Re: [QUAD-L] NJ Handicap parking

[River Wolfe]

I have the same issue with needing space for my lift.  Most of the time I could care less where I park as long as I have room for my lift.  I came up with a great solution for this problem.  Take a mini traffic cone and put a rope around it and a  hook at the other end so you can hook it to your van door.  Put the cone out far enough so that no one will park next to you.   This weekend I was waiting for a parking spot at the mall.  We were right behind the car pulling out of the HC spot and another driver (elderly woman) pulled right into the spot ahead of us.  Clearly, we were there first.  I wasn't driving and so Jonny let me out of the van and I followed the lady out of the lot and told her we were there first.  She didn't bother to even look at me and said " I was there" knowing she was in the wrong.  I cussed her out and then let out the air in her tire.  That's the FIRST time I've ever done that and it felt great.   Another time at WAL MART (first mistake) I was waiting for a spot to be vacated and there were several shopping carts blocking the area for my lift.  I honked for the person leaving the spot and she just looked at me.  I tried to motion to her that I needed her to move the carts and she got into the car and pulled out.  I was honking like crazy but she still ignored me.  I bet she wondered why I didn't take the spot. People are so insensitive these days.   Riv On Feb 27, 2006, at 1:50 AM, Corie Jones wrote: I use a power chair also, BUT I have  chronic tendinitis in both my shoulders, so driving my chair long distances is difficult (painful) for me, so feel that I definitely need handicap parking.  I have to save my shoulder to drive around the store, so I need the closer parking spaces to not wear out my shoulder before I even get into the store or place I'm going.  The other issue is that being in a handicapped parking allows me to put my lift down.  If I am stuck parking in a regular parking space, then I would not have the space to put my lift down and I have a minivan, so it's not like it takes up a huge amount of space.  Many times I have had to park way out in a parking area of a shopping mall because all the handicap parking are taken, usually by people who are walking just fine, even the elderly.  I see so many people getting in and out of cars with handicap placards, who walk just fine.  Then once I am stuck parking out in a regular parking space, I come back to my van to find someone parked next to me, which then requires my mom to pull the van out to get me in it.  It's totally inconvenient.  I personally feel that handicap parking is for people in wheelchairs or who are unable to walk very well.  Unfortunately, it's the doctors who hand them out way too easily. Corie ----- Original Message ----- From: Brien To: quad-list@eskimo.com Cc: quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2006 9:01 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] NJ Handicap parking Consider my perspective. I have a power chair and a van with a lift.  Since  I can  practically do 10mph, I could care less what spaces are available.  Disabled parking spots are truly for people who have much difficulty getting from the car to the building.  I am a quad and am very proud not to use disabled parking spaces because I don't need them.  I am sure everybody has an opinion on disabled spaces but pregnant women, for the most part, have acceptable mobility and dont need em. I picture somebody who can barely with a walker/cane walk as eligible for disabled spaces! What do folks think? On Feb 25, 2006, at 11:40 AM, QuadPirate wrote: I'm curious to why this is bugging you?   Mark   -------Original Message-------   From: Miss Liz Date: 02/25/06 13:29:34 To: Quad-List Subject: [QUAD-L] NJ Handicap parking   The local news WCBS_TV did a story @ NJ legislature wanting to put a bill through to let pregnant women park in handicap spaces. I am trying to find out what idiot proposed this idea so I may write a letter. Has anyone heard of this?   <IMSTP.gif>