Community Chat

[Jordan2]

My mother is elderly, she is 90 and has a handicap placard I hang on my rearview mirror. She walks with a walker and can't walk far without growing tired. I never take the placard with me when I am alone, I am able bodied and can walk. That being said, you can't pass judgement on someone by looking at them. Their disability may not be outwardly visible, they may have internal issues such as difficulty breathing that isn't noticeable.

[SahmIam]

It never ceases to amaze me how laws can differ from state to state and even from county to county within that same state.

My youngest son has both legs in casts (knee down) from a sport injury a few weeks ago. He must put no weight on either leg and therefore is not only has these casts, he is also in a wheelchair. You would not believe the forms I had to fill out and have the doctor fill out in order for him to return to school; as I recall, there were 15.

To get him from the car into his chair, you must open the passenger door all the way out so the wheelchair can be placed in a specific position and he can use his arms to lift himself from car to chair. Reverse it to get him back into the car. Traditional parking spaces do not work for this, so, I went to the DVM to request a handicap hanging card for when I take him to school, the doctors or any function he is attending. 

It was DENIED. Why? Because it's temporary and he'll get better. I kid you not, that was EXACTLY what the representative told me. I got on the phone and starting climbing the hierarchy of the DVM in my county/state and it was the same answer every time. It IS the policy to not give a temporary card to someone who does not have a chronic medical need. 

And so, I seek out the spots at the end of rows and park accordingly. It stinks but there it is.

As for towing and fining, asap? Agree 100%. If you have the card or plate, use the spot. If you don't, park elsewhere.

[CatsyCline]

@SahmIam   ask the doctor to request the temp placard. 

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@SahmIam wrote:

It never ceases to amaze me how laws can differ from state to state and even from county to county within that same state.

My youngest son has both legs in casts (knee down) from a sport injury a few weeks ago. He must put no weight on either leg and therefore is not only has these casts, he is also in a wheelchair. You would not believe the forms I had to fill out and have the doctor fill out in order for him to return to school; as I recall, there were 15.

To get him from the car into his chair, you must open the passenger door all the way out so the wheelchair can be placed in a specific position and he can use his arms to lift himself from car to chair. Reverse it to get him back into the car. Traditional parking spaces do not work for this, so, I went to the DVM to request a handicap hanging card for when I take him to school, the doctors or any function he is attending. 

It was DENIED. Why? Because it's temporary and he'll get better. I kid you not, that was EXACTLY what the representative told me. I got on the phone and starting climbing the hierarchy of the DVM in my county/state and it was the same answer every time. It IS the policy to not give a temporary card to someone who does not have a chronic medical need. 

And so, I seek out the spots at the end of rows and park accordingly. It stinks but there it is.

As for towing and fining, asap? Agree 100%. If you have the card or plate, use the spot. If you don't, park elsewhere.

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[SahmIam]

@CatsyCline  I did. There's an area he needed to fill out. It was denied due to the reasons I mentioned.

The only reason we requested it was due to the wheelchair needing room to fit. If he was on crutches, we wouldn't have because it isn't necessary.In the end, we all think it's because it was too easy to get one. As usual, the cheaters ruin it for everyone else.

[Scorpio1971]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Scorpio1971   Since I seldom have a passenger in my car, I have semi-permanently clipped the placard to the lowered sun visor on the passenger side of my car.  That way I don't have to remember to display it.

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@Kachina624

The placard regulations for my state that came in the mail with it indicate that it is to be affixed to the rear view mirror where it attaches to the window with the identifying info facing forward, and the instructions specifically state that we must remove it while driving.  So now I try to remember to put it on top of my purse or sticking out of my open purse so when I get out I will see it, but sometimes I still slip up & forget that too when I've got things on my mind.  At least I haven't gotten another costly ticket! 

[pigletsmom]

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@Helen852 wrote:

I have a very good friend who has to use handicap parking. She should have a permanent plate, but refuses to.  She has a walker she keeps in the trunk of her car, which I get out for her when we get somewhere.  The problem though isn't other people, it's my friend.  She will park within the painted lines where you're supposed to leave room for vehicles in order for the wheelchair accessible vehicles to discharge their people.  I tell her all the time about it and she doesn't care.  Sometimes I can talk her into me dropping her off and parking if there arent' any handicapped spots available.   She gets very put out and upset if the spot isn't there for her.  Twice she has run me over with her scooter in the store and didn't a few times didn't realize I was having problems getting her walker out of the back of her SUV and closed the lift gate on my head.  

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OMG @Helen852 somehow this story made me burst out laughing. Probably because I'm sure my mother has plowed a ew people over with her scooter in the grocery store. And then trying to close the lift gate on you! I give you credit for even getting into a car with this lady! And parking on the painted lines!

I feel like all you could do is laugh to put up with this situation.

[alarmclock]

I think people are jerks.  Calling the police is the only thing you can do and if they do not take action, call a local news channel.

They will follow up on what you are claiming and they will get to the bottom of it.  I will bet the offender has a stack of unpaid tickets too.

[jannabelle1]

People who don't have a disability, but choose to park in a handicap spot are not only rude, but they have no clue how important those close spots are to people who really need them. My DH is one of those people - we have a handicap license plate, and generally can find a spot except at Walmart. All of the spots go quickly, but thankfully by others who are entitled to park there. For on-street parking violations, there really needs to be more towing for people who don't care if they flaunt the laws.

[pattypeep]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@dex.  People with temporary disabilities like broken legs or recovering from surgery aren't eligible for regular handicap parking permits.  There may be provisions for temporary permits.

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@Kachina624 I received a handicap permit and placard due to my broken leg. It is good through 12/31. It's really easy to apply for one and it has been a lifesaver for me.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@dex.  People with temporary disabilities like broken legs or recovering from surgery aren't eligible for regular handicap parking permits.  There may be provisions for temporary permits.

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Depends on the State.  In Ohio they are the same with a shorter expiration date.