Handicapped parking spaces

[nitehawk]

Just what percent of the people with handicap signs or license plates
really need them ?? Does Walmart has enough handicapped spaces ?
Just watch when its raining how fast they can run from the car to the store - its a miracle. Yes I know there are many kinds of disabilities and thank God I dont need a handicap parking spot

[cybermuda]

Whenever we park near one of the sports pools, we are saddened that people fill up the few available Handicapped spaces then saunter into the pool.

If you can walk as far as your destination, please park in a "normal" space nearby and leave the reserved spaces for those who really need them.

They are specially-designed with large areas each side so that people can get into wheelchairs, or onto crutches.

Thank you

[BogeyBoy]

Don't judge a book by the cover.

Many medical conditions can limit someone's activity. Just because you observe someone walking from point A to point B doesn't mean they don't need a handicapped spot. They could have a serious heart condition or a problem that causes pain if they walk any distance.

I used to be critical of those using the handicapped spots, now I know many people that use them but have conditions that are not obvious. I also know people who are to proud to use them and put their well-being at risk every time they walk those extra steps.

[red tail]

well said. there are too many busybodies criticizing folks they know absolutly nothing about. there are many maladies out there requiring the stickers. its one thing to criticize driving habits and dogs and dog poop etc etc, but quite another to criticize the handicapped !
shame on those that do.

[natickdan]

Don't judge a book by the cover.

Many medical conditions can limit someone's activity. Just because you observe someone walking from point A to point B doesn't mean they don't need a handicapped spot. They could have a serious heart condition or a problem that causes pain if they walk any distance.

I used to be critical of those using the handicapped spots, now I know many people that use them but have conditions that are not obvious. I also know people who are to proud to use them and put their well-being at risk every time they walk those extra steps.

Well said!

[Posh 08]

Like the malady of the oxygen tank and smoking cigarettes at the same time.

[memason]

Honestly, if people worried more about the things they can change (themselves) and less about the things they can't (other people), they might be a lot happier.

just saying . . . :icon_wink:

[Oren L Miller]

Honestly, if people worried more about the things they can change (themselves) and less about the things they can't (other people), they might be a lot happier.

just saying . . . :icon_wink:

:bigbow: I was raised and told to keep my nose out of other people's business or be prepared to have a bruised nose a lot! Right now I have been lucky enough to not need a handicapped sign - But there may be a day I do and I don't want to have to explain to everyone why I need one.

[cybermuda]

Agreed - but if there are a limited number of handicapped parking slots, they should be left for those who really need them.

Imagine someone who needs to get from their car into a wheelchair turning up to find that both handicapped spots have been taken. Either they have to find two adjacent empty spots, or risk damaging someone else's car because they have to have their door wide open.

It's one thing to be "politically correct", but please don't tell me that you have NEVER seen anyone abuse those parking places. If you can stroll from your car to the pool, then play water volleyball, you can probably risk parking one row back.

Sorry if I have offended anyone who genuinely needs those parking places.

[The Village Girl]

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff129/Angiefox10/funny_handicap_signimg_assist_custom.jpg

[graciegirl]

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff129/Angiefox10/funny_handicap_signimg_assist_custom.jpg


Village Girl. When I grow up I wanta be just like you.

If I had 'em I'd be king.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

.......If I had 'em I'd be king.

"The king laughed - not because he had 'to', but because........"

Bill :wave:

[The Village Girl]

Agreed - but if there are a limited number of handicapped parking slots, they should be left for those who really need them.

Imagine someone who needs to get from their car into a wheelchair turning up to find that both handicapped spots have been taken. Either they have to find two adjacent empty spots, or risk damaging someone else's car because they have to have their door wide open.

It's one thing to be "politically correct", but please don't tell me that you have NEVER seen anyone abuse those parking places. If you can stroll from your car to the pool, then play water volleyball, you can probably risk parking one row back.

Sorry if I have offended anyone who genuinely needs those parking places.


Oh dear, You haven't offended ANYONE who needs them, but EVERYONE who doesn't, and uses them! I suggest you RUN!!! SAVE YOURSELF!!

[RichieB]

If I had 'em I'd be king.

The prince has 'em, and he's not the king. :)

[Oren L Miller]

I agree there are times I think someone could be abusing it but I don't know the whole story. I am not the judge and jury for the who is handicapped and who is not. I have a friend that is healing right now from having his achilles tendon reattached. He can walk okay for a short distance. If he pushes it he will be in surgery again. This is the second time because the first time he was too proud to use handicapped parking. This time he was told it was his last chance. It can't be repaired again. Sometimes I see people driving really fast and I think they are idiots. Then I stop to think that they may be rushing someone to a hospital or rushing to see someone in a hospital and if they don't get there quick they may not get to see them. Yes, life is not fair. Yes, people always try to cheat the system. But unless you are onipotent and know it all be careful about judging others. Leave that to the Professionals.

[buggyone]

In order to get a blue handicapped hangtag for your car, I believe you have to have a form completed by your physician.

In Maryland, where I came from, you could also get a red temporary hangtag for your car which indicated something like an injury that prevented you from walking distances but is of a temporary nature - and the expiration date was printed on the tag.

I do not know what the Florida regs are on the issue since I do not need either one - and hope I never do.

[skyguy79]

IMHO, I believe that I have the ability to comment on this with a degree of authority for a couple of reasons. First because I have been a legal user of handicapped parking for more than 10 years, but more importantly having been authorized for many years by the State of New York DMV Commissioner to waive the medical proof requirement for a handicapped permit based on my personal observation or knowledge of the person applying for handicapped plates. Based on that here are some of my facts or opinions on the subject:

1) One of the biggest problems a handicapped person faces is the attitude of the know it all individual who feels that their opinion is greater than the handicapper's needs. I once complained to an officer of an organization that they only had two handicapped parking spaces and that their frequently occupied illegally. The response I got back was virtually who cares!

2) Attitudes don't end there either. A year ago I started communicating with the Chief of Police at Lady Lake because someone here on TOTV stated that a handicapped person with a legit permit cannot park in handicap parking space if they remain in the vehicle while their driver runs into a store. He agreed with the statement that I disagreed with. He followed up with a FL DMV administrator and the response was the same... she agreed that it was not permitted.

Upon my providing an explanation and proof why I believed I was right in that I could remain in the vehicle, he further pursued the issue with the DMV. The DMV administrator checked further like she should have in the beginning and found that I was correct after all, but she didn't personally agree with that fact.

Again the attitudes are not limited to the general public but also with people in a position of so called authority. Why the authorities in FL even removed the limited inability to walk beyond a reasonable distance as a valid reason for a permit. Some message this sends us... that we should remain homebound and don't have a right to do the many things that normal people do.

3)There are reasons that most people would not even realized where the handicapped space is needed, not even those people in positions of authority. Some situations are not even authorized under the usage regulations.

In my case I could not drive the accessible vehicle nor could I ride in the passenger seat. I had to sit in the back with my mobility scooter. In order to get in or out, with or without my scooter. If I had to be parked in a non handicapped space, how would I get out if I needed to use a rest room if the deployment ramp was blocked from being open.

In the unlikely chance that my vehicle or one next to my vehicle were to suddenly catch on fire. Do I have to describe what could happen if I couldn't get out because my ramp is being blocked?

4) I indicated that there could be reasons that the extra space can be needed that's not even covered by the eligibility requirements. Have you ever had a car park so close to your drivers side entry that you could barely get in if you can at all? If so can you imagine a large person that needs the car door to be open fully in order to be able to get in but can't as their limited endurance for standing may be at a critical stage?

If I thought hard I'm sure I could come up with more reasons, but what I've stated should suffice.

Now, is there a perfect solution to resolving the problem of abusers? Probably not, but it seems that when ever government tries to fix a problem, they create more. For instance... I have been on a pain killer for over 5 years now. My NY doctor never prescribe more than I could safely take. I never abused them and I usually didn't even take the max I could. Now on my first visit to a doctor here in TV I was told that he would not prescribe the medication for me because of his fear of losing his medical license, and that no other doctor in the area would risk it either.

I was reminded of this just yesterday with the news of the feds raid on the CVS pharmacy. Now because of the government's over aggression of trying to solve one problem, those of us that legitimately need those medications have to suffer.

It's unfortunate that we're seeing more and more of these kind of government failures to stay out of our lives!

[skyguy79]

In order to get a blue handicapped hangtag for your car, I believe you have to have a form completed by your physician.

In Maryland, where I came from, you could also get a red temporary hangtag for your car which indicated something like an injury that prevented you from walking distances but is of a temporary nature - and the expiration date was printed on the tag.

I do not know what the Florida regs are on the issue since I do not need either one - and hope I never do.You are correct in what you've stated. I believe that the red tag would be good for 6 months and think that this is pretty much the same was in most or all states.

[2BNTV]

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff129/Angiefox10/funny_handicap_signimg_assist_custom.jpg

Loved this. Funny stuff. :1rotfl:

Seriously, I have had people tell me were driving the handicapped person's vehicle to run errands and took the liberty to park close to the store.

Reminds me of a gym I belonged that had limited parking spaces in front.
There was a big lot store across the street they could have parked in. They would wait 20 to 30 minutes for a spot and then go inside and run three miles on a treadmill. Maybe, human nature? GO FIGURE!!!!!

I realize some people have condition that can't be seen but in some case, it is sheer laziness and I don't give a cr** attitude. The extra few steps are good for a person's health and should be utilized by handi-capped people who have a real need.

[cquick]

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff129/Angiefox10/funny_handicap_signimg_assist_custom.jpg

I LOVE this sign! Our son is in a wheelchair and we absolutely need a handicapped space so we can drop the ramp. But if all the spaces are filled, we have figured out a way to get around it. We park WAAY out in the parking lot and park our van at an angle, so we have room to drop the ramp AND nobody will park in the space next to us. It works like a charm. In the rain, we stop near the front of the store (NOT directly in the cross walk!) and get him out there, and then go park the van in the lot. It is easiest to use the handicapped parking spots, but c'est la vie!

Connie