly-not talking about the areas in between van accessable parking spaces.
Sometimes i get a little fed up with seeing every single H/C parking spot filled with cars that are not supposed to be there and that nice big spot on the end looks very tempting when the only other option is to either circle the lot waiting for somebody to move or take a chance on a regular spot and hope i don't get blocked in.

Back to the question about using a H/C placard to park illegally...i haven't checked the rules in Florida but another state I lived in allows a vehicle with a handicap placard to park pretty much anywhere it wants to as long as it isn't obstructing traffic or causing a safety hazard.

Want to add too that the kind of rotton attitude Paraforgod encountered pretty much mirrors every single experience I've had when confronting ABs who are illegally parked, people just don't understand or care that their minor convenience of parking a few feet closer to the door could be completely depriving someone else of their ability to get in and out of their vehicle.

This post has been edited by Tim13: 18 July 2007 - 09:54 PM

[hockeydahc]

that's why in another post when someone asked about personal ticket forms to place on the windshield of cars illegally parked, I thought of the sign I've seen somewhere on here instead of actual little notes that made more of a joke about it.

"If you can't grasp why disabled people need this space: WE SUGGEST: go and break your f***ing spine."

I thought those printed up would do just nicely. wait I may have a pic to attach

[smokymtn memories]

Shame on that person and all the rest that abuse handicapped parking areas. They (parking spaces) are few and far between as it is. I don't need the extra space for a wheel chair and try to park in designated areas accordingly, but would never crowd in on the blue lines. That is most definitely illegal. I would like to think law enforcement would do something about the illegal parking, but unfortunately one sees many vehicles using these spaces that should'nt be there, and they seem to get away with it.

[Katherine]

I placed stickers on door where my lift opens to ask people please do not block the door. It has not made any difference at all. I do have countlessly left parking lots and gone somewhere else because there were no places available for a lift to open. People can be so ignorant.

[Bulky]

Where I live in Australia, the accessible spots are about 1.5 standard parks wide. Same problems as what's being discussed here.....people without passes or borrowed passes think they have every right to park in these parks.

[wheeliebear75]

Sorry to hear that happened PrayerForGod. Unfortunately no not everyone understands that the "hash marks" are not a space at all. I think a lot of ambulatories think that all a handicapped space is is just a closer one. On my DMV paperwork it specifically states what privileges you are entitled to; as well where you may not park (red zones, yellow zones, and "hash marks") I guess people should read the papers better.


I have a story that might make you laugh.
I was sitting in the car (my chair, myself, and groceries were already loaded; I was waiting for my driver to buy a paper from the news stand after taking the cart back) An older lady approached me and "scolded" me for sitting in a handicapped spot. I assured her that I was legally there I use a wheelchair and that if she would care to wait for my driver we'd show her the chair in the trunk. She informed me that those plaques are "for older people who put in their dues". OK? I guess she needs to inform the DMV they've been giving out plaques to us undeserving young people. I guess I can sort of see why she would think a young person should not be in a disabled space......but disability is a club anybody can join with no regard to age, gender, race, or financial position in life.

wheeliebear75, on Jul 20 2007, 03:51 AM, said:

Sorry to hear that happened PrayerForGod. Unfortunately no not everyone understands that the "hash marks" are not a space at all. I think a lot of ambulatories think that all a handicapped space is is just a closer one. On my DMV paperwork it specifically states what privileges you are entitled to; as well where you may not park (red zones, yellow zones, and "hash marks") I guess people should read the papers better.


I have a story that might make you laugh.
I was sitting in the car (my chair, myself, and groceries were already loaded; I was waiting for my driver to buy a paper from the news stand after taking the cart back) An older lady approached me and "scolded" me for sitting in a handicapped spot. I assured her that I was legally there I use a wheelchair and that if she would care to wait for my driver we'd show her the chair in the trunk. She informed me that those plaques are "for older people who put in their dues". OK? I guess she needs to inform the DMV they've been giving out plaques to us undeserving young people. I guess I can sort of see why she would think a young person should not be in a disabled space......but disability is a club anybody can join with no regard to age, gender, race, or financial position in life.

PS next time call the police......it is a ticket worthy offense after all.

[Cheshire]

hockeydahc, on Jul 19 2007, 12:01 PM, said:

that's why in another post when someone asked about personal ticket forms to place on the windshield of cars illegally parked, I thought of the sign I've seen somewhere on here instead of actual little notes that made more of a joke about it.

"If you can't grasp why disabled people need this space: WE SUGGEST: go and break your f***ing spine."

I thought those printed up would do just nicely. wait I may have a pic to attach

attachment

I want to know where to get that sign!

[edlee]

I've waited a few days to post a reply on this subject so as to have time to cool down a bit.

Although I haven't had the opportunity to engage someone who is blocking my ramp, I have spoken to several people who use these spaces legally.

I was curious to find out why they needed them, as they seemed quite capable of walking into the Gym/health center we were in front of.

One was actually apologetic about the situation, but the rest were a mixture of fear, anger, and righteus indignation.

Some seemed to think I was trying to take away their placards in some way, and they all acted as though I was contagious, wanting to get away as soon as they could.

I can hear them now, telling their family/friends about the angry cripple they ran into today.

It's unfortunate that when we try to claim what we feel we should rightly have, we are confronted by others with claims of their own.

Who is deserving? Who is MORE deserving? Who decides? Tough thing to decide, especially by those whose livelihood depends on getting the most votes.

I don't think we will ever have a solution that pleases everyone ( human nature being what it is),so I guess the real answer is to take it in stride. We are going to run into a percentage of people who are assh---s, regardless of their abilitiy to stand or walk.

As Aristotle once said ( or was it Plato???) S**T HAPPENS!!!!!
ed

[ParaforGod]

lune14, on Jul 18 2007, 01:09 PM, said:

Tim13, on Jul 17 2007, 07:41 PM, said:

Interesting, I've thought about using that little extra spot before but always chickened out.

I'm curious as to why you considered using that spot? You are talking about the space indicated as non-parking by the diagonal lines yes?

I was in a handi-cap van accessible parking space. It was the only handi-cap van accessible space available which happened to be on the very end of the roll or lane which happened to be in front of the store. The officer mentioned how Wal-Mart had used so much room for the blue lines. They were wide but the driver still parked right next to my van were I couldn't let my ramp down not even halfway. Which the blue lines she parked on where a no parking zone.

[ParaforGod]

Tim13, on Jul 18 2007, 05:47 PM, said:

lune14, on Jul 18 2007, 05:09 PM, said:

Tim13, on Jul 17 2007, 07:41 PM, said:

Interesting, I've thought about using that little extra spot before but always chickened out.

I'm curious as to why you considered using that spot? You are talking about the space indicated as non-parking by the diagonal lines yes?

I'm talking about the nice big spots on the end of some parking lots that are there solely to make the parking spaces angle correctly-not talking about the areas in between van accessable parking spaces.
Sometimes i get a little fed up with seeing every single H/C parking spot filled with cars that are not supposed to be there and that nice big spot on the end looks very tempting when the only other option is to either circle the lot waiting for somebody to move or take a chance on a regular spot and hope i don't get blocked in.

Back to the question about using a H/C placard to park illegally...i haven't checked the rules in Florida but another state I lived in allows a vehicle with a handicap placard to park pretty much anywhere it wants to as long as it isn't obstructing traffic or causing a safety hazard.

Want to add too that the kind of rotton attitude Paraforgod encountered pretty much mirrors every single experience I've had when confronting ABs who are illegally parked, people just don't understand or care that their minor convenience of parking a few feet closer to the door could be completely depriving someone else of their ability to get in and out of their vehicle.

Thanks Tim13 you described right where I was parked and right where she was parked.

[ParaforGod]

Thanks everyone and I know we have all had to deal with this. I just couldn't believe the police officer. Thanks Wheelibear 75 for the story. Sorry that happened to you.

[Tim13]

wheeliebear75, on Jul 20 2007, 03:54 AM, said:

Sorry to hear that happened PrayerForGod. Unfortunately no not everyone understands that the "hash marks" are not a space at all. I think a lot of ambulatories think that all a handicapped space is is just a closer one. On my DMV paperwork it specifically states what privileges you are entitled to; as well where you may not park (red zones, yellow zones, and "hash marks") I guess people should read the papers better.

Here's a copy of Florida's take on parking on striped areas (glad i never gave in to the temptation to use one)
2. Don't park in Access Aisle (Striped Area). Fine for parking in Access Aisle is $250.00 even with a permit.

I have a story that might make you laugh.
I was sitting in the car (my chair, myself, and groceries were already loaded; I was waiting for my driver to buy a paper from the news stand after taking the cart back) An older lady approached me and "scolded" me for sitting in a handicapped spot. I assured her that I was legally there I use a wheelchair and that if she would care to wait for my driver we'd show her the chair in the trunk. She informed me that those plaques are "for older people who put in their dues". OK? I guess she needs to inform the DMV they've been giving out plaques to us undeserving young people. I guess I can sort of see why she would think a young person should not be in a disabled space......but disability is a club anybody can join with no regard to age, gender, race, or financial position in life.

Good story, reminds me of the responses to a letter to the editor i wrote last year regarding handicap parking abuse. there were tons of letters from "fiesty grandmas" explaining how they had earned the right to park there and offering to kick my a**. Then there were the "hidden disabilities" whiners who could somehow manage to walk past the courtesy wheelchairs and all over the store (Florida law specifies the ability to walk unassisted for 200 feet) but had owies that entitled them to use H/C parking. Oddly none of the fatties i also mentioned were mad enough to write back.

Sadly, every ticket I've ever heard of being issued has been dismissed and since doctors seem to sign parking authorization forms as gifts to good patients and most stores really want the police in there hasseling paying customers for anything other than shoplifting i think getting any widespread enforcement for H/C parking areas is just doomed to failure.

This post has been edited by Tim13: 21 July 2007 - 12:00 AM

[margaret]

We had this same thing happen to us. We were at Costco and an old man parked right next to us on the diagonel lines. Costco has no intercom, so we waited 40 minutes for him to come out. During our wait, Coastco called the police and when the man came out, the police was waiting for him. He didn't apologize and couldn't understand why my husband was upset. He did get a ticket. In reference to another post how some people think because they are old, they deserve the spot more; we were at the Post Office (which only has two H/C spots), and as soon as we pulled in, (my husband drives from his wheelchair), an old man rushed to our van and knocked on the window. My husband put the window down and the old man said very sarcastically, "Do you see where you are parked?" My husband instantly saw red and said "Do you see what I am sitting in?" The man was embarressed and did apologize, but was very rude. Unfortunately, we see these types of occurances all too often.