Handicapped sign

C

CarolfromTX

Senior Member
Location
Central Texas
We have recently renewed an acquaintance with a couple through playing bridge. We never much cared for this couple, but we have come to like them more now that we play bridge with them. And then this. Not a BIG deal, but a deal. We ran into the woman at the local sub shop, and were talking while she waited for her order. She sort of bragged on the fact that she parked in the handicapped spot, and was so glad she had applied for the handicapped permit. She and her husband had just completed a round of golf. So no, they are not actually handicapped physically. Ethically, another story. This bothers me. It's really just a peccadillo, right? A way for us old folks to get by. But still. It speaks to character. God only knows we're not perfect, and I'm never going to say anything to them or our bridge group, and perhaps I am making a mountain out of a molehill (one of my mother's favorite expressions!) but it still bothers me. But only just a bit. But enough that I'm not inviting them for dinner any time soon. My view is that, as much as I would like to park closer to the store, as long as I am able to walk, I should do it.

And then there's this: how does one get a handicapped sign? Can you just apply? Do you need a doctor's note? Prolly different in every state, I'm sure. OK, I get it. Are all my other friends perfect? No. But I can name at least two couples with whom I could leave $10,000 for 6 months and come back and find it all still there. Aside from my daughter. Is that sad, or is it actually a good thing? I am totally not sure.
 

I find your bridge playing woman disgusting. I would have definitely spoken up, but I'm not one to shy away from confrontation.

When I go to a store that has a parking lot, I routinely park in the spots that are the most distant, figuring the exercise is good for me.

Those able bodied people who get handicapped stickers when no handicap exists will, hopefully, meet up with Karma, one of these days!
 

Good for you to have such principles, if only more people )like your friends had the same)...

Here in the UK the misuse of Disabled stickers, is rife.. I think there's a big black market for them, because you need to really have a genuine disability to be able to apply... so goodness knows these fraudsters must be getting them from some dodgy source..
 
If anyone should be approved for a handicap sticker it should be me (back & mobility) & the wife (heart), but after the Dr wanted us to walk it seemed counter-productive. We park away from the store's door & walk, less dings. What I get a kick out of is the monstrous 4x4 (gun in rifle rack) taking up a space & the driver looks like he could take on a bag of grizzly bears for entertainment.
 
In Pennsylvania, the doctor must fill out the approved state form. I seldom check for placards, HC license plates or permits. I have other, more important things to tend to.

I applaud you for having enough scruples to want to be the better person. I have spoken with several mall and shopping center managers and their conversation usually includes what can be done about such situations. Unfortunately, not much. If the vehicle is not properly identified, they can call their local police and have the vehicle tagged. If the person appears able enough that they shouldn’t need a spot, then shame on them.

IMO, I believe that the doctors should be more responsible of whom they recommend for a HC sticker. I know doctors generally like to just fill out the form, instead of argue with their patients. One doctor told me that when he was asked by a patient to fill out the form, he told him, “Jim, I won’t do it because I want you walking as much as possible. It will help strengthen your back and ease your pain.” I had to shake his hand and thank him.
 
I can't imagine asking for a handicap sticker or license plate ... When I'm in the parking lot at a store, and my legs are bothering me, I find an empty shopping cart in the lot and push that into the store. Problem solved.
Walking more helps with pain.
 
It's pretty common to see someone who appears to have little or no disabilities using the handicapped parking. Maybe the day will come when they Really need such parking, but the spaces are all filled by others who are abusing the facility....poetic justice.
 
I'm now in a wheelchair. Yet, I refused to get one of those wheelchair guy placards., for the longest time. I just couldn't do it. It was giving up on being able to walk. Until, I couldn't walk from way out in the parking lot. It irks the hell out of me when very able people use those parking spots, so I can't'. What really gets me is when able bodied people use those electric supermarket carts, depriving me the use of them.
 
For your own safety don't take it upon yourself to confront someone that doesn't have either a placard or license plate parking in a handicap space.
 
Here, in CA, a doctor signs the form.
When my mom & dad had handicapped placards & stopped driving, I chauffeured them everywhere. I still didn't use the handicapped parking spaces. I dropped them off in front of the store, then parked in a regular spot, then picked them up when they were through with their errands. That left the handicapped space for someone who really needed it.
People who abuse handicapped spaces are simply selfish & inconsiderate - in ALL other areas, too. Years ago, I broke up with a (beautiful on the outside) woman who bragged that she parked in handicapped spaces because she wore expensive shoes & didn't want to walk far & wear them out. At first, I explained why that wasn't right. But when she got angry, I said, "You're the prettiest slob I've ever met." That did it.....
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I'm now in a wheelchair. Yet, I refused to get one of those wheelchair guy placards., for the longest time. I just couldn't do it. It was giving up on being able to walk. Until, I couldn't walk from way out in the parking lot. It irks the hell out of me when very able people use those parking spots, so I can't'. What really gets me is when able bodied people use those electric supermarket carts, depriving me the use of them.
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hollydolly said:
Good for you to have such principles, if only more people )like your friends had the same)...

Here in the UK the misuse of Disabled stickers, is rife.. I think there's a big black market for them, because you need to really have a genuine disability to be able to apply... so goodness knows these fraudsters must be getting them from some dodgy source..
Click to expand...
I had my "Blue Badge" stolen from my car in and Ikea Car Park,
you can't do anything to stop people who want to take it, the
security weren't interested, I did get a replacement and I paid
£30 admin fee to get a sticker for my winscreen, that is only
valid in my local council area, anywhere else and I have to use
the full one.

Mike.
 
Grrr
Went to Wal-mart's, handicapped spaces were full, circle, circle, returned home.
Don't know if those in handicapped slots were legitimate, do know if one is
not available I cannot get into store.
 
Knight said:
For your own safety don't take it upon yourself to confront someone that doesn't have either a placard or license plate parking in a handicap space.
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Good advice! I think the "confronters" aren't thinking about one thing: They're confronting someone who they already know is a jerk. So....how would they react when confronted?
 
The doctor has to sign a form in both Arizona and Florida.
The hazard of the placards that you hang from the mirror is that they can be forgotten resulting in a $250 ticket, excuses are not accepted in some towns.
I have the license plate bolted to the car. From my observation, only a very small number of users actually rely on wheel chairs. A lot have difficulty walking any distance.
 
A long time ago I had a friend that got a handicap permit. I don't know how or why she got one, she could walk faster than I could.
 
Don M. said:
That cartoon looks like our local Walmart. Invariably, those who cruise around on one of those electric carts are Grossly Overweight....I'm surprised the carts don't break down from carrying hundreds of pounds of blubber.
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I think those situations are not as simple as people just eating too much. It usually starts with other issues - physical illness, then resulting limited mobility options, then boredom, frustration, depression, then doing the only thing that gives them pleasure - snacking on fun foods.
I have a friend with Cerebral Palsy (birth defect). She's had several surgeries as a child - hip, shoulder, foot, etc. all due to walking abnormally (which is the only way she can walk). Now, at 61, she had a knee replacement 2 years ago & has been in a wheelchair 95% of the time. She has gained 80 lbs & she's only 5 ft. tall. It's too difficult to start walking again. She told me food is her only pleasure in life.
 
Don M. said:
That cartoon looks like our local Walmart. Invariably, those who cruise around on one of those electric carts are Grossly Overweight....I'm surprised the carts don't break down from carrying hundreds of pounds of blubber.
Click to expand...
I certainly hope you feel better about yourself now.
 
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