Karen Starts Screaming At Couple Over ‘Illegal’ Handicap Parking, Refuses To See Reason
Interview With ExpertWe’re all familiar with road rage, but apparently, parking lot rage often presents itself too. For some reason, people tend to feel entitled to a spot that they had their eye on, even if someone else got there first.
One woman recently had an encounter with a furious Target customer who decided to harass her and her husband for simply having the parking spot that she wanted. Below, you’ll find the full story that was recently posted on the Mildly Infuriating subreddit, as well as a conversation with Mark Arnold, The Additional Needs Blogfather.
This woman left her husband waiting in the car while making a quick stop at Target
Image credits: Jakub Pabis / pexels (not the actual photo)
But when she came back outside, she was surprised to find another customer berating her spouse
Image credits: LightFieldStudios / envatoelements (not the actual photo)
Image credits: halfpoint / envatoelements (not the actual photo)
Image credits: youchosehowiact
“For many disabled people, accessible parking spots mean that they can access shops, public buildings and spaces, etc., which otherwise would be off-limits to them”
Image credits: J. Ott / flickr (not the actual photo)
To gain more insight on this topic, we reached out to Mark Arnold, also known as The Additional Needs Blogfather. Mark was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain why it’s so important for accessible parking to be available for those who need it.
“For many disabled people, accessible parking spots mean that they can access shops, public buildings and spaces, etc., which otherwise would be off-limits to them,” Mark says. “Even the short distance from the accessible parking spot can still pose a challenge, but trying to get from the other end of the car park would be impossible for many.”
“And, of course, it’s not just people with physical/mobility disabilities that need these, people with ‘hidden’ disabilities/differences such as some neurodivergent people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental health conditions, etc., need them too,” the father added.
“People often look at us harshly when we pull into an accessible parking space”
Image credits: c0ldgirl / flickr (not the actual photo)
While Mark says that accessible parking spaces do help, many lots still have room for improvement. “Disabled people often find that [accessible spots] are already full,” he noted. “Regularly, accessible parking spaces are used by people ‘just popping into the shop for a minute,’ or whose car is too big for a regular spot, or who just can’t park very well, or who simply don’t care, it’s all about them!”
“A disabled person often can’t use a regular parking bay, as there isn’t sufficient room for their wheelchair to be located next to their car door, or the distance to walk is too far. So an accessible space is a must, and it is deeply frustrating and debilitating when the accessible spaces are all used by people who shouldn’t be there,” Mark continued.
We were also curious if Mark had ever encountered difficult people when using an accessible parking space. “My son has a ‘blue badge’ allowing us to use an accessible parking space when he is with us in the car,” he explained. “People often look at us harshly when we pull into an accessible parking space. My son ‘doesn’t look disabled,’ although he has ‘hidden’ disabilities and health conditions that allow him to park there.”
“The attitude doesn’t always change even when we produce James’ blue badge, as these ‘unqualified experts’ still feel they know a disabled person when they see one,” the father continued. “I tend to ignore them, even if they say something, rather than inflame the situation which would then be traumatizing for my son.”
“We need to get back to seeing the good in people, understanding the needs of others, and putting other people first where their needs are greater”
Image credits: Mikhail Nilov / pexels (not the actual photo)
“But then, I’m a guy and can look after myself. It’s a different situation for a more vulnerable person, such as a disabled person on their own, or a single mom with a disabled child, who could easily become very intimidated or worse,” Mark added.
Finally, Mark shared that he’s noticed “a societal decline in kindness towards, and understanding of, others in recent years,” which he believes plays into the story here. “Everyone seems more selfish, more self righteous, an ‘expert’ on everything (just because they’ve read something on social media),” Mark says.
“We need to get back to seeing the good in people, understanding the needs of others, and putting other people first where their needs are greater. Parking in an accessible parking space when you are not entitled to should be as culturally unacceptable as drunk or drugged driving,” the father shared.
Readers shared their thoughts and similar stories of their own, and the OP joined in on the conversation
Others shared their support for the couple as well
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
You May Also Like
Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk
Do you think childless individuals should be expected to chip in for group babysitting costs during friend gatherings?
17 Y.O. Is Done Sharing Her Birthday With Her Late Twin, Parents Are Not Having It
Do you think the girl should be allowed to celebrate her birthday without the remembrance of her deceased twin?
I've gotten snarky looks when using my handicap parking placard. Nobody has outright accused me of illegally parking in the several years I've had it. I make sure to bring my cane, though should not have to! I guarantee that if anyone tries that on me, I'll make them regret it. Not all disabilities are obvious, and if you have the permit, you can park there!
People with real disabilities are usually the most respectful of Handicapped Parking. I had to recently get a tag for my disabled mom, and trying to find a spot sometimes at busy stores like Target and Walmart can be almost impossible sometimes. I’d never “cheat” by using the tag for myself so I can park closer. I have a feeling this woman wanted to steal this space without a tag, because I’m sure she has elaborate reasoning that tags are stupid and she has a corn on her big toe and is entitled to use that space for her legitimate disability.
Load More Replies...People need to understands that they aren’t the disability police . If you think someone is parked illegally call the proper authorities and let them deal with it.
I am disabled, so I have my own plaque, but before I got my plaque, my daughter, who is disabled with multiple surgeries, a missing leg has her own handicap plaque. This happened to us many many years ago in a mole over in California. My daughter and I wanted to go to the mall and there was this lady who parked her car in a handicap parking And she ran into the mall. We told her that we needed space and she said she didn’t care. I’ve got three kids in the car and they all have measles. We said OK. We called the cops. The cops came they talk to me and they talk to my daughter. They looked at my daughter and said yep You’re allowed to have that parking space waited for the mother to come out they gave her a ticket one is because she exposed her kids outside of her house with the measles too. She parked in a handicap. As my daughter and I trouble to look for another handicap parking, we had smiles on our faces. Where I live now I have my own handicap spot and it says reserve.
While traveling in Ireland with my friend who is disabled and has a plaque that she brought with her, we used it all the time and people were so accommodating and nice. In fact she didn't have to hike up to the Rock of Cashel, I was able to drive her to the top, drop her off and then parked. But I have seen a lot of this screaming BS here in the states.
Wait till you experience the fun of using a pram parking area when disabled isn’t available due to Xmas shopping etc 😂 the entitlement of mums with prams parking is apparently more worthy of disabled parking to them 😂
I go to my local Costco driving my disabled elderly father all the time, and while we have a parking placard for him, many times disabled spots are taken up by cars without the plates or placards which is annoying and costco does nothing when you complain. But as long as they have the placard, that means they had to submit to the govt medical info to get it, and I would never question the usage of it
I have a disabled placard. Sometimes I use it and sometimes I don't. It depends on what my condition that day is, bad or good. Luckily I don't need a wheelchair because the number of times I have drivers pull up and park in the striped area is mind boggling. Especially when they don't have the placard or plates, and even when they do., Those spaces are there for a REASON.
I think this particular species of angst traces directly back to elementary school. "She's cutting in line!"
I think we all wish you had had the time and energy to wait for the police. I would love to see her reaction when you ask if her comments could allow her to be arrested for “hate speech “!
Some people act like they just hand you the placard or plates. That's not how it works.
I have a wealth of health issues, but I can appear comfortably mobile (and I'm an obstinate mare), so I only use disabled bays on really *really* bad days. On almost every single occasion someone will start a rant at me. I just look them dead in the eye (with a hefty look of imsodonewiththisshit), sigh/huff as audibly loudly as possible and say "my entire spine is disintergrating and I'm not even 40. Can I go do my shopping now, or do you want to wait with me here until I collapse so I can prove it?" - that normally backs them down a fair bit!
There are many people who practice medicine without the degree or license. They do, however, patrol the parking lots for the spot that will allow them to be closest to the door and demand the car with the tag move or else...
So tired of hearing someone with atrocious behavior referred to as a Karen. Can't we come up with a new label?
Anatomy of a Karen: Karen's don't feel like they have any control over events in their own life, so they seek opportunities to prove they have power by manipulating people and the rules to abuse others. They choose their targets carefully, always looking for the disadvantaged. Despite a Karen's claims to contrary, it's not about what is fair or just; it's about power and control.
I was ready to take issue with this one until I read the whole thing. If there are insufficient disabled bays and the driver is not the one with the badge, then, if at all possible, they should consider letting their passenger out and parking in an ordinary space. Obviously if there is a wheelchair to unload, then that's not possible, but for many people they have the badge because they struggle to walk any distance. I had one irate lady gesticulate at me when I pulled into a disabled space before her. I simply held up my badge as I got it out to place it on the dash.
Read it again hon. You missed the part where the driver is also handicapped.
Load More Replies...You can find a woman's actions reprehensible without resorting to fantasizing about sexual violence.
Load More Replies...And how do you know he didn't have the right to though? Not all handicaps are visible?
Load More Replies...U know she says like 4 time's she's disabled too right also her husband is missing a leg he can't drive so even if she isn't disabled how is he supposed to get around?? I mean seriously use your brain just a teeny bit 👍
Load More Replies...The driver is also disabled. She says so and said she used her own placard, not her husband’s
Load More Replies...I've gotten snarky looks when using my handicap parking placard. Nobody has outright accused me of illegally parking in the several years I've had it. I make sure to bring my cane, though should not have to! I guarantee that if anyone tries that on me, I'll make them regret it. Not all disabilities are obvious, and if you have the permit, you can park there!
People with real disabilities are usually the most respectful of Handicapped Parking. I had to recently get a tag for my disabled mom, and trying to find a spot sometimes at busy stores like Target and Walmart can be almost impossible sometimes. I’d never “cheat” by using the tag for myself so I can park closer. I have a feeling this woman wanted to steal this space without a tag, because I’m sure she has elaborate reasoning that tags are stupid and she has a corn on her big toe and is entitled to use that space for her legitimate disability.
Load More Replies...People need to understands that they aren’t the disability police . If you think someone is parked illegally call the proper authorities and let them deal with it.
I am disabled, so I have my own plaque, but before I got my plaque, my daughter, who is disabled with multiple surgeries, a missing leg has her own handicap plaque. This happened to us many many years ago in a mole over in California. My daughter and I wanted to go to the mall and there was this lady who parked her car in a handicap parking And she ran into the mall. We told her that we needed space and she said she didn’t care. I’ve got three kids in the car and they all have measles. We said OK. We called the cops. The cops came they talk to me and they talk to my daughter. They looked at my daughter and said yep You’re allowed to have that parking space waited for the mother to come out they gave her a ticket one is because she exposed her kids outside of her house with the measles too. She parked in a handicap. As my daughter and I trouble to look for another handicap parking, we had smiles on our faces. Where I live now I have my own handicap spot and it says reserve.
While traveling in Ireland with my friend who is disabled and has a plaque that she brought with her, we used it all the time and people were so accommodating and nice. In fact she didn't have to hike up to the Rock of Cashel, I was able to drive her to the top, drop her off and then parked. But I have seen a lot of this screaming BS here in the states.
Wait till you experience the fun of using a pram parking area when disabled isn’t available due to Xmas shopping etc 😂 the entitlement of mums with prams parking is apparently more worthy of disabled parking to them 😂
I go to my local Costco driving my disabled elderly father all the time, and while we have a parking placard for him, many times disabled spots are taken up by cars without the plates or placards which is annoying and costco does nothing when you complain. But as long as they have the placard, that means they had to submit to the govt medical info to get it, and I would never question the usage of it
I have a disabled placard. Sometimes I use it and sometimes I don't. It depends on what my condition that day is, bad or good. Luckily I don't need a wheelchair because the number of times I have drivers pull up and park in the striped area is mind boggling. Especially when they don't have the placard or plates, and even when they do., Those spaces are there for a REASON.
I think this particular species of angst traces directly back to elementary school. "She's cutting in line!"
I think we all wish you had had the time and energy to wait for the police. I would love to see her reaction when you ask if her comments could allow her to be arrested for “hate speech “!
Some people act like they just hand you the placard or plates. That's not how it works.
I have a wealth of health issues, but I can appear comfortably mobile (and I'm an obstinate mare), so I only use disabled bays on really *really* bad days. On almost every single occasion someone will start a rant at me. I just look them dead in the eye (with a hefty look of imsodonewiththisshit), sigh/huff as audibly loudly as possible and say "my entire spine is disintergrating and I'm not even 40. Can I go do my shopping now, or do you want to wait with me here until I collapse so I can prove it?" - that normally backs them down a fair bit!
There are many people who practice medicine without the degree or license. They do, however, patrol the parking lots for the spot that will allow them to be closest to the door and demand the car with the tag move or else...
So tired of hearing someone with atrocious behavior referred to as a Karen. Can't we come up with a new label?
Anatomy of a Karen: Karen's don't feel like they have any control over events in their own life, so they seek opportunities to prove they have power by manipulating people and the rules to abuse others. They choose their targets carefully, always looking for the disadvantaged. Despite a Karen's claims to contrary, it's not about what is fair or just; it's about power and control.
I was ready to take issue with this one until I read the whole thing. If there are insufficient disabled bays and the driver is not the one with the badge, then, if at all possible, they should consider letting their passenger out and parking in an ordinary space. Obviously if there is a wheelchair to unload, then that's not possible, but for many people they have the badge because they struggle to walk any distance. I had one irate lady gesticulate at me when I pulled into a disabled space before her. I simply held up my badge as I got it out to place it on the dash.
Read it again hon. You missed the part where the driver is also handicapped.
Load More Replies...You can find a woman's actions reprehensible without resorting to fantasizing about sexual violence.
Load More Replies...And how do you know he didn't have the right to though? Not all handicaps are visible?
Load More Replies...U know she says like 4 time's she's disabled too right also her husband is missing a leg he can't drive so even if she isn't disabled how is he supposed to get around?? I mean seriously use your brain just a teeny bit 👍
Load More Replies...The driver is also disabled. She says so and said she used her own placard, not her husband’s
Load More Replies...
41
75