Handicap Parking "Only In America"

Why do we have handicap parking for people that have electric wheelchair, raschals, or any other motorized transportation? After all doesn't the motorized transportation over come the handicap. Are we in America so lazy that we can't drive ourselves across the parking lot in our motorized seats? I have a list of reasons why not to have handicap plates, feel free to defend or add to my list: (1.) I have eaten so much that my ass is too fat to berkeleying walk. (2.) I have a health problem that my Doctor perscribed exercise for but walking into the store from across the parking lot is too much work. (3.) My car is too nice for you not to see so I asked my Doctor for a handicap plate.

I will stop my list here for now.

My Father has two artificial hips.. while he can get around well enough, walking across uneven ground is hard (he can't raise his right foot more than an inch or two without having to swivel his body to the side and use the knee) but does not use a wheelchair or even a cane.

Walking across a LONG parking lot can be torture.

As for the wheelchair access.. vans that have wheelchair lifts need extra room on the sides for the lift mechanism..

GVX19 wrote: Why do we have handicap parking for people that have electric wheelchair, raschals, or any other motorized transportation? After all doesn't the motorized transportation over come the handicap. Are we in America so lazy that we can't drive ourselves across the parking lot in our motorized seats? I have a list of reasons why not to have handicap plates, feel free to defend or add to my list:

Disabled parking spaces aren't just about being close to the door, they're also about having extra room. Room to open the door wider so you can get out more easily, room to park the wheelchair next to the car for a transfer from the seat, and definitely room for the liftgate on a wheelchair van.

I don't know if someone will get upset over what I am about to say, but I find it unacceptable that there are people in Superduty 4x4 pickups and tall sitting SUVs like Expeditions, Excursions, Tahoes, etc or anything that requires you to "climb" into that can get handicapped plates. I've even seen some modified/lifted trucks that have had plates.

If you have to or have someone who has to climb up into a truck, there shouldn't be a medical reason that requires you to have handicapped plates or placards.

My grandma who has two artificial hips, can barely get in my Durango and it doesn't sit as high as those vehicles. We usually take her Grand Marquis where we need to go.

While I agree with these guys about the importance of closer and/or wider spaces for the handicapped, I will agree with you (the op) that some parts of the process are a bit screwy. My grandma is practically bionic- 2 artificial knees, 1 hip, 1 shoulder, and the remaining joints need to be replaced. She struggles to get out a car, and walks REALLY slowly. She doesn't really drive anymore so she always has someone there to help her get out of the car, but she definitely needs to park closer. Not everyone who can currently get the parking pass needs one, though.

My mom for example is eligible for a handicapped parking dealy, but she refuses to get one. She has repetitive stress injuries from working that limit her ability to sit and use a computer, write with a pen/pencil/keyboard, turn her neck more than 45 degrees in any direction, and carry anything heavier than a gallon of milk. She does all of these things anyway except the neck movement thing, there's a plate in there keeping it all locked up, and deals with the pain (crazy pain tolerance is part of the reason her injuries got so bad in the first place). She says none of it limits her walking, so she doesn't want a handicap card. Leave them for the people who actually need them, she says.

Ironically, she later broke her knee lifting my nephew (who is way above her doctor-imposed weight lifting limit) into the child car seat. It didn't stop her from walking on it, though. Incidentally, her doctor thinks she's crazy.

There are a lot of people that look fine, but are disabled. I say that you should just be grateful that you're not blind, cripple, etc. and move on with your life. There are more important things to worry about, and the extra exercise won't hurt you. I'm not pointing at a specific poster by saying "you," I'm using it to mean the general public.

In reply to rotard:

Well I think that's the point. There are too many people taking advantage of the system. There are folks out there with real problems, that need to go to the store, want to go to the movies, or just get a coffee at McDonalds. Some may drive themselves, some may have people that drive them.

The thing is...you never know what someone's "handicap" is, unless you know them personally.

My best ex-girlfriend has Multiple Sclerosis. She's only 35yrs old. From the outside, she's a fairly hot middle-aged blue eyed blonde chick with an amazing figure above and below the waist. I think the various porno sites would call a woman like that a "MILF".

From the inside, she's half blind in one eye, can't walk more than 30m without needing a big cortisone shot in one of those beautiful hips, and sometimes can't access her long-term memory. Good thing it's not the short term memory, otherwise she wouldn't be able to drive at all.

If I were still a violent man, the next time I heard "..oh, the pretty bitch gets Handicapped Parking!!" from someone who doesn't know the reality behind her permit...well, let's just say that I would get violent.

EDIT: Time passes so quickly...If I'm 50, she's 40, not 35. I still stand behind my comment about how good she looks, though.

friedgreencorrado wrote: The thing is...you never know what someone's "handicap" is, unless you know them personally. My best ex-girlfriend has Multiple Sclerosis. She's only 35yrs old. From the outside, she's a fairly hot middle-aged blue eyed blonde chick with an amazing figure above *and* below the waist. I think the various porno sites would call a woman like that a "MILF". From the inside, she's half blind in one eye, can't walk more than 30m without needing a *big* cortisone shot in one of those beautiful hips, and sometimes can't access her long-term memory. Good thing it's not the short term memory, otherwise she wouldn't be able to drive at all. If I were still a violent man, the next time I heard "..oh, the pretty bitch gets Handicapped Parking!!" from someone who doesn't know the reality behind her permit...well, let's just say that I would get violent.

My girlfriends mom has MS. You'd think she was just a 50's something woman, but she really does have trouble walking. Some days are much better than others; some days are much worse. I've been with her shopping where she was walking as good as anyone, and then an episode started and she practically needed a wheel chair to get out of the place. I realized then why she always uses her card.

Not to mention that sometimes her fine motor skills aren't always up to snuff, and she will sometimes accidentally wing the door open. Always thankful for the extra space when it happens.

I know both sides of this well.. Some who don't look the part really benifit from the tags.. I have no problem with it..

but this is the internet.. So I must admit I have a big problem with this..

http://www.rileycountyks.gov/index.aspx?NID=724

Disabled Motorcycle Plate An individual can receive only one Disabled Motorcycle plate. The TR-159 Disabled Placard and/or Plate Application must be filled out and signed by a licensed health care professional. If the vehicle has a current regular plate, that plate must be taken to the treasurer's office along with the current owner registration and proof of insurance to be replaced with a Disabled Motorcycle plate.

I saw one guy riding a hard tail Harley chopper with ape hangers and all.. Wearing a handicap tag.. I just really struggle to be compassionate about that one...

mtn, wishing your g/f's mom a long period of remission, if she can get it. Now that I know what MS actually is, it's not just a rhetorical question to me anymore.

ronholm wrote: I know both sides of this well.. Some who don't look the part really benifit from the tags.. I have no problem with it.. but this is the internet.. So I must admit I have a big problem with this.. http://www.rileycountyks.gov/index.aspx?NID=724 Disabled Motorcycle Plate An individual can receive only one Disabled Motorcycle plate. The TR-159 Disabled Placard and/or Plate Application must be filled out and signed by a licensed health care professional. If the vehicle has a current regular plate, that plate must be taken to the treasurer's office along with the current owner registration and proof of insurance to be replaced with a Disabled Motorcycle plate. I saw one guy riding a hard tail Harley chopper with ape hangers and all.. Wearing a handicap tag.. I just really struggle to be compassionate about that one...

Riding a motorcycle and walking across a parking lot are two very different things.

friedgreencorrado wrote: mtn, wishing your g/f's mom a long period of remission, if she can get it. Now that I know what MS actually *is*, it's not just a rhetorical question to me anymore.

Thanks, and the same to your ex.

She's been diagnosed with it for about 15 years, but she suspects that she has actually had it for over 30 (I really don't have much knowledge on how it works). Honestly, in the 3.5 years I've known her, it hasn't gotten any worse--just like I said, there can be weeks at a time when it is bad. Interestingly, when she had a bee sting, it "cured" it for a week or two. I want her to try marijuana, but that won't happen for a variety of reasons. At least not in the next five-ten years.

In reply to mtn:

There is a such thing as a Bee Venom Treatment. They have found that bee stings can actually cure (or temporarily cure) certain medical issues. I'm not surprised it helped her, I am surprised for how long it helped.

mtn wrote: Interestingly, when she had a bee sting, it "cured" it for a week or two.

Some more alternative doctors purposefully inject bee venom into people. Apparently it can be very helpful with chronic pain syndromes. Usually it is injected into the foot about once a week. She should look into that if she already has evidence it is likely to work.

Edit: scooped by my slow typing on my phone ;)

My cousin was in a mobility scooter, you might have assumed he was just a fat, lazy bastard but ALS can be a bitch.

He's on a feeding tube now and it's just a matter of time.

Don't judge until you know the whole story.

GVX19 wrote: Why do we have handicap parking for people that have electric wheelchair, raschals, or any other motorized transportation? After all doesn't the motorized transportation over come the handicap. Are we in America so lazy that we can't drive ourselves across the parking lot in our motorized seats? I have a list of reasons why not to have handicap plates, feel free to defend or add to my list: (1.) I have eaten so much that my ass is too fat to berkeleying walk. (2.) I have a health problem that my Doctor perscribed exercise for but walking into the store from across the parking lot is too much work. (3.) My car is too nice for you not to see so I asked my Doctor for a handicap plate. I will stop my list here for now.

Spoken like a truly clueless person who has no idea what it's like living with a physical disability every day, forever.

Bravenrace I have some physical disability and I'm with the OP and still think most of the people on the scooters would be much better off walking since most of the time the disability is the inability to control their mouth and they eat way too much and get too little exercise.

The scooter exacerbates the problem. Of course I'm talking about the people on the store scooters.

But having said that, having recently broken my ankle and needed to use the store scooters for a while, they really need a turbo boost button on those things!!!

Why does anyone care what other people do? Since my wife had her stroke there are times when getting around are a problem, and she has gained some weight as her doctors play with her medications. I can't believe how many people can't keep their opinions to themselves. Sometimes her limp and speech issues are bad so I park near the store and get her a scooter. People, especially feel young men feel the need to come over and tell if she would get off her fat ass everything would be fine.

A few weeks ago we went to a graduation in a basketball arena. She is a bit clumsy so she sat in the handicap section. I didn't want to take up a seat since space was limited so I stood in the row behind the seats. Someone came up and sat down delivered a rant about how we needed to leave because fat wasn't a handicap. When I told him to mind his business he went and got a security guard to throw us out. The guard told him to butt out so he sat next to my wife and talked to his mom the whole time about how people like us should be in jail for taking a seat that in his mind we didn't need.

ronholm wrote: I saw one guy riding a hard tail Harley chopper with ape hangers and all.. Wearing a handicap tag.. I just really struggle to be compassionate about that one...

This one is perfectly A-OK in my book.

In Wisconsin, a person over 300 lbs can get a handicap permit.

That said, a few years ago, Mom had double knee replacement. Her doctor gave her a temporary permit. Three days after she was released from the hospital, I met Mom & Dad for dinner. As he was helping her out of the car, a car zipped into the hc spot next to them and a young man and a late 40s-early 50s woman hopped out and walked briskly past my folks, who were still extracting from the car. Dad doesn't have a filter on his mouth, so he loudly pondered, "I wonder what her handicap is?" Young man spun around to snap, "My mom is anorexic!"

I couldn't help but to say, "Wow, not only can fat people get a permit, but people who THINK they're fat can."

GVX19 wrote: Why do we have handicap parking for people that have electric wheelchair, raschals, or any other motorized transportation?

Common courtesy? A sense of human decency? So we can share consumer whorism with the physically disabled that don't have internet connections?

Meh, I always park out at the other end of the parking lot where it's empty anyway. I can't stand door dings/scratches on my vehicles and the extra 50 yards of walking definitely isn't going to hurt.

But I'm sure some of the stuff that bothers me, other people would find strange/dumb/ridiculous.

rotard wrote:

ronholm wrote: I know both sides of this well.. Some who don't look the part really benifit from the tags.. I have no problem with it.. but this is the internet.. So I must admit I have a big problem with this.. http://www.rileycountyks.gov/index.aspx?NID=724 Disabled Motorcycle Plate An individual can receive only one Disabled Motorcycle plate. The TR-159 Disabled Placard and/or Plate Application must be filled out and signed by a licensed health care professional. If the vehicle has a current regular plate, that plate must be taken to the treasurer's office along with the current owner registration and proof of insurance to be replaced with a Disabled Motorcycle plate. I saw one guy riding a hard tail Harley chopper with ape hangers and all.. Wearing a handicap tag.. I just really struggle to be compassionate about that one...

Riding a motorcycle and walking across a parking lot are two very different things.

when I lived in Pa.. there was a guy in the area who had a Harley that was specifically made for his wheelchair. It looked like a bike with a low sidecar.. but when you looked carefully, all the controls were on the "sidecar" where his special wheelchair would lock into place. It was really pretty cool

Also, I qualify for a handicapped placard due to my crohnes. Sometimes the extra 50 feet to the door can mean all the difference between going to the store and going home to change.. but, I have never felt the urge to go and get one