Handicap Parking
There are some things that just don't make sense to me. Tonight I had to go to Sam's to pickup some things for a party. On the way out I noticed a guy pull into one of those handicap parking spaces. I waited to see just how handicapped this guy really was. As I watched him limp into the store, I wondered, why do we go to such lengths to save this guy a few steps to the front door yet he is going to walk aisles and aisles once he's inside? No. He didn't use a wheelchair once inside either.Years ago as they were building a local shopping center. I noticed that they were setting aside what seemed like 10% of the spaces in the parking lot for handicap parking. "Why are they setting aside so many spaces? Are there really that many handicapped people?" I thought to myself. It turns out that those concerns were unfounded. Within a few years, the demand for handicap parking seemed to outstrip demand. Now, all of the spaces are filled around the clock.
I remember when I was a kid that there were not that many handicap spaces and the ones that were there, often went unused. When they were used, they were used by people who really needed them, people who were bound to wheelchairs or seriously disabled. Now it seems that all it takes to be eligible for one of those blue cards is to be morbidly obese or have a limp.
I have this idea that one day instead of a few handicap parking places being at the front, all of the spaces will be handicap and there will be a hierarchy of parking based on just how disabled a person is. Wheel-chaired people in the front with those wide berths, pregnant women in the back and various levels of obesity and joint pain sufferers in between. We could even color code the permits to the spaces. Those who are able bodied will just have to park in the unmarked spaces toward the back. Of course the fact that the obese will be walking shorter distances to the store will just insure that they will get less and less exercise and thus grow more and more disabled. I guess that as time goes by, we'll all move up the parking hierarchy until one day we'll all get a great place to park. I just hope I live long enough and become disabled just enough to enjoy it.
posted by Joel Maners @ 4/04/2008 10:53:00 PM
9 Comments:
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Some handicaps are evident (such as missing body parts) some are not. Some lead to other handicaps and have a snowball effect; like bad knees that causes the sufferer to walk less that can lead to increased obesity. When such things as glands and metabolisms are off there may be outward signs such as in the case of hyper or hypo thyroidism (the persons who suffer from these conditions may be extremely skinny or heavy (through no fault of their own.). often a person who is suffering simply pushes through the pain and does not appear to be handicapped. We love to pass judgments, I have done the same. Sometimes people do abuse there ‘handicapped status’. I never want to take the space that a handicapped person needs to be independent. With advances in wheelchairs and all the wounded vets coming home there is a need for understanding and yes there are some ‘handicapped’ people who need help from other handicapped people. Every person is or will be at some time handicapped and we will all get old if we are fortunate enough to live that long. Our hearts and muscles and even our minds will get tired easier and we will need to help and be helped. That is what charity is all about is it not?
The truth is we are all handicapped spiritually and we have an advocate who will not miss judge us.
If you have time and you are able park towards the back with your young healthy friends and take a walk as you talk about life and give thanks for you good health.
Sorry, I felt badly. :(
Joel, I understand because I have felt that way. Until my 30 yr old daughter had to have steel rods put in her leg. Sure her handicap was temporary, but you would not believe the looks she got, especially when using one of the motorized carts at Wal-Mart. She finally had to keep her crutches in the basket just so people wouldn't glare at her or even say rude things. Believe me she would much rather have been walking! I can't imagine what young people with arthritis must go thru. Or someone with acute asthma. Sometimes we just need to think a little longer before we "pass judgement". I could go on and on, but I think you catch the idea. Thanks for your blog. I believe after this you are re-thinking your ideas. In Christ
Joel, You are right on I agree 100%. It is unreal the way we do things in this society. I have one for you on my next post, here is a sneak peek....Why do we have braille on a drive up ATM machine??
Peace.
Alright, I still found your post amusing. And I trust that you meant no ill will. I think you truly did reveal human nature. I am sure there are handicap people out there that are judged unfairly. At the same time, there are others out there that abuse those spaces, like people who have those tags because of handicapped family members and use them for themselves just to find a good parking space even when their handicapped family member isn't with them. I have seen people park in those spots and then energetically gait into the store. It does make you wonder WHY can't you park and walk, but you can walk around a store with seemingly no problem, or park at a handicap space at the zoo and then roam around the zoo without a wheelchair or walker or cane, etc. I think it was just an amusingly human anecdote.
Joel and others, Seriously, I’m sorry I was so judgmental. I have seen a lot of abuses and it takes resources away from those who are in true need. It is immoral and criminal to take a place that has been set aside for those in need. We should all take care of ourselves and do what we can to stay healthy and fit.
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There are a couple of doctors in this town that will fill out your disability forms for little money down. I'm not kidding.
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