[Skunky1]

In general I don’t think people have any concept of what disabled is.

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Humm, this sure took a sudden turn ! So much had to do with public parking at various retails locations, and now it turns to disagreement concerning private property. Can't see this ever being settled if it switches to people's and businesses private parking and drives ! Maybe just use what gram-ma referred to as "COMMON sense" and "decency" !

I get it. They, anyone unless they are a law enforcement officer have any legal authority to speak with me or anyone else about their parking, driving or seeing someone sitting in a car in a handicapped parking spot as something bad. Possibly they have COPD and are preparing to enter the store? The point is, mind your business. Everyone seems to think that they are Barney Fife.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Some, yes. Him? Never! That is real commitment to the game. Kudos!

So who is the arbiter of who gets a Handicap Plate/Placard?

I'm legally allowed to fill out the forms for a patient. And I fill out maybe 5-6/year. Most of those are renewals. I also turn down another dozen or so, telling the pt that they don't have the proper diagnosis to get one.

When asked why, I tell them that keeping my medical license is more important... That I won't lie on a form...

I've only had one patient ever get mad at me for that... No great loss...

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

So who is the arbiter of who gets a Handicap Plate/Placard?

I'm legally allowed to fill out the forms for a patient. And I fill out maybe 5-6/year. Most of those are renewals. I also turn down another dozen or so, telling the pt that they don't have the proper diagnosis to get one.

When asked why, I tell them that keeping my medical license is more important... That I won't lie on a form...

I've only had one patient ever get mad at me for that... No great loss...

The problem is that there is no arbiter. Turning down a request to sign the form just allows the "patient" to go to another doctor who will sign the form. And, the state has no information about how many times a request for a permit was rejected. I don't think that the remote possibility of losing their medical license is a reaIistic concern for most medical providers.

[NotGolfer]

So....I ask, what makes people assess what's wrong with individuals? I'd say it's frustration that turns to anger. There are all sorts of issues that cause a person to have a placard. At our house---I have rheumatoid disease (some call it arthritis) that has affected my mobility. My S.O. had a stroke (recovered from it) but as age progresses the mobility has been affected. BOTH of us "look" fine but we're not. Walking is an issue for both of us and we don't go too far because of it. Do we have wheelchairs? NO!!! I don't disparage anyone for parking in those spots. Is it frustrating at times to not find one----YES!! But to make blanket statements only feeds into that frustration. There is an old adage that says..."walk in another's moccasins......."

[Blackbird45]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

And you would be wrong in that assumption.

I occasionally play golf with someone who is handicapped. He can walk a few steps to the tee, but he's allowed to drive his cart (with special tires) up to the edge of the green. Then, he can walk the few steps to finish putting out.

Yes, he can swing a club and hit the ball well, but his heart issues won't allow him to walk all over the course, especially on the Exec courses...

It warms my heart that he can still play at his age and physical status...

I've also seen wheelchair confined players on the golf course.

Should they be denied handicap plates?

I understand special needs and people can play golf but let be honest here. Fist my wife can't stand I have to actually lift out of the car and shift her into her wheelchair. As I said before I see golf carts parked in handicap zones with a tag and have seen the owners walk either to or from their golf carts. These are not special golf carts, and they're filled with clubs. The tags have a wheelchair on them not golf clubs. The handicap spots have a space to accommodate a wheelchair and no curbs.

[DaleRGrippo]

Stop complaining and think of why this person might need this handicap parking pass
Possibly a vet who lost limbs etc protecting you at home while deployed in some far off land
So you could complain about something now
Possibly sick or injured in a accident probably caused by someone that complains a lot like you
The reasons go on & on
Mind your own business

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by Skunky1

In general I don’t think people have any concept of what disabled is.

The posts to this thread demonstrate differently! (does not mean any are correct or right.....just a "concept")

__________________________________________________ ___

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Blackbird45

I understand special needs and people can play golf but let be honest here. Fist my wife can't stand I have to actually lift out of the car and shift her into her wheelchair. As I said before I see golf carts parked in handicap zones with a tag and have seen the owners walk either to or from their golf carts. These are not special golf carts, and they're filled with clubs. The tags have a wheelchair on them not golf clubs. The handicap spots have a space to accommodate a wheelchair and no curbs.

Are you proposing that handicap placards and plates be issued only to those in wheelchairs? Are those who do not (yet?) need a wheelchair less deserving of the handicap spot? Are some less handicapped when they ride in golf carts than they are when they ride in automobiles?

It just seems easy to me:
- If you don't have a placard or plate, don't use the spot (if you forgot it at home then too bad, you're out of luck)
- If you do have a placard or plate but don't feel you need the close spot then be courteous to the person who might and don't use the spot
- If someone with a placard or plate is parked in the spot then accept that a doctor determined they have the need to be there and mind your own business

Aside from the cheaters and entitled idiots, the problem we have around here (or probably any retirement community) is the number of people with handicap permits. There are ADA rules for how many spots there must be but those rules consider the average population and not the population of a retirement community.

More spots could be added but you might end up with over half the spots marked for handicap. Some of those spots would not feel close at all. Many of the spots would be empty and would encourage the entitled idiots to park in them without a permit.

There is no real solution to the problem of running out of spots but being courteous would help a lot.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The problem is that there is no arbiter. Turning down a request to sign the form just allows the "patient" to go to another doctor who will sign the form. And, the state has no information about how many times a request for a permit was rejected. I don't think that the remote possibility of losing their medical license is a reaIistic concern for most medical providers.

It doesn't matter "what you think"...

I've been asked to supply medical records when submitting handicap plate requests.

If my records don't match the diagnosis on the form, that's a big problem...

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by jswirs

It is the epitome of disrespect and entitlement when you feel the need to tell everyone else how to live.
I have also learned that when I concern myself with my own life and ignore everyone else's, I have a much happier life.

And this, my friends, says it all![/QUOTE]

Yep! What I read above is "its all about me. Everyone else, go pound sand."
One of the markers of humanity is to care about others and to help others. One way to help our disabled friends and neighbors, is to call out misuse or abuse of facilities meant for handicapped people. If we err, it was meant with good intentions. The more severe the disability, the more they rely on those spaces.
To those who vehemently shout back "mind your own business", I hope you never find yourself in a situation where you need help, and the only person that could save you remembers how you told them to mind their their own business.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Blackbird45

I understand special needs and people can play golf but let be honest here. Fist my wife can't stand I have to actually lift out of the car and shift her into her wheelchair. As I said before I see golf carts parked in handicap zones with a tag and have seen the owners walk either to or from their golf carts. These are not special golf carts, and they're filled with clubs. The tags have a wheelchair on them not golf clubs. The handicap spots have a space to accommodate a wheelchair and no curbs.

Again, you have no idea what their handicap may be.

Many times, it's quite visible (your wife, for example). Other times, it's not...

Having golf clubs on a cart and being able to walk into a restaurant means nothing as far as a handicap goes...

Someone with severe COPD or heart disease may be able to make that short walk, but not the longer walk from two blocks away...

Now, are there people who abuse the system? Most certainly. But if you think you can identify them in the 20 seconds you see them, you're sadly mistaken...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Are you proposing that handicap placards and plates be issued only to those in wheelchairs? Are those who do not (yet?) need a wheelchair less deserving of the handicap spot? Are some less handicapped when they ride in golf carts than they are when they ride in automobiles?

It just seems easy to me:
- If you don't have a placard or plate, don't use the spot (if you forgot it at home then too bad, you're out of luck)
- If you do have a placard or plate but don't feel you need the close spot then be courteous to the person who might and don't use the spot
- If someone with a placard or plate is parked in the spot then accept that a doctor determined they have the need to be there and mind your own business

Aside from the cheaters and entitled idiots, the problem we have around here (or probably any retirement community) is the number of people with handicap permits. There are ADA rules for how many spots there must be but those rules consider the average population and not the population of a retirement community.

More spots could be added but you might end up with over half the spots marked for handicap. Some of those spots would not feel close at all. Many of the spots would be empty and would encourage the entitled idiots to park in them without a permit.

There is no real solution to the problem of running out of spots but being courteous would help a lot.

Spot on!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

It doesn't matter "what you think"...

I've been asked to supply medical records when submitting handicap plate requests.

If my records don't match the diagnosis on the form, that's a big problem...

If you are claiming that Florida has an effective screening system for issuing handicapped parking permits, I disagree.

[Blackbird45]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Again, you have no idea what their handicap may be.

Many times, it's quite visible (your wife, for example). Other times, it's not...

Having golf clubs on a cart and being able to walk into a restaurant means nothing as far as a handicap goes...

Someone with severe COPD or heart disease may be able to make that short walk, but not the longer walk from two blocks away...

Now, are there people who abuse the system? Most certainly. But if you think you can identify them in the 20 seconds you see them, you're sadly mistaken...

We are not talking blocks. Every parking lot is a walking distance from the entrance, it be a doctor's office, a restaurant or a supermarket. None of these handicap spots are inches away from the door. What I'm trying to get across is if you are not using a walker or a wheelchair, park in a regular spot. It might be a few feet more steps, but it allows the people who need the extra space that the handicap spots offer to be use by the people who need it. When I pull into a regular spot with my wife, I make sure the driver side is almost on the line, so I have enough room to open the passenger door all the way and get the wheelchair in place without hitting the car next to her side.