Handicap Parking Abusers: Part 2, Top 10 Excuses

Most people have witnessed people parking illegally in a handicap spot, and maybe have even wondered what their disability is? If you have a disabled placard/license plate, you probably have heard some of the excuses I have listed below.

If you have not yet read my blog titled, “Handicap Parking Abusers: Part 1, Excuses, Excuses, Excuses,” then you can see how I have lead up to part 2. First off, I would like to state that if I think someone is parked illegally, I don’t just rush over and rudely ask them what they are doing. I use a nice approach because I understand that people have hidden disabilities. I wait until they get out of the car because, like me, my disability is not visible until I get my wheelchair out. If I suspect someone could have a hidden disability and I don’t see a permit, I will just say, “Excuse me, but I think you forgot to hang up your handicap placard.” This is when I usually catch people, because if their response is, “I don’t have one,” then I will know they shouldn’t be parked there. I find that at this point I can say nothing or try to make a point, and remind them what they are doing is illegal.
Top ten excuses I have heard over the years:
1) My foot hurts!
2) I have a disability; I just forgot my handicap placard.
3) I used to have a disability.
4) I am running errands for my mom, and it is her disabled permit.
5) People that just give you the “blank stare.”
6) Or how about the “nothing answer,” because the person speeds away or ignores you.
7) The best one is just people who say, “I am sorry and won’t ever do it again!”
8) I didn’t see the sign.
9) I will only be here for a second.
10) There was nothing else open.

These are just a few of the excuses I have heard over the years. If you would like to share any with me I would love to hear them.

Tammy Wilber
~To no more excuses, from the handicap parking abusers~

People are always staring at me- Is it my disability or my good looks?

Have you ever noticed that when you are in a wheelchair, people just stop and stare? I always notice people staring at me when I am taking apart my wheelchair and putting it in my car. I also notice it too when I am out in public places. I don’t always notice the looks as much in public because they are looking down at me, and I don’t have eye contact with them, since I sit low in my wheelchair. When people do stare at me, in my head I make a joke that they are just staring because I am so good looking, but I know it is just curiosity. For me it is just a part of my life to put my wheelchair in and out of the car between 6-10 times a day, and when people stare, I do think what are they staring at? I try to be understanding about it because people don’t see someone taking apart a wheelchair and putting it in a car that often. It is probably interesting to watch, and it shows them people in wheelchairs do get out there and live life, just in a different way.

I always try to be nice to people when it comes to educating the public about disability issues, but I am only human and don’t want to be stared at all the time. I feel like I am putting on a show and when someone looks at me too long I feel like saying something to them. For example, “Take a picture, it will last longer!” Or, “Hey, you’ve been staring at me long enough do you want my phone number?”

I think that people with disabilities/wheelchair users can all relate to being stared at to some extent and that it truly can test our individual patience. I try very hard to be polite and just pretend I don’t know I am being stared at. Although, I am hoping one day if it is just my good looks, maybe I will get a date out of it.

To everyone that hates to be stared at here is my advice:
1) Just try to not acknowledge it is happening.
2) Try to be polite and remember patience.
3) If it does bother you- try not to get angry, just stare back at them for a minute.
4) Also, remember that it is mostly just human curiosity.

I can remember when I was first injured, it was hard to get used to people staring at me. I used to have really low self esteem about my body image and how I looked in a wheelchair. Fast forward 15 years later and I am okay when people stare, but it comes from many years of learning to be patient.

Tammy Wilber
~ To not Caring, about Staring ~.