Something is fishy here....
I don’t understand the tendency of some people to write anonymous notes to strangers. How other people live their lives, as long as they are not committing crimes, is none of my business.
The woman had a handicapped placard, how can a third party judge if they are or are not handicapped?
“I’m not looking for an apology,” she said.
But if my Husband or Brother ever find you, they are going to make sure you are Disabled for LIFE!!!
If she didn’t use her handicap placard she probably deserved the nasty note she got.
I was talking with a lady with MS the other day. She has encountered the same issue. The way she explained it to me is that when she goes to the store, she usually can get into the store using her cane without much trouble. She says that the problem is getting back to the car after shopping where her legs have stiffened and she has great physical difficulty returning to the car if it is parked at a distance.
My mom had MS from her mid-40s. It did come and go. When it flared up, her mobility was severely curtailed. However, this story does not make sense. The writer of the note clearly saw the woman and her daughter. If she was in a “go to the gym” condition, why use the handicap parking. Just because you have a sticker, does not mean you have to use it.
I do accost people who look fit and mobile and park in handicap spaces. If someone responded that they had MS, I would point out that if they were in remission, they should be considerate of others who were less mobile. If they said they had a severe heart condition, I would simply apologize, wish them well and move on. I would not feel bad about raising the issue. Life is not perfect or fair. The author of the note could have said the same thing in a more conditional and less inflammatory way.
Nosy people crack me up.
I was sitting in my car at a Costco in Issaquah one day, in one of the handicapped spaces, and the other three were empty. I was backed in, waiting for my wife to drop off a roll of film. Our car had no front license plate. I had my windows rolled up and was listening to music. Because I’m sitting in the car, nobody would know from the front of my car if I was handicapped or if I had handicapped plates, and nothing was hanging from my mirror.
A family walks in front of the car towards the store and the dad stares at the front of the car, then leaves the family and walks around to the back and looks at the back. He then walks up to the driver’s side window and knocks on it. I roll it down. He asks if I have a handicapped sticker. I tell him I don’t. He then says I’m parked in a handicapped space and must move. I tell him, “I’m not parked. I’m stopped. And if these other three stalls fill up I’ll move.” He left in a huff.
I think liberals tend to be “letter of the law” types, and conservatives tend to be “spirit of the law” types.
I had a placard for a while before getting a joint replacement. I appreciated the reserved spot, but there are always ten times as many handicap spots as ever get used.
I’ve never seen them all filled with HC labeled vehicles. Now I just walk half a mile, like everybody else.
The placards are for those that have a temporary condition, not something that will get better with time.
If she really has/had MS the Doctor would have issued her a permanent permit that would give the license plate. I’d be willing to bet that she was driving her own car.
People with heart problems don’t LOOK handicapped, but they can’t walk very far.
Everyone has an invisible disability these days. I can't recall the last time I saw someone in a wheelchair using a handicapped spot. And I mean an actual wheelchair, not one of those motorized scooters for the morbidly obese.
I guess I can't blame them for staying home. All the handicapped spaces are taken and there's never anywhere for them to park.
Just browsing the comments here and agreeing with quite a few of them.... but then as we all know, there will be that inconsiderate bee otch whose actions make one suspicious of all people who park in HC spots.
I’m one of those that use a placard and do have open symptoms. But there are always going to be people that have an “opinion” that I am either cheating the system, stole the placard (which happens in western Washington often), or the illness I have doesn’t warrant the placard because I found a doctor to write it.
I stopped worrying about those people a long time ago. I don’t write the laws concerning this, but I am happy that those that need can get the help that have earned it.
I’m reminded of the people that walk into a public restroom with no one in it, and head immediately to the handicapped stall, in some cases stepping right in front of the person who needs it for the rails or the extra size for a chair or cane/walking device.
Or maybe there is a reason why the fine is so big for illegally parking in that set aside space that is limited by number and in some cases set up a long way from the entrance due to the location of the ramp.
In looking at the situation with the letter displayed, I have nothing to prove to the people that seem to take offence for disagreeing with the determination of my situation. They don’t support me, feed me, house me, or suffer the pain I have everyday as my illness follows its road to finally take me. I’ve got a lot more things in the bucket list than their limited life seems to hold if this is how they think and seem a need to react. I can’t help them. No one can.
rwood
Well, there is-and should be- anger at people using handicapped spots when they’re not entitled. Happens a lot. What concerns me most is the fact that the daughter was conceived AFTER the woman was diagnosed with MS. I’m sorry, that’s not only selfish- it’s insane. Not only will your child have a handicapped mother, she will have to worry that she inherited the disease. I just don’t understand people who choose to do this to their children. Before a diagnosis is one thing-intentional reproduction afterward is- IMO-the height of arrogant selfishness.
Handicapped? You mean “challenged”, right? /s
I hate the idea of handicapped parking spaces, period. It’s just another way to segregate society. “I’m special, I’ve got a handicapped permit, you don’t.”
“If you build it, they/he will come. Like FREE cheese. I’m not hungry, I’m not poor, but heh, it’s FREE.
Just like every other “perk/privilege” people take advantage at the expense of others.
First of all, there are WAY too many H/C parking spots. They are mostly empty.
Here is my solution. For every H/C spot have a NON H/C spot right next to it. Spread them out more. Let the rest of us (most of us) have a shot at the best parking spots too.
I remember before H/C parking spots, there were dead disabled people littering the parking lots. You had to swerve around them. Sometimes they were still alive shouting “ I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” /s (I know this shouldn’t NEED a sarc tag, but you ALWAYS need the sarc tag!)
Most of these people don’t work. Retired, disabled, lazy. They go to the stores during the day, when parking lots, and the stores are mostly empty.
If you are so impaired that you can’t walk an extra 20 feet, maybe you are too impaired to DRIVE?
I do make exceptions for veterans and anyone in a wheelchair. That’s what ADA was all about in the first place.
the person spewing hate in the note likely did more harm to themselves then to the woman or daughter.
To write or speak such anger filled words releases chemicals that cause harm to the body systems. The person reading should not take it personally or should quickly forgive so their own body doesn’t start releasing harmful chemicals.
“”It almost gets to the point where I’m afraid to use it,” she said, “just because I’m not in a walker or I’m not using a cane ..”
Your conscience is speaking truth to you. On days that you don’t need a wheelchair or cane, park in a regular spot, just like the rest of us athletes. /s On the days that you do, feel free to use the H/C spot.
BTW, on days you need a wheelchair or cane, are you fully capable of safely operating a motor vehicle?
To all you self righteous every one’s a fake people: I will think of you all every time I use my parking permit. And may you enjoy your body while it still can get you around without people making judgements about you. And may your body deteriorate very quickly so you can enjoy my quality of life. Best regards.
Mrs. JimRed has an arthritic knee and back plus vision problems, and has the handicap parking tag. When I drive her somewhere I drop her off at the shortest walking distance to the entrance and park wherever or take a handicap spot. A few times when I’ve had to return to the car without her to retrieve something I’ve gotten the “what’s HE doing in that space” look from some individuals. Never an actual challenge though. Guess I look too formidable! < /sarc >
My knees are shot....I use the carts when i go to Wal-mart and such. I’m sure some people look and think the same of me. Things aren’t always what they seem.