Woman With No Legs Gets Scolded For Parking In A Disabled Spot, And Her Powerful Response Goes Viral
An amputee without legs turned to TikTok to scold a woman who had engaged with her for parking in a handicapped spot. On Jan. 13, 28-year-old Jessica Long, a decorated swimmer who won one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, slammed the nameless person for assuming that she had no right to the space even though she has a handicap parking permit.
“So, it just happened again,” she says in the now-viral TikTok. “I was parking my car — and I hope she sees this — this woman just has the nerve to look me up and down disgusted that I parked in the handicapped spot.”
And this experience isn’t a one-time thing. “I get two to four comments per week, just going about my normal routine and parking in handicap spaces. I’ve had people yell at me, leave notes on my windshield, knock on my car window, or wait for me to get out of my car just to tell me I can’t park there. My worst experience to date was an older couple that followed me around a grocery store and kept making comments because they wanted the handicap spot I took and said that I didn’t need it. I even explained I had two prosthetic legs and they told me I was a liar,” she explained in one of her Instagram posts.
After she had to defend herself for parking in a handicapped spot, Jessica Long made a TikTok to tell people to be careful when making assumptions
@jessicatatianalongTo the handicap police… be kind! 👏🏼 ##amputeelife ##fyp♬ orijinal ses – cagritaner
It all started when a woman pulled up next to Jessica’s car and gave her a disrespectful look, saying she shouldn’t be parking there
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
But Jessica is an amputee — she doesn’t have legs
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Jessica said her initial reaction when people shame her for parking in handicap spots is always hurt. “I get it, I don’t ‘look’ handicapped, but what does that even mean?! I’ve been through more surgeries than I can count. My whole life I’ve had to adapt. I rely on my handicap pass. Every day is different… some days my legs don’t hurt as bad, but for the most part, they cause me pain. So, when I park in a handicapped spot, I actually need it. There are some people who will abuse handicap parking, but mostly I believe people need it.”
The woman whose video already has 4.2 million views was born with a birth defect called fibular hemimelia
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
650K people follow Jessica on TikTok and 57,000 on Instagram. It’s undeniable that she’s making an impact helping to reshape the way society sees disabled people. “I think people are afraid to ask questions because society says it’s rude, but a lot of times that translates to shame around the topic of disabilities,” she said. “I absolutely love sharing my story and journey with the world. I hope to educate how amputees use their prosthetic legs. We make it look easy and it’s a natural part of our everyday lives, but it’s also hard and can be painful.”
“I was missing my fibula bones and several other bones in my lower legs,” she told BuzzFeed. “I did have a little foot with three toes on each leg”
View this post on Instagram
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
“My adoptive parents had those amputated when I was 18 months old so I could be fitted with prosthetic legs and learn to walk”
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Jessica is a great swimmer: she’s a 13-time Paralympic champion!
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
She began swimming in her grandparents’ pool and joined her first competitive team at age 10
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
At age 12, she became the youngest member of the US Paralympics team, winning 3 gold medals during her debut at the Athens 2004 Games
Image credits: jessicatatianalong
Having achieved so much, Jessica loves being an inspiration, but doesn’t want to be treated as “other.”
She said, “If I can do it with the challenges I face, you can too. What I don’t like is people commenting how ‘inspiring’ I am doing normal daily tasks like grocery shopping, getting coffee, or taking a walk. THAT is not inspiring. People can be inspired by my work ethic, career, healthy lifestyle, or positive attitude, but not me living my normal life.”
Here’s what people said after watching her viral TikTok
That's not the half of it. I have handicapped placards because I have two fractured vertebrae in my back that makes it painful to walk long distances. I also am stuck with using scooters in the stores to get from place to place. I get dirty looks all the time because people think I'm not old enough or not visibly crippled enough to warrant cards. I got news for people...those placards aren't handed out like candy at the DMV. You need a doctor willing to sign off on it to get approval. Don't judge. You're not a doctor and you have no idea the pain or challenges another person is enduring.
@gyro Pilot. Hey, not to be rude or anything, but to give you an idea on how hard it is to get those cards, my brother has down syndrome. He also had cancer (ALL) for five years and he is still recovering. On top of that, the meds weakened him so much that he could barely walk. Now, he LOOKS healthy, but he is still healing for that! And we STILL dont get a pass.
Load More Replies...
At the same time, many people actually park in handicap spots without needing them.
Yup! Seen it way too often. To the point where in my state you can no longer get one to use with/for people in your care without certain circumstances. Like a parent can get one for a disabled child or a spouse for their sig other but thats about it. It didnt seem like a big deal until i took over my grandmother's care full time. Couldnt get 1 for her, for my car even though she didnt drive anymore. Nothing scarier, at least for me, than having to leave an 87yr old woman w/ a healing broken hip & a walker in front of a building while i park in a spot & meet her to take her to a dr's appt. I couldn't park closer, she couldn't make the walk. My only other option was to use fire lanes to walk her inside while hoping i didnt get a ticket before i made it back out to actually park...
Load More Replies...
As a fairly young disabled person, I totally understand this feeling. I used to try and go to the gym to go swimming and packed in a disabled space, put my disabled badge out and got out the car, a man comes up to me, loudly and rudely told me that I can't park there. When I said I am disabled he replied where is your disabled badge, I pointed it out on my dashboard and he just walked off. People need to learn to admit when they are wrong and apologise.
I've had a blue badge (UK equivalent) since I was 26 because I'm a full time wheelchair user and have had so many instances of people deciding I don't look disabled when I pull into a spot, I've even had to phone the police for one violent guy!
Seriously?!? What kind of moron gets violent with anyone who has a blue badge? I got snippy with one woman, not because she was parking in handicapped with a placard, but because she double parked in the handicapped zone. Don't take a space away from another disabled person.
Load More Replies...
Just look in their car for a disabled badge. If there isn't one maybe say politely "Sorry, i don't want you getting in trouble but you forgot to display your badge" If the reply is "F*** Off!" they're probably not disabled.
Once I did forget to display my badge so I'd be very grateful if someone kindly said this. I may not always be in the same car so I can't just leave it in out and ready.
Load More Replies...
So, Michael McIntyre did a bit about what people who police disabled spots are "expecting" to see when someone pulls in. Basically, the car is parked, the driver's side door opens and a person face plants into the pavement. Anything less and they shouldn't be using the spot! (/sarcasm, even though it should be obvious to anyone with half a brain cell). Personally, I think this comes from a misplaced feeling of envy - why does this person, who is younger/thinner/happier(?) than me get "better/more special" treatment than me? It's almost a twisted form of ableism, and it needs to stop. If the person has a blue badge/sticker/placard, they have been given permission to park there. They do not need some random bint's permission as well!
I can feel fine, walk normally, even have a bit of pep in my step, but five minutes later be in so much pain I can barely walk. I used to feel bad about using my placard when I felt ok (it took me >15 years to even request one), in part because I never want to take a spot from someone else who might need it, but also because I didn't want to be judged by strangers who think I'm faking. Now I accept that it's something I need, and I've stopped worrying about the opinions of people who don't know anything about me.
Load More Replies...
I've said it before and I'll say it again - there are so many invisible illnesses and disabilities - please - if you ever see someone using the handicapped space in public transport or in a parking lot, don't come for them, no matter how much they look like they don't need it (because they seem able-bodied, they're young, etc.). Most likely they have reasons for using those and shouldn't be questioned that. With parking, they have the card/sticker and that should be enough (most people don't have those for public transport, just let those be). I know some people abuse this system but by trying to fight them you're only hurting the folks who need those aids. Let's be kind.
I was absolutely mortified when a school friend (now a prominent SJW) drove right into a handicap parking spot and the put out a disabled pass borrowed from her mother. Totally unnecessary. She ran in for her errand, and my embarrassment was such that I wouldn't sit in the car to wait.
Load More Replies...
The placard belongs to the handicapped person, not necessarily to the driver. I know that this privilege is abused. To those of us who have the handicapped license plates, many people don't bother to check and just assume you're breaking the law because they don't see something hanging from your mirror. Also I get crap all the time because I have an inflammatory autoimmune disease and cannot walk far, and I'm also about 50 lbs overweight. My disease was not caused by my weight but some people assume that I'm just fat and lazy and give me grief for it. Face it, people can be awful.
I had one for a while. I can't drive because I have epilepsy. I would have my husband park in handicapped parking on days I felt wrong. With 5 different types of seizures, I was able to know when some days could be bad. In my 30's at that time, we would often get stares and rude comments. Not all disabilities are visible and no one will ever understand until they experience it.
Both of my arms were amputated, last year. I am still getting used to my new bionic ones. I'm thinking of 3D printing a fun thing for my arms. (using my bionics, of course) -Ashes' human, Kizzie
Oof, that's rough! Best of luck with your rehab & adapting to your new bionic status. How about inventing a prosthetic arm that will automatically stroke the cat for you if you're sleeping/busy?
Load More Replies...
I told one of these people that it's a miracle that God gave her the ability to look at a person and diagnose exactly what is wrong with them. They should set up a practice and put the doctors out of business! Just imagine no more test! She could look at them and treatment could begin. I've also offered to wait with them for the police to show up and verify that it is my permit. No one has wanted to take me up on it. Who are they to question my health issues.
We have experience from the other side in our family. My father once went to a grocery store when this huge expensive SUV parked right in fron of him on the handicap spot. The driver was young, with all rhose gold accesories like massive chain around neck, the radio in the car played really loud rap, so my father quickly asumed he was some rich lazy jerk just using the spot without right to do it. So he started scolding the man, don't think he was yelling or being rude, but he told him he shouldn't oark there etc. So the driver without a word opened the side doors of his car, took out a wheelchair and pushed himself in it. My father was so embarased! He promptly apologised to the man and I think he got his lesson, never done that again. Every time a see someone in the handicap spot who does not look 'handicaped enough" I remember this story and never jump to conclusion - it is not my busines anyway.
I had a hip replacement that gave me a placard for 3 months. I had the walker, then a cane and then I was good. That short window of time gave me a taste of what these people go through. Had one asshole threaten to kick my walker because I was "faking" not being able to walk without support. One of my Marines lost a leg in the Suck and told me about the crap he experienced. He wears shorts year round- even in the 10 degree winters so people can see he's got a prosthetic. He told me there were people in the VA wanting the uglier models because if it looked "too lifelike" they would attract the bullshit from these self-anointed handicapped spot police that they wouldn't get if they walked on a pipe. People can be such assholes and if you don't take it personally, it's pretty entertaining. Fortunately, the folks I know have good senses of humor about it. At least for now.
I broke my legs after an accident and did not need casts. I used a walker and then crutches while I relearned how to walk and finally "graduated" physical therapy". It was tough the first year because my knees would swell and you never realize how you take walking up stairs without thinking about it for granted. I hated using my placard because of the sneers and looks because I didn't look the "part". The most encouraging people were the wheelchair lifers who always told me to not let those people get me down or cause me physical pain.
When I had to use crutches for a month some years ago. Fortunatelly I was able to drive but one day I tried to park in a sport next to my home but an older man blocked me because "he was keeping the place for his son". I parked on the other side of the road (not that much if you can walk but too far if you're on crutches) and he started shouting at me "You know I am right". Needless to say that when I grabbed my crutches and started moving with them the guy went completely silent. I just told him: "You can't judge the others from what you see, can you?". This story stood with me. You really don't know what others are going through, so don't be an idiot.
People also don't seem to realize that the person they are yelling at may be the caregiver for a disabled person. I've been in this situation when I've been dropping off or picking up my elderly, disabled relative.
If there is a clearly visible placard, that should be the end of it. But for every legitimately disabled person that does not have a clearly visible disability, there are a 100 jerks that dont care and park anyway. For him, a 100$ fine is peanuts so why not park there, so you have to see the other side of the coin too...
There is a big issue with companies setting up their parking lots with the handicapped spaces away from the doors. They put the ramps on the end of the sidewalk. This is horrible for ambulatory people because now they have to hobble, crutch, or roll a greater distance instead of just putting the spaces at the front door.
Also people don't understand that you can be disabled and still driive a fancy expensive car 🙄
The looks I got years ago unfolding my crutches as I got off my motorbike could be amusing, especially if I'd had to park in disabled bay & stick blue badge to tank with magnets 😆
Load More Replies...
Fortunately, no one has hassled us about parking yet. I may hop out of my car rarin' to go, but I'm dragging after a 10 minute trip on those hard floors. I do have photos from my mris on my phone, and scars are there too. That placard is one reason I could go places, knowing I wouldn't have to try to dodge traffic before I even get to the door to get in!
This happens to me all the time too. I have a SCI. I don't have the plates. I use the placard too. I like when people assume I'm a jerk taking a handy spot. Especially when I slide open the van door and boom! Wheelchair, people! Check it!
I have a blue badge (UK) for my son. He is autistic and has extreme hyper mobility. He gets very tired after a short time when we are out and walking through car parks can raise his stress levels. He does not look disabled at all Thankfully we have not had any comments from anyone. The badge has been a godsend to us. However, how can someone accuse this lady of not being disabled enough to park in a disabled bay? Mind boggling.
My mom was disabled. She got a disabled license plate. We'd get the occasional dirty look because people would look for a placard and didn't see one. She started keeping a placard in her purse too
I had a friend without an arm and maaaaany people bullied him because of it. Once, when a dude, lets call him X, was bullying him, a basketball hit him from behind. he couldn't move his head for a week.
Unpopular opinion. The women respected handicapped park lots and actually spoke up when she thought an able bodied person was occupying a reserved space. The approach could have been better, that's for sure. But people like her help deter the real able bodied a-holes occupying handicapped parking space
I am jealous of her strength -I cannot do a single pushup. Some days I hurt so bad I want a handi cap privilege but I certainly don't take it. People have it way worse. And people would give me the same comments but unlike her I cannot show my reason.
I get called out all the time and the uk ones even have ur photo on it. I usually say " unlike you, disability isn't judgemental"
Heart issue and I dislocate by my pointing at things. People can be brutal
It's kinda like how some people will be mad at people with things like eds and disrespect them because they don't LOOK disabled
The only part I will disagree with is the Police do have a right to ask to ensure the person using the spot is the owner of that Blue Placard and not just a family member or friend wanting to have a closer spot. Now with that said, once it's apparent that you are indeed handicapped either visual means or your license is the person on the card. Then it should be "Ok, thank you and have a nice day and walk away". As far as others, no it's none of their dang business.
So many lazy, intitled creeps and sorry excuses take these handicapped parking places, that the truly needy often can't find one!
Whats the problem with just asking politely or take a peek if they have a card? -"Ehm, you know thats a parking spot for disabled people..?!" - "Yes, I am." - "Ah, okay, just hate it when other people block it. Have a nice day." I mean the basic intention is good. But those agressive people just seem to be angry someone not disabled could pick the spot when they didnt -.- But if people think someone has to look "disabled", when he or she ist, they are probably too narrowminded to reflect that anyway.
Can we be mad at the people that aren't handicapped and park there? They make it bad for the real handicapped people like you, and for others trying to stick up for handicapped people.
Can we be mad at the beanheads that park in handicapped because they are lazy or whatever. They are making it bad for handicapped people, and the people that try to stick up about handicapped people.
In the UK we can use a disabled nade in our car for our passengers - it doesn't have to be the driver. My mum has had several strokes which culminating a triple heart bypass. As a result, she has no balance, cannot walk for long & certainly can't drive. We have a disabled badge that we use ONLY when she's in the car. You shoulder the looks I get from elderly folk, thinking I'm taking the piss parking in a disabled bay. Until I open the boot & get mum's walking frame out. Stop being so judgy. A-holes!!!
I have an invisible disability, multiple different things actually. I get very angry when I see people abusing disabled parking bays, especially when they say they're just going in for a few minutes. I once parked my mobility scooter behind a car using a disabled parking bay that he was not entitled to (no badge, I checked) because he said he was just going in for a few minutes. He was gone for 45 minutes and he was absolutely enraged because he couldn't leave without ramming his car into my mobility scootert. I was waiting for the parking attendant to give him a fine. He was a solicitor and this was not his first offense.
"She kind of just drove off." Didn't even have the decency to admit she was in the wrong and apologize. SMH.
While this lady doesn't sound very nice, in a way she's defending your rights. If doing it wrong.
If you've got the placard I say nothing. If you don't I might make a subtitle polite comment about forgetting to hang it up, don't want a ticket. If they ignore or get rude, state clearly they don't have one, I stop being nice
There is nothing wrong with people sticking up for handicapped people. If you suspect someone is parking in the handicapped spot without authorization because you don't see a placard, go tell the store and let them deal with it. If you do see a placard/card/whatever, just leave that person be, as everyone else is saying here. I have a sister who has Lyme (chronic, incurable for decades) and multiple sclerorsis. She is in very bad shape, and she can't even get a handicapped sticker to park close to the store. As others have said, it's not easy getting them.
People assume so much these days. We are being taught to judge people on appearances, gender , race. We open our mouths and make comments without even knowing the person.
This is definitely something we need to bring to attention. But that young woman's lie about having terminal cancer isn't funny. It shouldn't have been included. She did what people accused her of. The truth is on her side--why lie? Just to embarras someone? And her mom is bragging about it. Gross.
No one has given me grief (yet), but if they do I plan to say "Well, you don't look like an -- oh, wait. You do. Never mind."
If you've just got out of the drivers seat when accosted, might i recommend you look slightly to one side of their general direction, smile sweetly, say "sorry sir/madam," (whichever of those they are not), "I'm actually registered blind." Then go on with your day.
Load More Replies...
I would have waited for the person to exit their car before confronting. Most people who abuse handicap parking will ignore or be abusive. That's when one blocks in their vehicle and calls police. Here in Denver, it's a huge fine. I used to volunteer moving equipment for a wheelchair rugby team. I know how incredibly fit people with handicaps can appear from outside their vehicle.
The point is, many disabilities are what's known as invisible disabilities. Whether the person is inside the car, outside the car, or appears to be walking unaided. It is very rude, unpleasant and frankly inappropriate to accost a stranger in the street and challenge them to describe their health issues to you. Perhaps they are in heart failure, or rushing to bathroom to empty a stoma, or any one of a million things, precisely none of which are any of your business.
Load More Replies...
I think that people who can walk any distance should, as it is better for you. My mother tried to get a disabled badge as she had great difficulty walking she needed a knee replacement and a hip on the other side. They wouldn't give her one as she said she could walk 100 yards. They didn't ask how long it would take her or how much pain she was in. I get really angry when people hop out of their cars and jog the few yards to the store. Yet officially they have a badge.
That one picture of her is stunning. She is beyond inspirational and it's not about her disability- to me she radiates strength and determination and I can feel it in that one picture.
It's a mistake by someone being admittedly overly judgmental. But has nobody on here ever jumped to an incorrect conclusion?
I do feel though that if your literally an olympic athlete; maybe you don't need the spot?
She's a swimmer. No need for leg prosthetics while swimming, & even if there was, no weight bearing on them in the water. Walking in prosthetics is difficult to learn, requires many times the amount of energy to walk in them than for able bodied person. The prosthetics themselves can rub against the stump, pinch, generally cause discomfort and pain to the area. The slightly unnatural gait required to ambulate in prosthetics also causes frequent issues to the rest of the body, throwing spine out of alignment, muscle aches/tears,....do I need to continue, Mr I-do-feel with zero empathy & thought, or do you get the gist of what this woman & other amputees deal with on a daily basis?
Load More Replies... I don't get the reaction "My friend is deaf & got a blue badge --- you can't see their handicap". Well... I'm not sure why someone deaf would need an easy-access parking space? I similarly had a blue-badge holding colleague, blind in one eye; they couldn't drive so always their partner did... both of them otherwise 100% physically OK. Again not sure what missing depth vision has to do with needing a shorter walk to the shop.
I am guessing prosthethics hurt after a while, and 10 minutes saved can help a lot. Swimming is one thing, walking another. Unless we lived in Waterworld, then yeah, she is being rude
Load More Replies...
That's too complicated, and reduces the spots available for either side. It's not easy, but let's do our best to build a culture where we don't mind other people's businesses that much.
Load More Replies...
That's not the half of it. I have handicapped placards because I have two fractured vertebrae in my back that makes it painful to walk long distances. I also am stuck with using scooters in the stores to get from place to place. I get dirty looks all the time because people think I'm not old enough or not visibly crippled enough to warrant cards. I got news for people...those placards aren't handed out like candy at the DMV. You need a doctor willing to sign off on it to get approval. Don't judge. You're not a doctor and you have no idea the pain or challenges another person is enduring.
@gyro Pilot. Hey, not to be rude or anything, but to give you an idea on how hard it is to get those cards, my brother has down syndrome. He also had cancer (ALL) for five years and he is still recovering. On top of that, the meds weakened him so much that he could barely walk. Now, he LOOKS healthy, but he is still healing for that! And we STILL dont get a pass.
Load More Replies... At the same time, many people actually park in handicap spots without needing them.
Yup! Seen it way too often. To the point where in my state you can no longer get one to use with/for people in your care without certain circumstances. Like a parent can get one for a disabled child or a spouse for their sig other but thats about it. It didnt seem like a big deal until i took over my grandmother's care full time. Couldnt get 1 for her, for my car even though she didnt drive anymore. Nothing scarier, at least for me, than having to leave an 87yr old woman w/ a healing broken hip & a walker in front of a building while i park in a spot & meet her to take her to a dr's appt. I couldn't park closer, she couldn't make the walk. My only other option was to use fire lanes to walk her inside while hoping i didnt get a ticket before i made it back out to actually park...
Load More Replies... As a fairly young disabled person, I totally understand this feeling. I used to try and go to the gym to go swimming and packed in a disabled space, put my disabled badge out and got out the car, a man comes up to me, loudly and rudely told me that I can't park there. When I said I am disabled he replied where is your disabled badge, I pointed it out on my dashboard and he just walked off. People need to learn to admit when they are wrong and apologise.
I've had a blue badge (UK equivalent) since I was 26 because I'm a full time wheelchair user and have had so many instances of people deciding I don't look disabled when I pull into a spot, I've even had to phone the police for one violent guy!
Seriously?!? What kind of moron gets violent with anyone who has a blue badge? I got snippy with one woman, not because she was parking in handicapped with a placard, but because she double parked in the handicapped zone. Don't take a space away from another disabled person.
Load More Replies... Just look in their car for a disabled badge. If there isn't one maybe say politely "Sorry, i don't want you getting in trouble but you forgot to display your badge" If the reply is "F*** Off!" they're probably not disabled.
Once I did forget to display my badge so I'd be very grateful if someone kindly said this. I may not always be in the same car so I can't just leave it in out and ready.
Load More Replies... So, Michael McIntyre did a bit about what people who police disabled spots are "expecting" to see when someone pulls in. Basically, the car is parked, the driver's side door opens and a person face plants into the pavement. Anything less and they shouldn't be using the spot! (/sarcasm, even though it should be obvious to anyone with half a brain cell). Personally, I think this comes from a misplaced feeling of envy - why does this person, who is younger/thinner/happier(?) than me get "better/more special" treatment than me? It's almost a twisted form of ableism, and it needs to stop. If the person has a blue badge/sticker/placard, they have been given permission to park there. They do not need some random bint's permission as well!
I can feel fine, walk normally, even have a bit of pep in my step, but five minutes later be in so much pain I can barely walk. I used to feel bad about using my placard when I felt ok (it took me >15 years to even request one), in part because I never want to take a spot from someone else who might need it, but also because I didn't want to be judged by strangers who think I'm faking. Now I accept that it's something I need, and I've stopped worrying about the opinions of people who don't know anything about me.
Load More Replies... I've said it before and I'll say it again - there are so many invisible illnesses and disabilities - please - if you ever see someone using the handicapped space in public transport or in a parking lot, don't come for them, no matter how much they look like they don't need it (because they seem able-bodied, they're young, etc.). Most likely they have reasons for using those and shouldn't be questioned that. With parking, they have the card/sticker and that should be enough (most people don't have those for public transport, just let those be). I know some people abuse this system but by trying to fight them you're only hurting the folks who need those aids. Let's be kind.
I was absolutely mortified when a school friend (now a prominent SJW) drove right into a handicap parking spot and the put out a disabled pass borrowed from her mother. Totally unnecessary. She ran in for her errand, and my embarrassment was such that I wouldn't sit in the car to wait.
Load More Replies... The placard belongs to the handicapped person, not necessarily to the driver. I know that this privilege is abused. To those of us who have the handicapped license plates, many people don't bother to check and just assume you're breaking the law because they don't see something hanging from your mirror. Also I get crap all the time because I have an inflammatory autoimmune disease and cannot walk far, and I'm also about 50 lbs overweight. My disease was not caused by my weight but some people assume that I'm just fat and lazy and give me grief for it. Face it, people can be awful.
I had one for a while. I can't drive because I have epilepsy. I would have my husband park in handicapped parking on days I felt wrong. With 5 different types of seizures, I was able to know when some days could be bad. In my 30's at that time, we would often get stares and rude comments. Not all disabilities are visible and no one will ever understand until they experience it.
Both of my arms were amputated, last year. I am still getting used to my new bionic ones. I'm thinking of 3D printing a fun thing for my arms. (using my bionics, of course) -Ashes' human, Kizzie
Oof, that's rough! Best of luck with your rehab & adapting to your new bionic status. How about inventing a prosthetic arm that will automatically stroke the cat for you if you're sleeping/busy?
Load More Replies... I told one of these people that it's a miracle that God gave her the ability to look at a person and diagnose exactly what is wrong with them. They should set up a practice and put the doctors out of business! Just imagine no more test! She could look at them and treatment could begin. I've also offered to wait with them for the police to show up and verify that it is my permit. No one has wanted to take me up on it. Who are they to question my health issues.
We have experience from the other side in our family. My father once went to a grocery store when this huge expensive SUV parked right in fron of him on the handicap spot. The driver was young, with all rhose gold accesories like massive chain around neck, the radio in the car played really loud rap, so my father quickly asumed he was some rich lazy jerk just using the spot without right to do it. So he started scolding the man, don't think he was yelling or being rude, but he told him he shouldn't oark there etc. So the driver without a word opened the side doors of his car, took out a wheelchair and pushed himself in it. My father was so embarased! He promptly apologised to the man and I think he got his lesson, never done that again. Every time a see someone in the handicap spot who does not look 'handicaped enough" I remember this story and never jump to conclusion - it is not my busines anyway.
I had a hip replacement that gave me a placard for 3 months. I had the walker, then a cane and then I was good. That short window of time gave me a taste of what these people go through. Had one asshole threaten to kick my walker because I was "faking" not being able to walk without support. One of my Marines lost a leg in the Suck and told me about the crap he experienced. He wears shorts year round- even in the 10 degree winters so people can see he's got a prosthetic. He told me there were people in the VA wanting the uglier models because if it looked "too lifelike" they would attract the bullshit from these self-anointed handicapped spot police that they wouldn't get if they walked on a pipe. People can be such assholes and if you don't take it personally, it's pretty entertaining. Fortunately, the folks I know have good senses of humor about it. At least for now.
I broke my legs after an accident and did not need casts. I used a walker and then crutches while I relearned how to walk and finally "graduated" physical therapy". It was tough the first year because my knees would swell and you never realize how you take walking up stairs without thinking about it for granted. I hated using my placard because of the sneers and looks because I didn't look the "part". The most encouraging people were the wheelchair lifers who always told me to not let those people get me down or cause me physical pain.
When I had to use crutches for a month some years ago. Fortunatelly I was able to drive but one day I tried to park in a sport next to my home but an older man blocked me because "he was keeping the place for his son". I parked on the other side of the road (not that much if you can walk but too far if you're on crutches) and he started shouting at me "You know I am right". Needless to say that when I grabbed my crutches and started moving with them the guy went completely silent. I just told him: "You can't judge the others from what you see, can you?". This story stood with me. You really don't know what others are going through, so don't be an idiot.
People also don't seem to realize that the person they are yelling at may be the caregiver for a disabled person. I've been in this situation when I've been dropping off or picking up my elderly, disabled relative.
If there is a clearly visible placard, that should be the end of it. But for every legitimately disabled person that does not have a clearly visible disability, there are a 100 jerks that dont care and park anyway. For him, a 100$ fine is peanuts so why not park there, so you have to see the other side of the coin too...
There is a big issue with companies setting up their parking lots with the handicapped spaces away from the doors. They put the ramps on the end of the sidewalk. This is horrible for ambulatory people because now they have to hobble, crutch, or roll a greater distance instead of just putting the spaces at the front door.
Also people don't understand that you can be disabled and still driive a fancy expensive car 🙄
The looks I got years ago unfolding my crutches as I got off my motorbike could be amusing, especially if I'd had to park in disabled bay & stick blue badge to tank with magnets 😆
Load More Replies... Fortunately, no one has hassled us about parking yet. I may hop out of my car rarin' to go, but I'm dragging after a 10 minute trip on those hard floors. I do have photos from my mris on my phone, and scars are there too. That placard is one reason I could go places, knowing I wouldn't have to try to dodge traffic before I even get to the door to get in!
This happens to me all the time too. I have a SCI. I don't have the plates. I use the placard too. I like when people assume I'm a jerk taking a handy spot. Especially when I slide open the van door and boom! Wheelchair, people! Check it!
I have a blue badge (UK) for my son. He is autistic and has extreme hyper mobility. He gets very tired after a short time when we are out and walking through car parks can raise his stress levels. He does not look disabled at all Thankfully we have not had any comments from anyone. The badge has been a godsend to us. However, how can someone accuse this lady of not being disabled enough to park in a disabled bay? Mind boggling.
My mom was disabled. She got a disabled license plate. We'd get the occasional dirty look because people would look for a placard and didn't see one. She started keeping a placard in her purse too
I had a friend without an arm and maaaaany people bullied him because of it. Once, when a dude, lets call him X, was bullying him, a basketball hit him from behind. he couldn't move his head for a week.
Unpopular opinion. The women respected handicapped park lots and actually spoke up when she thought an able bodied person was occupying a reserved space. The approach could have been better, that's for sure. But people like her help deter the real able bodied a-holes occupying handicapped parking space
I am jealous of her strength -I cannot do a single pushup. Some days I hurt so bad I want a handi cap privilege but I certainly don't take it. People have it way worse. And people would give me the same comments but unlike her I cannot show my reason.
I get called out all the time and the uk ones even have ur photo on it. I usually say " unlike you, disability isn't judgemental"
Heart issue and I dislocate by my pointing at things. People can be brutal
It's kinda like how some people will be mad at people with things like eds and disrespect them because they don't LOOK disabled
The only part I will disagree with is the Police do have a right to ask to ensure the person using the spot is the owner of that Blue Placard and not just a family member or friend wanting to have a closer spot. Now with that said, once it's apparent that you are indeed handicapped either visual means or your license is the person on the card. Then it should be "Ok, thank you and have a nice day and walk away". As far as others, no it's none of their dang business.
So many lazy, intitled creeps and sorry excuses take these handicapped parking places, that the truly needy often can't find one!
Whats the problem with just asking politely or take a peek if they have a card? -"Ehm, you know thats a parking spot for disabled people..?!" - "Yes, I am." - "Ah, okay, just hate it when other people block it. Have a nice day." I mean the basic intention is good. But those agressive people just seem to be angry someone not disabled could pick the spot when they didnt -.- But if people think someone has to look "disabled", when he or she ist, they are probably too narrowminded to reflect that anyway.
Can we be mad at the people that aren't handicapped and park there? They make it bad for the real handicapped people like you, and for others trying to stick up for handicapped people.
Can we be mad at the beanheads that park in handicapped because they are lazy or whatever. They are making it bad for handicapped people, and the people that try to stick up about handicapped people.
In the UK we can use a disabled nade in our car for our passengers - it doesn't have to be the driver. My mum has had several strokes which culminating a triple heart bypass. As a result, she has no balance, cannot walk for long & certainly can't drive. We have a disabled badge that we use ONLY when she's in the car. You shoulder the looks I get from elderly folk, thinking I'm taking the piss parking in a disabled bay. Until I open the boot & get mum's walking frame out. Stop being so judgy. A-holes!!!
I have an invisible disability, multiple different things actually. I get very angry when I see people abusing disabled parking bays, especially when they say they're just going in for a few minutes. I once parked my mobility scooter behind a car using a disabled parking bay that he was not entitled to (no badge, I checked) because he said he was just going in for a few minutes. He was gone for 45 minutes and he was absolutely enraged because he couldn't leave without ramming his car into my mobility scootert. I was waiting for the parking attendant to give him a fine. He was a solicitor and this was not his first offense.
"She kind of just drove off." Didn't even have the decency to admit she was in the wrong and apologize. SMH.
While this lady doesn't sound very nice, in a way she's defending your rights. If doing it wrong.
If you've got the placard I say nothing. If you don't I might make a subtitle polite comment about forgetting to hang it up, don't want a ticket. If they ignore or get rude, state clearly they don't have one, I stop being nice
There is nothing wrong with people sticking up for handicapped people. If you suspect someone is parking in the handicapped spot without authorization because you don't see a placard, go tell the store and let them deal with it. If you do see a placard/card/whatever, just leave that person be, as everyone else is saying here. I have a sister who has Lyme (chronic, incurable for decades) and multiple sclerorsis. She is in very bad shape, and she can't even get a handicapped sticker to park close to the store. As others have said, it's not easy getting them.
People assume so much these days. We are being taught to judge people on appearances, gender , race. We open our mouths and make comments without even knowing the person.
This is definitely something we need to bring to attention. But that young woman's lie about having terminal cancer isn't funny. It shouldn't have been included. She did what people accused her of. The truth is on her side--why lie? Just to embarras someone? And her mom is bragging about it. Gross.
No one has given me grief (yet), but if they do I plan to say "Well, you don't look like an -- oh, wait. You do. Never mind."
If you've just got out of the drivers seat when accosted, might i recommend you look slightly to one side of their general direction, smile sweetly, say "sorry sir/madam," (whichever of those they are not), "I'm actually registered blind." Then go on with your day.
Load More Replies... I would have waited for the person to exit their car before confronting. Most people who abuse handicap parking will ignore or be abusive. That's when one blocks in their vehicle and calls police. Here in Denver, it's a huge fine. I used to volunteer moving equipment for a wheelchair rugby team. I know how incredibly fit people with handicaps can appear from outside their vehicle.
The point is, many disabilities are what's known as invisible disabilities. Whether the person is inside the car, outside the car, or appears to be walking unaided. It is very rude, unpleasant and frankly inappropriate to accost a stranger in the street and challenge them to describe their health issues to you. Perhaps they are in heart failure, or rushing to bathroom to empty a stoma, or any one of a million things, precisely none of which are any of your business.
Load More Replies... I think that people who can walk any distance should, as it is better for you. My mother tried to get a disabled badge as she had great difficulty walking she needed a knee replacement and a hip on the other side. They wouldn't give her one as she said she could walk 100 yards. They didn't ask how long it would take her or how much pain she was in. I get really angry when people hop out of their cars and jog the few yards to the store. Yet officially they have a badge.
That one picture of her is stunning. She is beyond inspirational and it's not about her disability- to me she radiates strength and determination and I can feel it in that one picture.
It's a mistake by someone being admittedly overly judgmental. But has nobody on here ever jumped to an incorrect conclusion?
I do feel though that if your literally an olympic athlete; maybe you don't need the spot?
She's a swimmer. No need for leg prosthetics while swimming, & even if there was, no weight bearing on them in the water. Walking in prosthetics is difficult to learn, requires many times the amount of energy to walk in them than for able bodied person. The prosthetics themselves can rub against the stump, pinch, generally cause discomfort and pain to the area. The slightly unnatural gait required to ambulate in prosthetics also causes frequent issues to the rest of the body, throwing spine out of alignment, muscle aches/tears,....do I need to continue, Mr I-do-feel with zero empathy & thought, or do you get the gist of what this woman & other amputees deal with on a daily basis?
Load More Replies... I don't get the reaction "My friend is deaf & got a blue badge --- you can't see their handicap". Well... I'm not sure why someone deaf would need an easy-access parking space? I similarly had a blue-badge holding colleague, blind in one eye; they couldn't drive so always their partner did... both of them otherwise 100% physically OK. Again not sure what missing depth vision has to do with needing a shorter walk to the shop.
I am guessing prosthethics hurt after a while, and 10 minutes saved can help a lot. Swimming is one thing, walking another. Unless we lived in Waterworld, then yeah, she is being rude
Load More Replies... That's too complicated, and reduces the spots available for either side. It's not easy, but let's do our best to build a culture where we don't mind other people's businesses that much.
Load More Replies...
305
137