Shameful Acts of Indifference

As a physically handicapped person I am often disgusted when I see perfectly healthy people, young and old, briskly walking to or from their vehicle which is parked in a handicapped parking spot. More disgusting is the fact that these people have a handicap parking permit displayed in the vehicle’s windshield.  On more than one occasion I have had to abandon my shopping trip and return home because there were no handicap parking spaces available.

Putting myself at risk, I have confronted some of these inconsiderate scofflaws.  In one case, an older woman had just walked briskly from the supermarket and was loading her groceries into the trunk of her car.  I mentioned to her that she did not appear to be handicapped although she was parked in a handicap parking space.  She said that because she had hip surgery that she was entitled to park there.  Her brisk walking did not show any trace of discomfort to her.  Another incident occurred at a US Post Office.  A young woman with two children parked in the only open handicap parking space.  When I noticed that she did not appear handicapped though parking in a handicap parking spot, I brought it to her attention.  She said her grandmother was handicapped.  I pointed out that her grandmother was not with her.  She then said that she had several packages.  I pointed out that she was occupying a handicap parking space illegally.  She then said f–k you and proceeded with her business.  I was unable to go into the post office that day because there were no open handicap parking spaces.

On many occasions I see many very large SUVs parked in a handicap parking spot with a handicap parking permit displayed in their windshield.  As a handicapped person I would find it extremely difficult to get in and out of a large SUV.  My suspicion is that the drivers of these SUVs really don’t need to park in a handicap parking spot.  Of course I recognize those people who have specially equipped vans with wheelchair ramps built in.  The SUVs I have observed had no such devices.

My next comment will probably not help me make friends with AARP.  I am in my 60s and I am physically handicapped.  I have lost count of the numerous times I have seen people who appear to be in their 60s and who walk briskly or in some cases run to or from their vehicle which is parked in a handicapped parking space.  The vehicle displaying a handicap parking permit.  Where is it written that just because you’re in your 60s or beyond, that you are automatically entitled to a handicap parking permit?  In my opinion, the doctors who prescribe the parking permit are as much to blame as those who use the permit and clearly don’t need them.  I should also let you know that I delayed using a permit until I could simply not walk the distance from the parking lot to the electric shopping cart.

Enforcement by the police is also very weak in my community.  It’s strong only in one particular supermarket chain.  However, there is no enforcement in any of the other places I shop or do business.  Apathy abounds apparently.

I feel very strongly that all handicap parking permits should be revoked and much stronger tests and regulations be developed for the issuance of them.  I don’t see any other solution to fix the problem.  Obviously, many in our society have no consideration for those of us who need these parking spots.

I hope to hear from those who have comments about this post.