I had a sneaky feeling this would be a sensitive discussion..... as one that was town appointed for a Commission for Disability, we hear this often in our meetings about HC parking spots and who should/could and shouldn't/couldn't park or use them. It's an interesting point that those of us that do go through the process legitly with legit reasons (HC placards usually issued for walking distance issues, regardless of what inhibits the walking abilities) require dr's confirmation to the Registration of Motor vehicles for each state/location. yet, we know of those that tend to b.s. or by-pass their way through the system.
to me.... regardless of what legitly prohibits one from the ability to walk in a steady, lengthy gait.....if applicable, apply... and if not... tough it out and know that others in worse situations do need it more than others.
This one has always ruffled my feathers... I want them smoothed back out....
Phyl
Good points, Phyll.
We have a family friend that was born with spinal bifida and uses a motorized wheelchair to get around. She also drives a specially-equipped van with hand controls and a motorized ramp for ingress and egress. She has absolutely no choice but to seek out and use 'handicapped' parking spaces. Whenever I even
think about using a 'handicapped' space (when my wife isn't with me) I remember this woman who cannot walk and struggles to remain independent who
needs a parking space close to the door of wherever she's going. I don't. Remembering her and her situation makes it easy for me to pass up the 'handicapped' parking space, even though our car has 'handicapped' license plates on it.
As for passing judgment on those who don't
appear to be disabled but have the plate and use the 'handicapped' parking space, this is hardly an issue for me. I don't care if there are no handicapped spaces if I'm alone and if my wife is with me and there are no handicapped spaces available (this happens way too often), I simply drop her off by the door of whatever establishment we're going to, then, when we're leaving, I walk to the car, drive it over and pick her up at the door. I've always realized that one can be handicapped by breathing problems, heart problems or just pain - and none of those have any visible manifestations to the casual observer. I have some friends and relatives with these kinds of medical problems and most have the 'handicapped' tag. No problem.
However, more germane to this forum, I agree that if anyone feels they really need to be able to park close to buildings because of AN issues, they certainly should apply for the tag. I would - if I felt that I needed it. Fortunately, I don't.
In my state, you have to submit a 'special' registration form to the motor vehicle department and with it, a document from as state-licensed physician that describes your physical disability. The doctor has to attest you require a 'handicapped' plate, tag, sticker, whatever. There are temporary 'handicapped' tags for a temporary disability (i.e. broken leg) and permanent tags, as my wife has, for someone who is permanently disabled. The physician has to state that the person named on the application has a permanent physical disability. I believe that as long as a physician signs the form, the plate or temporary tag is given without any investigation. So, if you need it, go for it!
Jim 
