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

[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.