Shouldn't a person who has a handicapped sticker only park in handicapped parking?

Question

Here's a scenario follow up: I live in an apartment complex with a front parking lot (front and back rows) and another section of parking way in the back. A woman in my complex has a handicapped sticker but has only parked in 1 of 3 such designated spots less than 10% of the year I've lived there. Personally, I think that if she's so handicapped the State needs to give her a sticker, she should park there all the time. The problem is, she refuses to park in a handicapped spot and instead chooses to park in a normal spot all the time. It's only in the case that no front spots are open (and the only other option is parking way in the back) that she remembers she's handicapped and she parks there. It gets very annoying when I have to park in the back to unload groceries or carry my newborn to the house because someone can't park in a handicapped spot when they have the sticker. Am I wrong for feeling this way? If not, should I confront her, and what would be the best way to do so?

Answer 1

Yes you are wrong. You are able bodied and should not be resenting someone because they don't use a handicapped space all the time. How small of you.

Not all handicapped people are wheel chair bound and are some what ambulatory. They may be able to navigate short distances with no problem. My own mother is such a case, she has scoliosis, which makes it difficult but not impossible to walk, and she doesn't always use handicapped spaces if she feels she can make it from a regular space.

People who have these decals for the most part would gladly switch places with you, and never use a handicapped space if the were able. Count your blessings and stop resenting someone because they sometimes need a handicapped space and sometimes don't.

To confront her would be obnoxious, unless you know her relative state of health you are in no position or have NO moral high ground to confront anyone.

Answer 2

I understand how parking spaces are a premium in apartment buildings. You did not mention if you have ever seen her disability. I know there are people with non-visible disabilities but I ask because sometimes relatives have handicapped parking stickers for members of their family who cannot drive. For example, I have an 80 year old grandmother who uses a walker when she can walk. I drive her to doctor's appointments and shopping, etc. Only when she is in my car, do I ever use the sticker so she will not have to walk very far. I leave the sticker hanging on my rearview window all the time so I don't forget it. But I never use the sticker for handicap parking spaces when it's just me. I also have a friend with cerebral palsy. He has trouble walking. He has never driven a car in his life but has a handicap sticker for the people who do come to pick him up for church or shopping. Please don't jump to conclusions about your neighbor because she has a handicap sticker. She might be in the same situation as I am. She doesn't want to use the handicap space for herself but may be using it for a relative.

Answer 3

You're wrong, and no matter how you try to finese it you will only create trouble that need not happen. She has the right to park there, and can also park in handicap space, you don't get to decide.

It bothers me that you may want to try and justify confrontation, but if you think about it you have no ground to stand on. The fact that your hauling an infant or packages isn't relevant, since everyone hauls packages.

I suggest you you find away to live with it and not stir up trouble. Get a portable shopping cart if its too much too handle, at least til your baby is old enough to walk. Most dept stores sell them for less $20 and that is worth more than having your neighbors think you mean and petty. The more you try to make an issue out of this the worse you will look.

BTW cloning a answer that agrees with you is kind of cheesy and may get you reported. don't let your need to be right compound the number of things you are wrong about.

Answer 4

Three scenarios: First, some people have diseases that affect them only part of the time. For example, someone suffering with lupus has good days and bad ones. She may only need the benefit of that parking spot 10% of the time when she is really suffering. Second, perhaps the distance from that spot to her apartment isn't that far, but she really needs those spots when on the street or shopping center because the distance is much further. Finally, perhaps the sticker is for someone that lives with her and she only needs it if she is taking that person to the doctor, etc.

In whichever of the cases, or any other, be grateful that you don't need that sticker and are able-bodied enough to walk with your toddler and bags into your house. I know it's an inconvenience, but we need to learn to truly be grateful for what we DO have. When you start thinking like that, your entire perspective of life changes. Trust me...been there. Good luck.

Answer 5

So if you somehow you bully her into parking in the handicap spaces only, will you be guaranteed a spot where you want? Of course not. You will have to do as most able bodied people with children and groceries do, and that is cope with the few extra feet you have to walk.

Sadly, you have already rationalized your thinking and will probably try to brow beat her into giving up a space. But should she be bullied into doing as you say your victory will have been shallow and childish. What a shame this will be one of the first lessons your child will learn from you, that throwing your weight around trumps doing the right thing. How petty it is that you'd want to do this, even pettier than thumbs downing those that dared to disagree with your logic. It doesn't take a genius to see who you will pick as best answer, another amoral person who thinks rudeness and laziness are virtues. Shame on you for not even considering that you are wrong. Its time to grow up and start setting a GOOD example for that child of yours.

Answer 6

The sticker may be for someone else who also uses the car. My mother has a handicapped sticker but it is because her partner needs it and she doesn't so she only uses handicapped parking when her partner is with her (or when we want to exploit the system, of course!).

I think it is quite noble of the woman to not use the handicapped spot if she doesn't need it. I also think you should get over it. You CHOSE to have a kid, she didn't choose to be handicapped. Don't punish someone else for your choices.

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with what she's doing. In fact, I consider it improper to park in a handicapped spot when the handicapped person isn't operating or riding in the specially marked vehicle. And if a handicapped person still wants to use regular parking spaces, then he/she is legally entitled to do so. They're not required to use just handicapped parking. So no, don't confront her. You'll just potentially end up in a confrontation.

Answer 8

Are you familiar with this woman's handicap? Unless you know specifically how she is disabled to say anything is going to make yourself look childish and rude. Your groceries and infant are a temporary condidtion and presumably everyone can say they too have a need for the best spots at your complex.

It amazes me how people rationalize their own rudeness when they perceive someone else is being rude. The fact is, most handicaps aren't always to such an extent that people always need to take advantage of the spaces and it is not the place for others to decide for them where they should park.

Answer 9

Granted most people can't park in handicapped spaces but...people have different types of handicaps. Many spaces are designed for increased access around their vehicle or to the sidewalk. If a person is capable of walking but can't be on their feet too long it is often advantageous to park as close to the front door as possible to minimize the amount of walking they need to do.

Answer 10

I have a simular situation in an apartment complex where I live. There is a man who lives on his own and only parks in the handicapped spot. We have 4 handicapped spots and 9 regular spots and sometimes there are no spots, even in the back to park. Sometimes, I (a 100 pound woman) have to carry my 2 year old son in his car seat from a good distance away. My husband does not get home until later so I have to do this all on my own. This person barely leaves the house and always stands one spot away from the handicapped spot. But this is not even the issue. The issue is that there is no reason for this!Therefore, I definitely know and agree with what you are saying. All of these people that have such a big issue are interperting this as something completely different then what it really is. For those of you who think that I am being selfish, as the person who posted this scenario, has misunderstood the entire point of the story. Of course no one wishes to be handicapped and I do not believe anyone is saying that they would wish to be in their shoes. confronting this person should not be offending, but eye opening and very reasonable. This is not about the issue of being handicapped, it is an issue of thinking of other people and helping others out, even if they are not always aware that they are helping. If this person is so horrible for even thinking of asking the person why they park there, why would they be asking for our opinions and wouldn't have gone through it on his own? Why does everything always have to be turned around and looked at as being a bad example and a horrible person? No one hates anyone, it is just an annoyance.