My right foot is a size and a half smaller than my left and the theory is that I had a mild case of polio when I was about two as well. . . That threw off my back development. The time frame is right and I had a long term fever at that age the doctor attributed to a "milk allergy". They started adding a ¾" lift in my right shoe when I was about 10, because they decided my right leg was shorter than my left. . . but the problem was actually in my back. Not once from age eight to 14 did any doctor look at my back. By the time someone finally did, the double curvature was too set in to do much about except to arrest it going any farther with the Milwaukee Brace, a cage of leather and aluminum extending from my hips to chin—a medieval torture rack— which had to wear twenty-three hours a day.
I resisted getting that placard as long as I could. . .
I can understand what you went through, I’ve seen a very similar situation all my life. If you do now have a handicapped sticker, good for you, and you should have the option to use it if you wish. Same as any person who is truly handicapped. If you choose the option of walking a little instead, good for you. But if you need it, that option should be available as well and some bozo who doesn’t care should be getting a ticket.
As some have already mentioned a lot of people in this country are making use of handicapped stickers/license plates who are quite capable of walking. Many I see in grocery stores riding around in electric carts would benefit greatly from the bit of exercise they would get walking too.
As with any other program intended to assist people who need it, unfortunately this one is being abused, same as food stamps and welfare.
I tried to get my uncle to get a handicapped sticker for 20 years. He refused. I tried telling him 99% of the time it wouldn’t be needed, he could park wherever he wanted to and walk, but when I had to half carry him in the store that damn sticker would really be handy to have...he refused. and you have no idea how much it pisses him off to see people park in handicapped spaces without a sticker...
My father was the opposite. He had a handicapped sticker, he had a stroke and was completely capable of walking in the woods to hunt but threw screaming fits when I refused to park in a handicapped spot so he wouldn’t have to walk 50 feet further. I’m serious too, I parked 2 spaces from the handicapped spot one day and he started screaming at me for not using his handicapped sticker. Less than 50 feet...his problem was not a handicap, he was just plain lazy. And I enjoyed every second of refusing to park in the handicapped spots...I’d just tell him you can walk. Somebody else is looking for that spot who can’t.