Your Convenience and Excuses are Not Worth The Life of My Child
by My five-year-old daughter, Kaitlynn is handicapped. Her life is confined to a wheelchair and her medical needs are extensive. She thoroughly enjoys our weekly trips to the Columbia, Mississippi Dirt Cheap and Wal-Mart. Although she can not “talk,” she vibrantly squeals with delight as we turn into the Town Square parking lot. As one might imagine, getting out and about is cumbersome and physically trying for me, but seeing the enjoyment on Kaitlynn’s face is well worth it.
That said, what isn’t worth it is risking her life.
It never fails that I pull into the Dirt Cheap parking lot to find both handicapped parking spaces and the blue line “no parking” area in between the two parking spaces occupied by at least one vehicle without a handicapped parking permit/tag. I have called the Marion County Police Dept. dozens of times over the past 3 years to report the problem. I have been told everything from -“go inside the store and ask the store to ask the violator to move” …. “an officer is on the way”……“all officers are busy.” Not once has an officer actually showed up, much less ticketed the violators. I have given up on the police enforcing the law. I do wonder if they might show up for someone reporting their car vandalized?
Violators may look at the handicapped parking spot and those empty blue lines as a clear shot to the door on a rainy day or a pardon from a long walk from the back of the parking lot. Others may justify the violation with excuses like, “I’m only going to be a minute” or “if the person is handicapped, then they should stay home.”
If you think you get wet, imagine how wet my daughter and I wet after lugging an 80lb wheelchair out of the trunk, strapping her in, and pushing her to the door! A long walk for you is an obstacle course of danger for a person in a wheelchair, as larger vehicles backing out can not see a wheelchair behind them. Parking in the blue lines may seem harmless to you, but those blue lines are not there just to look pretty. Handicapped vehicles with a lift can not let their lift out if you are parked in those blue lines. If someone parks aside me in a large vehicle, or just too close to my vehicle, I can not get my child back into the vehicle. I must trust some stranger to watch my daughter while I back out into the middle of the road to load her up, and then pray that no one runs us over in the middle of the road. You convenience and excuses are not worth my daughter’s life!
I realize that many will probably not care about this ongoing problem. It is not something you have ever experienced. It is not something you are willing to imagine experiencing, that would just make it too real. Therefore, many will dismiss it as a passive aggressive mother complaining about something trivial. But, I will remind that we are all just one accident or slap of nature away from finding ourselves in need of a handicapped parking space.
If you do not empathize with the plight of the handicapped, you might find merit in the money that handicapped parking tickets would contribute to the things you do care about. State and local budget deficits across the country are causing “cut backs.” Handicapped parking violation fines in Mississippi are $200.00 each.
If you want to make an impact on handicapped parking violations: call the police each and every time you see someone parked in handicapped parking that does not have a permit/tag, report the violation to the business that is responsible for the parking lot, make it a community project to report and document infractions, etc…
The MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, SEC. 27-19-56, Special license tags or plates; disabled persons; decals and windshield placards; renewal; enforcement of parking restrictions:
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Post Commentclay hurtubise
On May 31, 2010 at 5:58 am
Good points. Perhaps you should send this piece to the local paper.
Thanks,
Clay
justmyname
On May 31, 2010 at 7:21 am
i’m sorry for your daugter Jo
Athlyn Green
On May 31, 2010 at 7:24 am
Hi Joe,
I share your frustration. As a person who has one of these stickers in my car because walking is difficult and, at times, painful, I count on getting to a door without it costing me physically. I, too, have tried to find a space, only to see it taken by cars with no sticker.
I guess people without disabilities do not fully comprehend how much harder it can be for someone with limited strength or mobility.
Uma Shankari
On May 31, 2010 at 7:53 am
If it isn’t too much or it isn’t impolite to request — I have heard you mention Kaitlyn in your writings. If you had included a picture of you trying to get the child out of the car, it would have been nice. That aside, I empathize with your predicament. If we can’t help somebody, let’s atleast not be a bother to others – not to mention insensitivity towards a handicapped child.
Jimmy Shilaho
On May 31, 2010 at 9:22 am
Its very trying at times. We need to be a little more considerate to others.
Daniel
On May 31, 2010 at 10:34 am
Jo,
You’re talking about Mississippi, home of “traditional” “family values” “compassionate” “god-fearing” “Christian” “conservative” populace. What else would you expect?
Jamie Myles
On May 31, 2010 at 11:58 am
Hi Jo, Your right! those able bodied who feel they’re intitled to park in the handicapped spaces to the detriment of others who are actually disabled are rude and inconsiderate. Yes we all should take the time to report these violations so that maybe folks wouldn’t be so quick to disregard this parking code.
Chris Stonecipher
On May 31, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Jo,
We have a tag for our vehicles for Jessica. When she is not with my, I park somewhere else.
I have tried to get my friend in and out of his van. Even with an 8ft reach, it still doesn’t seem to be enough, as I find myself trying to push him up and over the edge of the ramp just to get him on and off when car parks to close.
I have parked right behind someone in a handicap parking spot when they have no tag making them come look for me to move.
Bless you,
Chris
martie
On May 31, 2010 at 7:53 pm
My younger sister hated it when people parked in handicap parking and for a year went on a mission where you put notes on peoples cars telling them that being rude and ugly did not qualify as a handicap. I doubt if it did much good to these ill mannered people but, at least she let them know that someone thought they were out of line.
Karen Gross
On May 31, 2010 at 11:04 pm
I like the answer that Chris had – park right behind them. But then again that might backfire on you if the police come to give you a ticket. In my small town, I’ve seen people leave the side door of their vans open with the lift down, so no one parks right beside them.
I wonder if it would work if you would take the licence plate numbers down, and if the police don’t do anything, then get your local newspaper print the the licence plate numbers.
There probably isn’t any solution that would get rude and self centered people to change, unfortunately.
Mark Gordon Brown
On June 2, 2010 at 2:56 am
Even when I had a handicapped sticker because of my mother I would always drop her at the door and park elsewhere so that those who needed it could use the spot.
Netty net
On June 10, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Maybe if the people parking in handicap parking space see that you need maybe they move, Some asking them to please move might help.
leah
On June 14, 2010 at 3:19 pm
My daughter is almost 18 and in a wheelchair. Most people that don’t have to deal with the every day struggles of taking care of a disabled person can’t begin to imagine how much of a big deal it is when you can’t find a parking space that allows you the room to get that person in and out of the vehicle safely. I have had to park at the end of a parking lot and hope that no one will park next to me on more than one occasion. Going on outings is draining enough without the extra stress of dealing with these kinds of people. My other complaint is that just because something says it is handicapped accessible does not mean that it is wheelchair accessible.
amanda casey
On June 16, 2010 at 4:09 am
Great article! My dad has a handicapped sign as he is in so much pain walking. That is my dad’s pet peeve that healthy people park where he should be allowed to park.