handicapped parking spot

[buglebe]

My daughter saw a fight in the Walmart parking lot yesterday. verbal not physical. This young couple drove up and parked in a handicapped spot and hopped out of the car. It was one of those long spots that have the large area beside them for getting a wheelchair out and they say van parking. My daughter's friend said to my daughter, they look pretty healthy for handicapped. The couple heard them and turned around and said something smart and it turned into a shouting match. Then this very elderly woman came up and said she didn't take the spot because she was leaving it for someone hurting more than herself that day though she also had a handicapped tag. The man said they parked there because his wife had foot surgery just a few days before. The woman had on the sandal that has the strap between the big toe and the next toe with no visible incision or bandage. After the young couple went on into the store, their was a clerk from the store outside and she said to my daughter's friend, "Are you the one who started the fight?" and my daughter's friend said yes and the clerk said I saw all of it and would have liked to have commented but couldn't because I work here.
Darn it. I never get to see anything good like that!
Do you ever take a handicapped spot if you are not handicapped?

[freeby4me]

No I NEVER EVER would. I am though careful about saying something because as I read on Dear Abby one day, this woman had some kind of medical condition that she couldnt be outside in the cold for very long at all so she actually had a handicap sticker-tag for that reason but she would only use it on the coldest of days because people would be mean and nasty to her about it.

Point being, you might not always be able to see someone's handicap.

[loveswolfs]

Nope the only time i us it is when i have my mom with me, and if she is not getting out of my car & its just me running in i still wont park in that spot. But im sure i get looks when i do park in one, some times i will drop my mom off at the store door & then go park, but when we come out she will walk to the car.

[earnhardt1]

i have a handicap window tag in my car and being young we haev had many problems with ppl who ASSUME becasue you are young that you arent needing it... i had one guy follow me through giant eagle once screaming at me he was verbaly arguing with me so bad that there was a construction guy who jumped off his ladder to tell the guy leave me and my young son alone.. needless to say teh guy called the police on me and when i got home there was a message for me to call teh police station to show them my proof

[ladybugva]

DH fusses all the time about people at work parking in handicapped spots and walking in w/o any obvious ailments and sometimes in high heals. drives him nuts b/c so many of them look like they are just abusing a privalige or using some ones else tag that is assigned to he car Esp. if there is a non handicapped spot just as close.

[belcherpi]

I never take the handicapped parking spots. One evening my DH and I went out to eat and as we were waiting on our food we were looking out the restaurant window. We noticed a van driving around the parking lot several times and then park in a regular parking spot. This elderly man in a wheelchair attempted to get out. He had the hardest time ever trying to get the wheelchair out of the van in the regular spot. As we were eating we noticed a couple getting in a vehicle parked in a handicapped spot. They were getting around better than I was that day. I know you can't "see" some peoples handicaps but these people seemed to be getting around fine and here's this man in a wheelchair struggling to get his wheelchair out of his vehicle after having to park in a regular spot. :getyou

[earnhardt1]

mine is for my breathing problems but usually only use it in extreme cold or extreme hot.... other than that i park in normal spots

[BeanieLuvR]

No way!! To do that is so not right. In fact all last week I drove my aunt to the hospital everyday and wouldn't let her use hers. I told her I will drop you off at the door and pick you up at the door then I will park and walk back. I told her there might be a person who needs that space worse than you do. She of course was fine with it because me dropping her off and picking her up at the door was closer than her walking from the handicap parking. Mind you my aunt does actually have a medical problem that lets her have the parking thing.

[BigLyd1]

I was issued one of those placards earlier this year when I broke my ankle and had ankle surgery. As I got better and more mobile, I did worry about the looks sometimes. It was still hard for me to walk any distance for a while, and if I sit for too long I still limp a little.

I do admit that it's tempting to get spoiled by having those, especially with a brand new car this year. My placard is up in less than 10 days and I have told myself to get used to parking in a regular spot.

[BrunetteDi]

I am an asthmatic and I cannot breathe when it gets too hot,plus I have bad knees that hurt if I have to walk a long distance.I had knee surgery already on my right knee.But...no I would not ever park in a handicap spot because in Florida it is a $250 fine,and there are people who really need it.Yes there are some folks who may not look disabled on the outside,but there are some folks who have some form of disability thats not visible to the naked eye.

[Army-Mom]

I have a handicap tag but I need it..

[nanajoanie]

I have a handicap tag because of my osteoporosis getting so bad. I am so bent over and wear a back brace. I only shop at places that have electric carts in them.

Years ago I toted my SIL around shopping and she was paralyzed from the waist down. She had a handicap tag but since I drove I'd drop her off at the store door and park in a regular place and walk to the storefront. I did the same thing with my Mom.

I have never parked in a handicap spot anywhere until I had my own tag. I have reported a few including license plate number to the stores when they park in a handicap spot and then "RUN" into the store.

[katzenberg]

my mom has one because she has sever breathing problrems and when my dad was alive a lady starting screaming at him about him using hanicapped sticker parking placewhat she didnt know my dad had a sever lung and hart problems some peoples problems are not visiblelike some in a chare or using cruches so people should think be fore saying something to some one because you just dont know want wrong with them.

[earnhardt1]

my mom has one because she has sever breathing problrems and when my dad was alive a lady starting screaming at him about him using hanicapped sticker parking placewhat she didnt know my dad had a sever lung and hart problems some peoples problems are not visiblelike some in a chare or using cruches so people should think be fore saying something to some one because you just dont know want wrong with them.

well said..... you cant imagine what hassle i have been through ,being i got my place card when i was 21 and now i am 29 and it has been hell but i wont let ignorant ppl bother me anymore...

[buglebe]

I have one too because I have osteoporosis and have broken 5 bones in the past 3 yrs. I broke both bones in my lower leg, they came out of the skin and almost cut my foot off. The dr told me he would fix it so I could walk again and he did. Broken bones healed become arthritic. I also have fibromyalgia. I have had a heart attack also. But I don't always use the parking spot. It is very strange how I can feel pretty good some days and so rotten others. I use the cart sometimes to ride in too. I am very fat and I'm sure many think I need it for my size. I try to walk when I can because it is good for me. My son aggravates me sometimes though because he says let someone with a wheelchair have that space. I feel sometimes that someone with a wheelchair has it better than me because they do ride especially when someone else is pushing. But I am trying to walk. The person who commented who lives in Florida knows that it is much much harder to get a card in Florida because of so many retirees down there and I think they are stricter about giving tickets. Nanajoanie I don't think reporting people to someone like Walmart is going to help because they don't want to lose business. I think you would have to call the police directly yourself. Yes it does infuriate me on a day when I feel very bad to see someone hop out. And for some young people you can tell by how they walk that they don't feel like crap like I do. There's no way to have a spitting contest to see who feels the worse and like people who complain about people not washing their hands and would speak or someone saying something to someone for parking in a wrong spot I wouldn't do that. But sometimes I wish I could. Loud and clear!

[hotwheelstx]

I have the blue tag and license plates. I carry my blue tag in my purse in case I'm with a friend. Aggie will not take advantage of my plates when he uses my car.....AT ALL.

This is funny now...but wasn't when I was younger....when I was walking with a walker/braces and mom and I would go somewhere if all the handicapped spots were taken she and I would stand outside the persons car until they came out of the store. This was back in the 70's when they first came out and everyone and their brother took advantage of them. Needless to say mom's tactics worked for the most part...she'd make you feel about 2 inches tall after she was finished with you.

This is really a BIG PET PEEVE OF MINE. Along w/the restrooms. There's not many if only one large stall in the restroom. Some woman able bodied is usually in there talking on the phone, dressing....all to be told to me "it's bigger".....duh!!!! If people were fined for parking in handicapped parking spaces I think the same should apply to restrooms.

[buglebe]

hotwheelstix. Now about the bathroom stalls, I go into the large one because it is bigger. I'm not happy about it but I weigh 300 lbs and instead of being embarrassed by going into a stall where I can't get myself in and get the door closed I do go to the bigger stalls. I consider being my size being a handicap in itself. I used the think they were just making the stalls smaller. Oops!!

[Army-Mom]

My husband wont use my blue tag either...I have had a man come up to us and hollow you cant park there with out a handicap sticker and I just pull it out and put it up..he just turned around and walked the other way..I dont drive anymore , but if I am not going in he wont park in handicap parking.. I still have my license so maybe one day..

[hotwheelstx]

hotwheelstix. Now about the bathroom stalls, I go into the large one because it is bigger. I'm not happy about it but I weigh 300 lbs and instead of being embarrassed by going into a stall where I can't get myself in and get the door closed I do go to the bigger stalls. I consider being my size being a handicap in itself. I used the think they were just making the stalls smaller. Oops!!

I'm sorry I don't agree with you. I understand being larger. However, I don't understand people in that situation who see someone like me in a chair and go right on in there like they don't see a wheelchair. It makes no sense whatsoever. the larger stalls are there for a specific reason......

[mirage7000]

Nope don't use handicap parking or even the bathroom facilities. Went yesterday to a casino and this elderly couple had valet parking. What pulls up is this very sporty Mustang covertible. Talked to the attendant to find out they had won it there a few months ago. Just gave me a chuckle to see them driving off in it. Cute!

[annie169]

I will say that I do use the handicap bathroom stalls because the toilets are up higher than the regular stalls. I look fine but 9 years ago, I broke my pelvis in 4 places from a triple rollover car accident and also messed up my left knee. I have higher toilets in my house too just because its easier for me to get up and down off the seat. Not all handicaps are visible.

[Quaker_Parrots]

I am not sure about where you live, but alot of stores here started putting the baby changing table in the larger stall, so i guess it is intended to be multi-purpose. Also, you never see any of the larger stalls with the handicap sticker on the door of the stall anymore like you did in the past.


I'm sorry I don't agree with you. I understand being larger. However, I don't understand people in that situation who see someone like me in a chair and go right on in there like they don't see a wheelchair. It makes no sense whatsoever. the larger stalls are there for a specific reason......

[Anthill]

Well I look it at it this way if they have the placard, or the licence plate handicapped there is nothing that can be done. They have it and can park in the handicapped spot whenever they want. The problem that I have is when I see cars that have none, and they park in the spot. That gets me mad, and they never get ticketed, whenever I see a car that is parked Illegally in the spot I go to the Customer service of the store and tell them that they have a customer that is parked in the handicapped spot and they do not have authorization to park there, sometimesthey do something about but 9 times out 0f 10 they don't. Now my Mom does have the placard for herself plus my Grandmother who is 95 yrs old and the only time my Mom will not use a handicap spot is if I amrunning into a store and she is waiting in the car she will park whereever, but if she is going in she will park in the handicap spot.
As for the bathrooms if I have my kids w/ me I will use the handicapp bathroom becuase A. they usually have the changing table in there or B. it is bigger and I can keep both kids in there and not worry about them trying to leave while I am going. But if I see someone who is elderly or handicapp then of course I am not goingto use it I will wait until they are done.

[BeanieLuvR]

I am not sure about where you live, but alot of stores here started putting the baby changing table in the larger stall, so i guess it is intended to be multi-purpose. Also, you never see any of the larger stalls with the handicap sticker on the door of the stall anymore like you did in the past.

I have noticed that around here too. I think it is nice because it gives the mother some privacy.

[nightrider127]

I don't think they were ever really meant for just handicapped people. There is laws on the books that say you have to make accomodations for people with handicaps. I think the wheel chair on the door was just to let people know that the stall was accessible to people with handicaps. Around here, those larger stalls have had changing tables in them for years.

Now I wont use a handicapped parking space unless I have hubby with me. The placard is for him since he has a very bad set of feet. But if I go into a bathroom and the larger stall is the only one open and no one is in the bathroom who would need it, I will go in there. I am not going to mess my clothes up for the simple reason that someone MAY come in there who needs that bigger stall.

Edited to add that a lot of bathrooms are small and only have two stalls in them. I really don't think people with no handicap is going to limit themselves to jsut one stall.

[tngirl]

I am not sure about where you live, but alot of stores here started putting the baby changing table in the larger stall, so i guess it is intended to be multi-purpose. Also, you never see any of the larger stalls with the handicap sticker on the door of the stall anymore like you did in the past.

The larger stalls are so they are handicap accessible. I'm sorry, I am using the big stall if it is available. Let me see, those stalls were made larger and put within the same amount of space so something had to give, so they made the regular stalls more narrow. Then to top it off, they put most of the doors where they open in and leave no room at all.

Oh, and since the baby changing stations are in the big stalls...does that mean only handicapped mothers or handicap babies are allowed? If I were to go into a bathroom and there was someone in a wheelchair or otherwise handicapped, I would let them go before me because I am not a rude person. But a person in a wheelchair can wait as well as anyone else to use the toilet, if they can't then they shouldn't be out in public anyway.

[ahippiechic]

I won't use a handicapped parking space. Those are HANDICAPPED ONLY. I will use the larger stall in the bathroom tho if i have my child with me. Those aren't handicapped only, just HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE.

[tngirl]

Oh, just wanted to add, no, I never park in handicap parking. I get so peeved sometimes because of the number of spots that are alloted to handicap though. I mean really, how many handicap people do you see at one time when you go in a store? The only time they are ever full are around the holidays.

[sunniekiss]

But a person in a wheelchair can wait as well as anyone else to use the toilet, if they can't then they shouldn't be out in public anyway.

Ummm EXCUSE ME!!??!! Because I have a handicap & yes there are times when I can NOT wait to use the rest room I should NOT leave the house???? I usually do not get into these types of threads BUT man oh man...lady walk one day, no make that just one hour in my shoes & you will change your entire prespective on this.

[MistyWolf]

No, I never take handicap spots .. they aren't for me and that would be very rude of me to use the spot.

I saw a fight at the bar Saturday night .. lol. It was verbal but could have quickly turned into physical if the fighters weren't held back .. lol.

[MistyWolf]

I won't use a handicapped parking space. Those are HANDICAPPED ONLY. I will use the larger stall in the bathroom tho if i have my child with me. Those aren't handicapped only, just HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE.

Exactly! .. I'd rather have my kids in the big stall with me than standing outside either getting into trouble or getting snatched!

I use the big stall at work all the time. I pull down the changing table and use it to set my apron on it so it won't fall into the toilet.

[Urban Cowgirl]

I would never park in a handicap space. It drives me nuts, at my dd's headstart one of the fathers always parks in the handicap spots and he does not have the place card or plates for it. Just plain lazy, I'd like to break his freaking legs!

I will use a handicap restroom now that my belly is so big, IF my dd is with me. Between my big ole pregnant belly and 4yo with me there just isn't enough room in the regular stall. however by myself the regular stall is fine.

[tngirl]

Ummm EXCUSE ME!!??!! Because I have a handicap & yes there are times when I can NOT wait to use the rest room I should NOT leave the house???? I usually do not get into these types of threads BUT man oh man...lady walk one day, no make that just one hour in my shoes & you will change your entire prespective on this.

Well, I have a bladder problem and pee myself when I cough or sneeze if I don't get to the bathroom immediately. Does that make me handicapped and have special rights to a toilet? Nope, when I am having my problems I wear "protection" to protect against those accidents. You don't have to "lady" me, I have been around enough disabled people to understand the concept. When my mom was ill and we took her out to Walmart or Kroger she always wore a diaper in case she couldn't make it in time.

Oh, and didn't I mention that if a handicapped person was waiting that I would let them go first? Hmmm, try to be nice and you get called rude anyways. So maybe next time I will just keep my place in line and let them wait a bit longer because if you are an example thoughtfulness doesn't mean much to you anyways.

[PJDancer]

I would never, but besides all of that it's also illegal without a tag/pass and you can get a ticket with a pretty hefty fine (even in private parking lots at shopping centers).

[PJDancer]

No I NEVER EVER would. I am though careful about saying something because as I read on Dear Abby one day, this woman had some kind of medical condition that she couldnt be outside in the cold for very long at all so she actually had a handicap sticker-tag for that reason but she would only use it on the coldest of days because people would be mean and nasty to her about it.

Point being, you might not always be able to see someone's handicap.

I agree so much with this. I had a friend who died of a disease and during the last stages he was granted a handicap pass for his car. You would never know by looking at him, so it is unwise (and NOBODY's business anyway) to judge by outward appearances.

[PJDancer]

Also with regards to handicap bathroom stalls...there should be no issue with using it if someone is not waiting. It's not like you are going to be in there for hours (we hope!). Obviously if someone is handicapped and/or with a wheelchair or a walker or crutches, etc, you let them go ahead, but otherwise, it's silly to avoid it if there is nobody waiting for it.

[PJDancer]

Ummm EXCUSE ME!!??!! Because I have a handicap & yes there are times when I can NOT wait to use the rest room I should NOT leave the house???? I usually do not get into these types of threads BUT man oh man...lady walk one day, no make that just one hour in my shoes & you will change your entire prespective on this.

I actually agree that someone with a handicap can wait just like everyone else-- UNLESS there is a long line where they would be waiting longer than everyone else for the handicap ACCESSIBLE (not handicap ONLY) stall. Why is your need to pee any more important than mine? Now, like I said, if there is this huge long line, totally different, but there are 2 stalls or very few people waiting, then waiting in line like everyone else seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Now you have times when you cannot WAIT to use the bathroom is an entirely different issue--everyone has times when they really need to go to the bathroom...that has absolutely nothing to do with this thread. Now if your issue is that you have some sort of bladder or intestine disorder, then there is medication and products on the market for that, and I'm sure if you asked people in line nicely if you could go ahead of them because you REALLY have to go, they would be happy to oblige. But again, that has nothing to do with the discussion of this thread.

[PJDancer]

Well, I have a bladder problem and pee myself when I cough or sneeze if I don't get to the bathroom immediately. Does that make me handicapped and have special rights to a toilet? Nope, when I am having my problems I wear "protection" to protect against those accidents. You don't have to "lady" me, I have been around enough disabled people to understand the concept. When my mom was ill and we took her out to Walmart or Kroger she always wore a diaper in case she couldn't make it in time.

Oh, and didn't I mention that if a handicapped person was waiting that I would let them go first? Hmmm, try to be nice and you get called rude anyways. So maybe next time I will just keep my place in line and let them wait a bit longer because if you are an example thoughtfulness doesn't mean much to you anyways.

ITA

[lucimPI]

Never park in a handicapped spot. I just thank God that I am able to walk to the store. I don't care if I have to park at the end of the lot. I know people abuse the spots and that is so wrong. I have to admit that I am a bit perturbed about the "Pregnant mom" spots. I see young gals park in them all the time and IF and I say IF they are pregnant, they sure are not showing and maybe the walk would do them good. I just think the pregnant mom spots could be used for more handicapped parking. I also agree, don't judge someone NOT to be handicapped just because you can't see a wheelchair or a crutch. Most people that use the spots certainly have problems. Also, did you ever notice that a young or middle aged person park in a handicapped spot and then take the tag and put it up and then hop out of the car and bop into the store?? Now that makes me wonder...

[suprtruckr]

I also agree, don't judge someone NOT to be handicapped just because you can't see a wheelchair or a crutch.
i get the looks even with a chair, they point and say look at that lazy fat ass
Also, did you ever notice that a young or middle aged person park in a handicapped spot and then take the tag and put it up and then hop out of the car and bop into the store?? Now that makes me wonder...

well it does say NOT to drive with it hanging from the mirror :rolling
i do that but i don't hop and bop i limp and sag to the back of the vehicle to unload my chair

[PrincessArky]

nope I wouldnt ever........yrs ago my dad blocked someone in at walmart for illegally using the spot and called the cops. My dad was disabled.........because he got hurt in World War II

[Urban Cowgirl]

nope I wouldnt ever........yrs ago my dad blocked someone in at walmart for illegally using the spot and called the cops. My dad was disabled.........because he got hurt in World War II

LOL Good for your Dad! I hope the jerks got a fine!!!

[Urban Cowgirl]

Never park in a handicapped spot. I just thank God that I am able to walk to the store. I don't care if I have to park at the end of the lot. I know people abuse the spots and that is so wrong. I have to admit that I am a bit perturbed about the "Pregnant mom" spots. I see young gals park in them all the time and IF and I say IF they are pregnant, they sure are not showing and maybe the walk would do them good. I just think the pregnant mom spots could be used for more handicapped parking. I also agree, don't judge someone NOT to be handicapped just because you can't see a wheelchair or a crutch. Most people that use the spots certainly have problems. Also, did you ever notice that a young or middle aged person park in a handicapped spot and then take the tag and put it up and then hop out of the car and bop into the store?? Now that makes me wonder...

I sort of see your point on the expectant Moms parking. I never used them early in my pregnacy. However now that I am 3 rd trimester some days I am truly grateful for them. The baby is compressing a nerve in my left hip and the doctor is very worried about her killing the nerve. I have to be careful how much I am on my feet, so on bad days I use those spots. My DH has tried to get me to use the wheelchairs in stores if we are gonna be a while, but I have been nervous about the reaction I will get because I am not handicap, just suffering. However if that nerve dies, I will have big issues. When I lived in TX some of "those" parking spots actually said 3rd trimester parking. What I really love is to see a man by himself park there!!! LOL

[Anthill]

Well when I was pregnant w/ the twins I could barely walk and I had to go out we were decorating the nursery and it was our first and I was excited and wanted to be a part of it. So I was grateful for the pregnant mom spots since I didn't have a handicap so I couldn't use those spots. But you could definitly tell I was pregnant LOL


Never park in a handicapped spot. I just thank God that I am able to walk to the store. I don't care if I have to park at the end of the lot. I know people abuse the spots and that is so wrong. I have to admit that I am a bit perturbed about the "Pregnant mom" spots. I see young gals park in them all the time and IF and I say IF they are pregnant, they sure are not showing and maybe the walk would do them good. I just think the pregnant mom spots could be used for more handicapped parking. I also agree, don't judge someone NOT to be handicapped just because you can't see a wheelchair or a crutch. Most people that use the spots certainly have problems. Also, did you ever notice that a young or middle aged person park in a handicapped spot and then take the tag and put it up and then hop out of the car and bop into the store?? Now that makes me wonder...

[PrincessArky]

LOL Good for your Dad! I hope the jerks got a fine!!!

oh the guy did :)

[tough guy]

Nope the only time i us it is when i have my mom with me, and if she is not getting out of my car & its just me running in i still wont park in that spot. But im sure i get looks when i do park in one, some times i will drop my mom off at the store door & then go park, but when we come out she will walk to the car.




Me too..