Living the stereotype

[vicarz]

I was just commenting the other day how when I think handicapped / disabled, I immediately picture some faker getting out of their SUV in a disabled spot with a temp tag hanging off their rear-view. Coming in to work today, I walked up behind a big black SUV with a tiny white diabled tag hanging from the rear few, parking in the wheelchair spot, and a big black girl walking on out. That was my friend, so you know I laid right into her.
"Now you know, those aint meant for the mentally handicapped, perhaps you forgot?"
Oh hey José, why don't you...
"What disability you got? Seriously, why you parking here? Aint nothing wrong with you. Well, other than (look)"
Shut up. I have a bad back. Really. It does this...
"Well I'm not a chiropractor, but bitchlemmetellyou, I got a prescription right now that'll fix your back right up. Get down off them damn heels. Done!
(we then discussed some EEO type stuff)

No seriously, that's really annoying. I hate hate hate hate people faking disabilities. I suspect that every time I see someone in the disabled spot that isn't in a wheelchair, old, or obviously moving slow. I think this even knowing I have some friends who have visually not obvious problems. It shames me that someone I consider a friend does something so triffling. I'm already pushing her back based on her shamefull behavior.

Comments

[sparklypoof.livejournal.com]

if she is overweight, perhaps she could work on losing some of those lbs and then her back wouldn't have so much weight to pull around. she can start by parking in the back of the lot, furthest from her destination, and walking.

[dashrippington.livejournal.com]

Have you seen the Penn & Teller show Bullshit on Showtime? (you can find it on youtube) they did an entire episode on Disabilities and those parking placards.

The really infuriating thing is that you can evidently get one if you cannot operate a calculator or cell phone. WTF????!?!??

Add to this that most disabled people want to be treated the same as everyone else... and then there are those that are disabled that want to be treated as special... just confuses the entire situation.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I can't get over how everyone drives real slow and looks for good parking spaces. At the gym.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I don't buy a lot of the P&T bullshit either, though I find them entertaining. I fall out when they rag on environmentalism and sound remakrably Limbaugh-like. They get quoted as science a lot when many of their truths are discredited. Sigh.

But the Post did a run-through of the fake disability parking thing a while ago. They followed people from their cars when they used disability parking stuff (which is free in DC) and one included a construction worker (who had a "bum knee"). Egads.

Anyone with $50 for a doctor, or $10 for a co-pay, can get a fake disability tag. Anyone. Oh, and you can lie about a relative and say you drive them to get a fake tag. I busted a coworker for that when his brother was the reason for the tag - but he didn't drive him to work. Ever.

In Arlington they kept disability parking but made everyone pay for it. 95% of the disabled appear to have disappeared from Arlington.

EEO always falls out with the "Treat everyone the same" idea where it doesn't mesh with the "Respect everyone's differences and treat them different based on their group status" "but be sensitive" "but treat everyone equally"...what a dance.

[dashrippington.livejournal.com]

I agree with your sentiments on the P&T thing. It's on TV... therefore it falls into the "Don't believe everything you see on TV" category.

(Although their treatment of the stupidity of building a 700 mile wall to seperate us from Mexico and keep those pesky "illegals" out... was HYSTERICAL. They hired 6 Mexican Nationals... had them build a 12' long section of wall... built exactly to the standards the government desire... and once complete, they were broken up into 3 teams of 2. Their goal... get to the other side of the wall. One group had to go over... one group had to go through and finally the last group had to go under. The longest that it took for any of the 3 groups to get to the other side was 3 minutes!!!) Sorry, that was off topic.

But I completely agree that it sucks that those that have legit reasons for having the placards can't use the spot because some dumbass lazzy turd has taken the spot because they can't operate a cell phone.

[sparklypoof.livejournal.com]

I have noticed this as well! WTD? I personally enjoy my pre-workout walk from 8 lanes away... :P

[sparklypoof.livejournal.com]

I liked their episode on the ADA, cuz really, it singles out disabled pplz vs. making them like everyone else. they get special treatment cuz they're disabled, vs. just parking where-ever cuz they're they're viewed as equal. and what REALLY kills me is the 4 handicap spaces in my apartment parking lot that are NEVER EVER OCCUPIED. EVER. and the only reason they're there is "just in case" someone w/a disability comes through and has a pass to park in our lot in the first place! I think if they wanna be treated the same as everyone, do away w/the handicap spaces, and let them be dropped off at the door and park further away, just like the rest of us.

it'd help cut down on the stupid bullshit reasons for people getting closer parking spaces cuz they're "handicapped" or "disabled" anyway. buncha lazy selfish people out there, thas all I gotta say. >_>

[also, I liked the episode you mentioned about the wall - O NOEZ THEY CAN CLIMB OVER IT AND UNDER IT AND THRU IT! IT IS WORTHLESS!!]

[bentrazor.livejournal.com]

That tends to be an invetiability anyhow, as the turning radius on my battleship is such that negotiating a normal parking is an exact science.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I'm ok with the spaces, though I think we a) make it too easy to abuse the process, b) don't hold people accountable or shame them for being so...shamefull, and c) we have too many spaces compared to the actual # of disabled. Access is really a big deal for some people with disabilities, and I'm all for access generally - but it does seem to lead to a lot of waste at the same time.

I have no problem with someone in a wheelchair, with a cane, or who genuinely has a hard time moving about getting a close in space. I also like the close in spaces for new moms etc.

The wall...well that gets weird. I find it funny how people get all indignant about "But it's illegal" yet don't mind breaking other laws. I mean the speed limit is a law, but it's a stupid one so we all break it.

[kattrags.livejournal.com]

I like to park in the "Reserved for expectant mothers" spots.

Talk about WTF.

I dare anyone to question me about it. Stork parking, my ass.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I'm all about the stork parking - why not?

[kelowna.livejournal.com]

Bitch should take a regular spot. Done and done.

[freja999.livejournal.com]

I was quite thankful for the stork parking when I was 8 months pregnant, 2 centimeters dilated and leaking fluid whilst managing an extra 28 lbs directly in my midsection ontop of my 105 lbs frame, carrying baggages of groceries with a back bent at 90 degrees and a toddler holding onto my pinky.

I double dog dare you to question that as a rationale for the "stork parking".

[freja999.livejournal.com]

Hehe, I can agree with those sentiments, but I've been on the other end as well. A week after having my second child, I was on campus when I was approached by a campus cop. Since I'm small, it wasn't obvious that I just had a baby. The cop asked me what sorta condition I had that would warrant a handicap placard (which had my name on it). I told him I have four stitches in my vagina that would prohibit me from walking a distance. He turned red and apologized.

I've also had multiple surgeries on my hip and knee and look forward to more. Currently I don't have a lateral medial meniscus as that was removed in my second ACL replacement. I appeared normal, since I try to walk without a limp to help the balance and flexibility, but underneath I've got screws, pins, grafts, scars and bone chips. I can't do martial arts the same way either. It all sucks, but at least I can walk. I ride the short bus to school.

[cweaselle.livejournal.com]

While I could probably get a handicapped for my leg problem I don't do it. There are many people who need it more. If someone can where heels then they don't have a problem bad enough to need one. That is the government's fault as much as anyone's. They need to be more careful who they give it to.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Well the government didn't want that much control, and people fear the government having too much control. The way the tried to keep it fair was to require doctors to write notes, relying on the ethics of doctors. Turns out customers are triffling and a lot of doctors are $50 whores - who knew.

[kattrags.livejournal.com]

I can only wonder why you would be out grocery shopping whilst dilated, leaking fluid, etc.

Next time, you can call me and I'll take care of your shopping for you.

[cweaselle.livejournal.com]

I know these things about doctors. I have one that likes to lie so I'm used to not trusting doctors. I'm not sure $50 would be enough for me to let people have handicap even if I would do that sort of thing.

if i didn't love you guys... i'd be pissed

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

hmmm... this thread borders on infuriating for me in some ways - you see i have a disability (severe arthritis in my hip from a fractured socket and resulting bone spurs) and live with pain every day, but few people know it

i refuse to let the pain limit me as often as possible...

that said, the difference between parking in a handicap spot close to the mall/store/whatever and parking way out in lot f row 38 is huge on even a light pain day - if i can park close i can get groceries or make it thru the mall without wanting to curl up in a ball and cry, and if handicap spaces didn't exist there'd be days when a simple trip to the store would be out of the question, with or without a cane - and that is why those spaces are there and why i use them even though i may appear healthy (smile and walk thru the pain, right?)

as for the comments about heels - actually i own no shoes without them anymore - for me, it changes my gait, and i hurt less when walking when i have them on than when i don't - a minimum 2.5" rise makes a huge difference in my pain levels - so all i'm saying is don't judge by appearances all the time

although i do agree that they're often abused, and that standards should be tightened down for getting them (that infuriates me too, but there's not much i can do about it)

Re: if i didn't love you guys... i'd be pissed

[vicar.livejournal.com]

In her case I was judging from knowing her for years and her reaction when I made fun of her shoes. She really was just using the parking because she was too lazy to walk. She isn't fighting a disability - would have known about taht or she would have volunteered that when I made fun of her.

You're one of those infuriating people who make me think twice before saying something to people who appear not disabled getting out of disabled spots. 85% or more of the people you see deserve to be ridiculed for abusing the system out of laziness.

Re: if i didn't love you guys... i'd be pissed

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

i understand - especially when i can't find a close or handicap spot open and i'm having a bad pain day so i park way out, only to walk past as some twenty something fit male is getting into his car in the handicap spot

[freja999.livejournal.com]

Awww Darling, that's sweet. After my son was born, I discovered Peapod. That was five years ago and they're more self sufficient now (as am I).

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I would never question your "work ethic," as you always put in all you can (often too much, but that's another subject). However, I note your sister used the "fake" handicap tag when she drove your parent's car. I was horrified :)