Parking in the Handicap Spot

[Anonymous]

I had to take my son to the doctor and he was late to school this morning. I parked in the handicap spot and hung the placard in the mirror. As I walked towards the front door of the school there was a gentleman sitting on a bench outside. I greeted him with a hello and he said "that spot is for handicap people". I explained that I had my placard that allows me to park there. He took one look at my son and said "he's not handicapped". I wanted to explain my son's condition to him but was feeling fairly annoyed. I just ended up telling him his condition and that he was in fact handicapped. He didn't seem convinced, it didn't even register with him. This is my first time encountering something like this. Part of me is posting this to rant but the other part has me wondering - if the kid's not in a wheel chair will they think we're parking illegally? That he's not legitimately handicapped? We don't park near the door just to get a free spot. He really needs this. As I left I was ready to rail into him if he made one more comment. Jerk. I was already having a bad morning and this just pushed me over the edge.

[Anonymous]

You handled it correctly. You do not owe anyone an explanation.

[Anonymous]

You didn't owe him or anyone else an explanation. Who cares if "they" think he has a disability -- the only people who need to be convinced are you, your son's doctor, and the DMV.

Just walk past busybodies without acknowledging them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to take my son to the doctor and he was late to school this morning. I parked in the handicap spot and hung the placard in the mirror. As I walked towards the front door of the school there was a gentleman sitting on a bench outside. I greeted him with a hello and he said "that spot is for handicap people". I explained that I had my placard that allows me to park there. He took one look at my son and said "he's not handicapped". I wanted to explain my son's condition to him but was feeling fairly annoyed. I just ended up telling him his condition and that he was in fact handicapped. He didn't seem convinced, it didn't even register with him. This is my first time encountering something like this. Part of me is posting this to rant but the other part has me wondering - if the kid's not in a wheel chair will they think we're parking illegally? That he's not legitimately handicapped? We don't park near the door just to get a free spot. He really needs this. As I left I was ready to rail into him if he made one more comment. Jerk. I was already having a bad morning and this just pushed me over the edge.

The man was wrong. The only comment you owe him after he says "He's not handicapped" is "His doctor and the state disagree with you." e.g. "You're an ass and you're wrong."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to take my son to the doctor and he was late to school this morning. I parked in the handicap spot and hung the placard in the mirror. As I walked towards the front door of the school there was a gentleman sitting on a bench outside. I greeted him with a hello and he said "that spot is for handicap people". I explained that I had my placard that allows me to park there. He took one look at my son and said "he's not handicapped". I wanted to explain my son's condition to him but was feeling fairly annoyed. I just ended up telling him his condition and that he was in fact handicapped. He didn't seem convinced, it didn't even register with him. This is my first time encountering something like this. Part of me is posting this to rant but the other part has me wondering - if the kid's not in a wheel chair will they think we're parking illegally? That he's not legitimately handicapped? We don't park near the door just to get a free spot. He really needs this. As I left I was ready to rail into him if he made one more comment. Jerk. I was already having a bad morning and this just pushed me over the edge.

The man was wrong. The only comment you owe him after he says "He's not handicapped" is "His doctor and the state disagree with you." e.g. "You're an ass and you're wrong."

+1

[Anonymous]

Don't engage these people.

[Anonymous]

It annoys me also. My child can no longer walk. We scoop her up and carry her a lot for quick trips b/c it is easier to put my kid in a shopping cart then get out a walker. My child is 7. We always get dirty looks from people like we're not entitled to park there.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PPs. You don't owe anyone an explanation or justification. The timing of your post is kinda funny. October is Disability Awareness Month. I was interviewed just this morning for an article in our agency newsletter about parents of kids with disabilities. One of the things I brought up is how difficult it can sometimes be when your child's disability isn't readily apparent. Of course, it doesn't matter whether you're a kid or adult, if you have a placard, you are entitled to use it and owe anyone an explanation. I would have been tempted, though, to tell that asshole to call the police if wanted.

[Anonymous]

You don't need to answer questions, just say "Have a nice day!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PPs. You don't owe anyone an explanation or justification. The timing of your post is kinda funny. October is Disability Awareness Month. I was interviewed just this morning for an article in our agency newsletter about parents of kids with disabilities. One of the things I brought up is how difficult it can sometimes be when your child's disability isn't readily apparent. Of course, it doesn't matter whether you're a kid or adult, if you have a placard, you are entitled to use it and owe anyone an explanation. I would have been tempted, though, to tell that asshole to call the police if wanted.

Op here, thank you for telling me that. I think I've seen that guy before and I'm going to print out some information, just a one-pager. If he makes another comment tell him "Hey it's Disability Awareness Month"- have some information and educate yourself please!

And thank you to everyone else for the replies, it's nice to know I'm not the only one that experiences this!

[Anonymous]

I totally agree that it is not worth engaging with these type of people. And FWIW being in a wheelchair doesn't always stop them. Last summer we took my daughter who has severe disabilities and uses a wheelchair to her first movie. We were in a partially covered lot that had maybe 15 handicapped spots and we took the last one available. It also happened to be the farthest from the entrance to the retail/movie area. As I was unloading my daughter's chair, a car pulled alongside me and the passenger rudely asked if I knew I was in a handicapped spot. I indicated that I did and pointed to our hanging tag. They sped off in a huff. Then as we were walking through the breezeway to the theater, the passenger, who happened to be an old morbidly obese woman, was standing there smoking a cigarette with her walker. She then proceeded to make all sorts of rude comments about how able bodied people shouldn't be allowed to use handicapped spots and a bunch of stuff about the entitlement of younger generations. I just bit my tongue and walked on by (while pushing my daughter in her wheelchair surrounded by all sorts of medical equipment such as a feeding pump and suction machine). I'm still bitter that what should have been a happy family experience started off with so much negativity. And trust me all sorts of retorts including my daughter was born this way and didn't make a bunch of shitty lifestyle choices that led to her disability you old hag! Even now, I'm glad that I took the high road because there wasn't any good to come of engaging with such people. OP - I hope something great happens for you today to balance out a crappy start!

[Anonymous]

This makes me so angry. I'm sorry you had to deal with that OP. What an unpleasant person!

I like the PP's suggestion that you just say, "Have a nice day!" Good riddance.

[Anonymous]

"Not all disabilities are visible. I wish I/we didn't have to park here. Thank you for your concern." *Smile* then get on with your day.

(Unfortunately, I have to use this often, but it seems to disarm people.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Not all disabilities are visible. I wish I/we didn't have to park here. Thank you for your concern." *Smile* then get on with your day.

(Unfortunately, I have to use this often, but it seems to disarm people.)

I will use this next time - thank you. I also feel about to explode.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Not all disabilities are visible. I wish I/we didn't have to park here. Thank you for your concern." *Smile* then get on with your day.

(Unfortunately, I have to use this often, but it seems to disarm people.)

I will use this next time - thank you. I also feel about to explode.

PP- in all honesty, I still cry when I get back in the car or when I get home that night, but at least having that to say gets me through that moment. *hugs*