In article <SX7wj.113$JU3.82@trndny04>,
"Julie Bove" > wrote:

> "Dan Abel" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >, sf wrote:
> >
> >
> >> In any case, your story sounds like two handicapped bullies to me (or
> >> more likely, they were drivers of handicapped people) - but you didn't
> >> say how many were in each car. Don't forget that handicapped
> >> stickers/placards and handicapped parking spaces are regularly abused.
> >
> > We've all heard stories about people using other's handicapped id.
> > Still, it's pretty hard to tell. My sister and uncle both have
> > handicapped placards. They are both able to get around just fine.
> > However, they both drive my father around. He's able to get around
> > fine, for a short distance. He's 91, with two artificial knees that
> > aren't working as well as they used to. Still, when one of them pulls
> > into the handicapped spot with my father and they get out, it doesn't
> > really look like they need the spot. But if they park far away, by the
> > time they get to the store, my father can't walk any more. They have to
> > find a seat so he can rest. Sometimes it isn't easy to find a seat, and
> > he can't just sit anywhere, since my sister isn't strong enough to get
> > him up from a seat that is too low. She asked if I wanted to borrow the
> > id, since I'm taking dad to see my brother and family. No, I'll just
> > have my brother drop us off in front of the store while my brother
> > parks. You can't do that with just dad and a driver. Dad has senile
> > dementia, and doesn't remember anything in the short term. If you drop
> > him off in front of the store by himself, you can count on him not being
> > there when you get there. There's no way to tell which way he went. He
> > never has any idea at all where he is, or how he got there.
>
> My problem is I can't walk very far or stand for very long. I haven't tried
> to get a handicapped sticker because too many times I have seen people being
> harassed for parking in there when they don't appear to be handicapped. I
> can just envision myself having to stand there and explain what all my
> medical problems are while my legs are locking up on my from standing in one
> spot for too long. So I just hope for the best, and most of the time I am
> able to get a spot next to the handicapped or fairly close.

There is a proper etiquette for complaints about illegitimate use of
handicapped parking. It doesn't ever involve complaining directly to
the person, as there is no way to verify anything. There are records
somewhere, and if the person in the car (or one of the people) doesn't
match who the id is for, then a citation can be issued by the police
officer who responded to the complaint. I believe in California it is
US$270. That's an awfully expensive parking spot to save a few steps.


> Would be nice in some instances though like going to the fair. Not that I
> think I will be going there again any time too soon. Once through the
> gates it is hard for me to get around. I spend my time looking from seat to
> seat and the amount of walking I have to do there leaves me laid up for a
> couple of weeks afterwards.

Have you thought about a wheelchair or walker? I believe some walkers
have built-in seats. Either way, you can always find a seat, since you
brought it with you.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA