Now Rabrrrr Has Me Stirred Up

[ProfessorGAC]

In the shopping cart rant, i mentioned this, but now i'm really riled, because this just happened at Target last Sunday.

Guy gets out of a car. His elderly mom is in there. HE parked the car in a handicapped spot, pulled out the little mirror hanger card, and then walked into the store. His mom never got out!

He used a handicapped spot during the crowded Christmas season and there was NOTHING wrong with him!

Now, many of you know i have MS. I find it difficult to walk hundred feet most days. Some days, it's all i can do to walk 10 steps. But, even though i completely qualify, in every state in the union, for a handicapped status and can get one of those little hanger thingies, i don't and won't! I'm always worried that i'll come back out of the store and see a wheelchair van looking for a spot. I figure that while it hurts like hell, i can make it! So, i'll park where everyone else does and just grit my teeth and bear it.

Like i said in the other thread: I don't care if you had knee surgery last week! If you are healthy enough to drive to the mall, you're healthy enough to walk the extra 100 feet.

People who use handicapped spaces when they don't need them should be beaten, tossed around the cage by a gorilla, and then burned at the stake.

Thank you for your time! Whew! I feel better now.
The Professor

[terrya]

1. That's disgusting.

When that kind of shit happens, I think back to that "Seinfeld" episode where George parks his car in the handicapped space...and a mob of people trash his car.

It's indefensible. People who do that are pigs.

I understand your rant, Prof and agree with you 100%

And I'm sorry you have to put up with that shit.

[WoodrowFan]

2. but they're providing JOBS

for the guys who issue tickets!! do you not like creating jobs?? :eyes:




seriously, I agree 100%, more than %100.00 if that were possible. One story though, my Mom has a handicapped sticker. One time taking her to dinner she wanted to walk into the restaurant so we parked in a handicapped spot and walked in. When we left after dinner she wanted me to pick her up at the door. So here I am, reasonably healthy 40-something walking to the car in a handicapped spot, alone. Boy, did I get some dirty looks. Now I ALWAYS drop her off at the door, then park in a regular spot....

[ProfessorGAC]

5. OK, No Flogging For You

Similar story for you. Our friend's sister has MS. She's about 45 or so (just a pinch younger than me) and she's had MS she her mid-20's.

She sometimes needs a wheelchair, sometimes a walker. Most times though, she just uses leg braces.

She's an attractive woman and about 10 years ago (so she's mid-30's), she parks her car in a handicapped spot. She gets out and walks from the car and gets the evil eye from several people walking near by. Cute, perky blond getting out of her T-top Camero parked in a handicapped spot. SHE felt so guilty, that she stopped, bent down, pulled up each pant leg and adjusted her braces. She didn't need to adjust them! She just felt the need to show people why she was entitled to that spot. SHE NEEDED AND WAS ALLOWED TO USE THAT SPOT, SHE WALKS WITH LEG BRACES, AND SHE FELT GUILTY ABOUT IT!

How people can be so selfish as to think it's ok when they don't need that spot escapes my comprehension.
The Professor

[billyskank]

41. It's like this, Prof

Some people, like your friend's sister, have a conscience. The others work for the American Enterprise Institute.

[Debbi801]

3. That is horrible...

People like that irritate me to no end. A couple of years ago, I broke my ankle and heel bones pretty badly. I was given a temporary handicap tag to use while it was healing. Very rarely did I use it. And never if I was driving with someone else who could drop me off at the door and go park else where.

There are not enough handicapped parking spaces to go around in a lot of the malls, grocery stores, etc. where I live. I am regulary seeing people driving in circles waiting for one to open up. I think it is contemptable for someone to use one when they don't need to.

That being said, my kool aid drinking boss does it regularly--his wife is handicapped and so both cars have handicap tags. Even when he is out without her, he parks in one. Grrrrr.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. I Say We Flog Him

Stupid, stupid, stupid people. Selfishness to the nth power.
The Professor

[Kindigger]

6. I hate it

I use my tag, and park in one. I may be fine going in, but will more than likely be in severe pain when I come back out.

I hate getting the evil eye on my way in, and feeling the need to limp for show.

Fockers :grr:

[ProfessorGAC]

7. I Can Empathize

The Professor

[Left Is Write]

8. People need to remember that not all handicaps are visible.

I'm sorry you get the evil eye for your legitimate use of the handicapped space!

[gollygee]

9. People without handicaps should not use handicap spaces

But I don't think you should feel bad using them. And I also don't agree that if someone is healthy enough to drive, they're healthy enough to walk into the store, as there are people who can drive who are still unable to walk into a store.

Those who qualify and have difficulty getting into the store should be able to use the spots.

I don't even usually park very close to the store - I always feel badly when I see an older person having to park far away from the store. I can use the exercise anyway, so I don't mind walking a ways.

[Inland]

10. Don't know why you didn't file a complaint with police

while I don't mind handicapped spaces, I suspect that there are twice as many as really needed because healthy people use them.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. That Doesn't Do Any Good

I did that once. Cops told me there wasn't much they could do. I asked them why there was a fine for using one if they couldn't enforce the law. He told me he didn't know.

So much for that.
The Professor

[Inland]

19. That's crap.

I would call your local prosecutor AND I would tell whoever the parking lot belonged to so they could chime in.

Better yet: I would call whoever hands out the handicap stickers and tell them it is being abused. Tie the guy up in the bureaucracy for a few days.

If there is some legitimate reason why you couldn't swear out a complaint, I would call my legislator and get him to amend the statute to allow it.

[ProfessorGAC]

37. What's Crap?

That the cop told me that, and i'm making that up? Or that the cop told me that in the first place?

BTW: I complained when the cop was IN THAT PARKING LOT! I flagged him down. They didn't even have to go anywhere to enforce. They were already there.

Apparently, these things routinely get tossed out of court and it isn't worth the cops' time.
The Professor

[Liberaltarian]

11. how do you know he doesn't have some type of heart condition?

"handicapped" doesn't mean "wheelchair bound".

and even if it did, look at your own situation- you admit that every step is a painful one, so who has a harder time getting from the parking lot to the store- you, or someone in an electric wheelchair?

I have a spinal condition as well- AS, and for me every step is painful as well- I have a handicapped placard because i DESERVE it- my wife and my dr. were the ones that insisted on me getting it. and now that i have it- I definitely use it, and i NEVER feel a single pang of guilt about it.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Don't Expect You To Feel Guity

But, if i don't need one, i don't see how this guy did.

Besides, the heart thing is a canard. Every cardiologist in the world ENCOURAGES heart disease patients to walk. My dad had to have a quintuple bypass at one point. The doctors wanted him walking before the surgery, immediately after, and in the long term, his aftercare included 2 miles a day.

Besides, i don't know about you, but i can tell by looking at someone if every step is painful. I am 100% that i could tell by your face and body language that every step caused you pain. Our neighbor told my wife she could tell i was having a bad day by the way i was walking with the dog. I didn't see this in this idiot's gait.

The person with the wheelchair, by the way, doesn't need the space to be closer. They need the wider space to get out of the vehicle. Try to think before you expound, please.

Last point: If this guy had gone into Target and gotten on the Rascal, i would understand. But, the amount of walking he would have to do in that mammoth store was FAR in excess that the difference between parking where he belonged and where he did. Once again, your logic is failing you.
The Professor

[Liberaltarian]

16. there's actually a tie-in with the shopping cart thing here...

i understand about the van needing the wider space to get out- i have the same issue. do to my back condition(my spine is slowly fusing- my lumbar and cervical already have, and my thoracic is worsening) I have to open the car door ALL THE WAY in order to get into and out of my vehicle, so i need the wider space as well-
however, another thing that a lot of placard holders do that really bug the shit out of me- if all the handicapped spots are full, they park in the spots between the placard spots- the ones with the diagonal lines that are NOT supposed to be parked in, so that people who need the xtra room to get in/out of their vehicle can be accomodated.

As to the cart thing- I actually prefer to have loose carts scatterred in the parking lot, because the first thing i do upon entering a store is grab a cart, so that i can lean on it while i walk- kind of like a big "walker"- and if i can grab a cart in the parking lot right after getting out of my car, all the better.

in regard to your first post- i agree that people who abuse the privilege are shit- but i also think that people who pass judgement on other people's actions without knowing all the facts of the situation are just as shitty. despite what you think you may know about how much pain another person is in.

[ProfessorGAC]

18. Then We'll Have To Disagree, Agreeably, On That Point

Stay well.
The Professor

[XNASA]

14. Malls and such are filled with idiots.

I understand your rant, but I sure you realize that when you venture out into the world of shopping malls, etc.......it's a miserable experience.

Most people suck. And that's the way it is.

[ProfessorGAC]

15. Hey, That's What We Said Yesterday, Too

Hmmmm. Seems to be a common theme with you and me.
The Professor

[Liberaltarian]

17. Another use for handicapped placards that i don't understand-

when you have a parking placard, it also means that you don't have to put money in the parking meter when you park on the street.
I don't think that's right(and i have a placard). If a handicapped person can afford to own/operate a car- they can certainly afford to stick a quarter in a meter just as easily as the next guy...Imho.

[Inland]

20. Maybe can't get to the meter?

Just a thought.

[kick-ass-bob]

22. That's not the point.

There are no 'handicap only' parking on the street - so nowhere for them to be designated to park. Here in Raleigh, you only can feed the meter once - it lasts for 1/2 hour or an hour - so for a handicapped person with trouble moving, that gives them no time to do anything.

[SoCalDem]

21. Funny story.. My friend the cop loves rainy days

Whenever it rains, he and his partner "go out and make money for the city"..

I think our fine is up to $350 these days, and when it rains, they park in an unconspicuous spot and "round 'em up"..

Before people jump on this.. he's a "code enforcement" officer..not a detective or steet cop :)

[Rabrrrrrr]

23. LOL! That's wonderful!

Wish they'd do it more often.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. Me Too!

The Professor

[Rabrrrrrr]

25. I have a way of doing that sometimes

:evilgrin:

:hi:

(six r's on Rabrrrrrr, btw)

[ProfessorGAC]

27. Yeah, I Noticed It Too Late To Change It

Sorry.
The Professor

[Rabrrrrrr]

39. s'alright

No harm done. :-)

[Midlodemocrat]

26. Okay, but for the sake of argument

...perhaps the guy was recovering from heart surgery, or something, with no visible disability. I think it is wrong to steal a spot, don't get me wrong, because I used one all the time with my disabled dad, but maybe his infirmity was not visible.

[ProfessorGAC]

28. Recovering From Heart Surgery, Huh?

You do know that one is NOT allowed to drive for weeks after heart surgery due to the fragility of the healing sternum? Right?

So, if he has been cleared to drive, it has to be long into the recovery process, at which point, his cardio would be ENCOURAGING walking.


Also, riddle me this: If he's going into a Target, won't the walking in the huge store far exceed the difference between parking where he BELONGED vs. the handicapped spot. If he's healthy enough to wander around that cavernous building, he's healthy enough to walk the other 100 feet.

He's a bastard, and i CANNOT BELIEVE the number of DU'ers who are excusing this reprehensible behavior.
The Professor

[Midlodemocrat]

29. I agree with you Professor.

If he is healthy, he is a bastard, I am just saying that you are totally judging a book by its cover. What if he had just donated a kidney or something like that? Or was undergoing chemotherapy?

[ProfessorGAC]

30. Sorry, No Soap

If he can walk around the store, he's got the stamina and the ability to park where he belongs.

Those spaces are NOT for people with minor dysfunction. They are for people who are LEGALLY handicapped. I fit the legal definition and even i don't feel i should use them.

There is no way anyone will convince me that if one is healthy enough to drive a car, and then walk around a huge department store, that there not healthy and fit enough to walk the extra 100 feet to the front door.

Sorry, but my mind is, indeed, closed on this one. People who do this need to be boiled in oil. Avoiding a little discomfort, even if one has some medical condition, is not the intent of these ADA mandated spaces. Parking in them, when you don't ABSOLUTELY need to, is selfish, inconsiderate, and wrong.
The Professor

[Phentex]

31. I'm guessing the F word is about to hit you!

[ProfessorGAC]

35. Whatever

I can take it. Look, i'm someone who is legally entitled to those spaces. I don't use them. The day i need to, they had better not be occupied by some selfish morons who just think the rules don't apply to them.

If people here think i'm being closed minded on this, tough. People who park in handicapped spots when there is not an ABSOLUTE need are bastards. Nothing will change my mind about that.

If people want to call me names for believing that those spaces should be kept open for those in DIRE need, fine.
The Professor

[Midlodemocrat]

32. What if he was just going in to pick up a prescription

to battle the nausea from his chemo? I think he qualifies. I guess we just agree to disagree.

[ProfessorGAC]

33. Nausea Keeps Someone From Walking An Extra 100 Feet?

Hmmmm? Nausea kept my mother in law from sitting up in bed when she was undergoing chemo. The last thing she would have been able to do is drive to the store, walk all the way to the pharmacy section, and then get back out.

I think you're fishing now.
The Professor

[Midlodemocrat]

34. No, not fishing. I just

happen to know someone who got a handicapped sticker while battling cancer, because he was so terribly sick and lived alone. He didn't have anyone to get his meds for him most of the time.

[ProfessorGAC]

36. Like You Said

We'll agree to disagree. Well enough to drive and walk through the store, well enough to walk the extra 100 feet.

Please remember, I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. And i don't use it because i don't think the need is dire. ADA wasn't designed for people who are "sort of" handicapped. It's an abuse of the system to use them unless there are NO OTHER OPTIONS.

Sorry about your friend having cancer. That's a drag. But i don't accept that excuse either.
The Professor

[Midlodemocrat]

38. Well, having used a handicapped sticker

for my van with my dad, I have to say that they are extremely handy. It is impossible to get a wheelchair with a 250 pound man over a curb, so the flattening makes all the difference. Of course, I tossed the tag when he passed. I do have a friend however, who uses hers religiously because she has MS. Walking is quite an effort, but she doesn't want to succumb to a wheelchair yet. If you saw her get out and start to walk, you would think she was healthy. My point is that sometimes you can't see the infirmity. That is all I am saying. But, you are right, if a healthy person takes a space, they should be arrested.

[miss_kitty]

44. Actually I was puking my guts out from chemo and radiation

and was healing some groinal blisters from radiation, yet I managed to walk half a mile to my polling place and vote in Nov 2001, an off-year, election wise.

I also drove myself to radiation therapy everyday for 6 weeks and even to the hospital on a day when they decided I was having a nadir experience, and they kept my overnight, gave me 1 or 2 units of whole blood, and some shot to bring my platelets back.

I took Dolasetron and Zofran for nausea, and smoked pot too. Some days, though...

Everyone is different.

[miss_kitty]

43. Actually, I have stamina to walk around a large store

But I need to open my car door all the way to get out. But you can tell. It takes me a while, some days to get out. But once I'm out and warmed up, I'm sure people take one look at me and think "Asshat."

You know two years ago, I asked my oncologist for a renewal for my temp placard (3 months). I'm sure you know the feeling of 'bummer-itude' I got when I opened the envelope and the 'Permanent' box was checked.

But he's an asshat for using his mom and a handicapped space. And I get riled to see those spots taken by total ****s who think "I'm sitting in the car, so it's OK." :grr: I go straight to the store manager as soon as I find two parking spots together I can park in...

[Susang]

40. People can be assholes, can't they?

;-)

There's a house down the street that has one of the special street handicapped parking spaces in front and I have never once seen a handicapped person get in or out of the car that parks there. I'm pretty sure an elderly person lives there and the children got the street space for their own personal use, even though they have parking in the rear. :eyes:

[Phillycat]

42. Heh. She said "parking in the rear".

Yes, I am twelve.