Were we in the right?? Disabled Parking issues.?

Question

My husband and I were pulling into a small parking lot one evening when we were going to a new restuarant.

My spouse is disabled with MS and he was driving into the lot looking for a disabled spot.

There were these two ladies standing in the one and only parking space designated for handicapped. We have the indentifying placard on our car and as we pulle up I rolled down the window to ask the ladies to move. Just then one of them pulls a blue placcard out of her purse and said.. we are saving this spot for my husband.. he is due here any time and our son is in a wheel chair..

I was sooo baffled. I said to her.. so.. are you saving a parking space for someone who isn't driving? ( she was speechless ) I furthered it by saying.. My husband has Multiple Sclerosis.. who is more disabled your son or my husband... move or we will call the police..

She was not happy...

( the young man in a wheel chair was dropped off just outside the front door and also picked up there.. )

Answer 1

I consider that behavior to be rude and furthermore unnecessary.  I would be angry as you were.  They could easily just have pulled up i front and let the man out and done the same to pick him up.  Why they had to make a show like hat I don't know.  You know, some people will take all they can take whether they need it or deserve it or not.  Pitiful, isn't it?  I giess you just have to consider the source.

Answer 2

the polite thing to do would be to ask and forget it if they are rude...because they were obviously being rude by saving a parking space in the first place.   grin and bear it...god blesses the persecuted.

Answer 3

you were in the right. the son in the wheel chair could of been pushed into the resteraunt your  husband could not

Answer 4

Disabled parking is like disabled motel rooms, first come first serve.

The ADA Architectural guidelines outline a certain number of accessible parking spots based on the total number of parking places provided. As long as the public accommodation meets this, they have met their legal obligations.

Many disabilities are not visible, and conditions such as MS, Parkinson's, cardiovascular disease, or even CP or MD where the person is still walking (though not well) are eligible for "handicap" parking rights.

If you were there first, then the spot is yours. If the kid is in a wheelchair, then it is easier for someone to push him than for your husband to walk.

If anyone looks at you strangely, s***w 'em.

It is unfortunate that we live in a society where everything is not universally designed for everyone to use. In my mind, this sort of problem should not be an issue. These obstacles are man made, and not nature made. All man made design problems should be solved by better design of our society.

Answer 5

You were exactly right!

I can't believe those people. =(

Answer 6

to save a spot like that disabled or not is plain rude. unless you are waiting for someone to pull out and have your blinker on idicating you want the spot, it is rude. they had no right to stand there and wait for the rest of their party. i would have done the same thing you did!

Answer 7

I think you were.  You cannot 'reserve' seats in a public lot, even if it a handicapped spot.

Also, I don't think people count as vehicles-so her holding a placard doesn't 'save' the spot.

I don't think the comment about your husband being more disabled than her son was really called for-though I can understand why you said it.  The son doesn't really have anything to do with the woman's behavior, and it comes off as insulting him, not the woman.  

I actually think your story would be a great Miss Manners column.  That way, you can get a definitive answer-and more people can know about appropriate parking lot and handicapped space ettiquitte, which a lot of people take for granted

Answer 8

There are not enough handicapped spaces available and, sadly, some people abuse the privilege.

Some people don't understand that it may be harder for a person, who is walking or even looks well. They may need the handicapped space more than than someone in a scooter or a wheelchair.

I usually walk, but at times have a companion wheelchair and sometimes uses a scooter. In those cases, I don't need to be close the entrance unless it is hot.

It is too bad we all can't be a little kinder to each other.

Visit my Yahoo Group

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MSR...

I try not to let these things annoy me, most of the time. <G>

But it can be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

Answer 9

yeah, that's ridiculous that those  ladies were *standing* in the *parking* spot, and saving it.  I would have done the same as you and asked them to move.

By the way, how was my ? that you "answered" rambling? I think it's pretty easily understood.