I’m sorry, but you have NO idea what it is like to have an “invisible illness” like I have. I “look” normal, but I am fighting many health issues that prevent me from walking far without passing out. Just because someone doesn’t use a wheelchair doesn’t mean that they don’t need a spot as much as others.
Most people aren’t aware of some of the health issues that I and many other people are fighting. My response to you is just to make more people aware. It is very embarrassing for me to use the handicap placard and many people like me would rather not go out than have to use their placard, they are afraid (as I am) that people that aren’t aware will yell at them. We should not be forced to stay home because we can’t walk from a far spot in the parking lot to a store.
I, like you, look healthy. I'm a big strapping man, but I wore a Milwaukee Brace all the way through high school due to scoliosis. I'm 67 now and I've been in pain since I was eight years old.
I now have bone-on-bone contact between every vertebrae in my spine, yet I will not take any narcotics to alleviate the discomfort or the pain, nor for the phantom pains caused by the nerves being impinged on.
Now, add to that in the course of my life, I've been rear-ended TEN TIMES, every time while I was stuck in traffic, not moving, hit by idiots not paying attention to their driving—the last time just seven months ago!
Were my back straight the doctors tell me I'd be 6'4", but I start the day slightly under six feet tall and by the end at night, wind up at 5'9” because of the collapse of my spine. On a good day, I don't need the handicap space and will leave it open for someone worse off than me, but if the weather changes—I'm a great barometer—I need the closest parking I can find!