Money Moral Dilemma: Would you park free if it blocked wheelchair access?

tryinghardtosave_3

As the mother of a severly disabled teenager, I find it incredible that so many people have said yes they would block the rear door. We have, at huge expense, bought a wheelchair accessible car, with a fold down ramp at the back so that my son can just drive in. It is essential that there is adequate space for him to be able to drive up behind the ramp and then straighten up before entering. We have a sticker which politely requests that people leave about 6 feet behind to allow for access. This is usually ignored. In this case we have to leave my son either on the pavement if there is one- in all weathers- or in the road, while the driver moves the car out into the road, when we then hold up the traffic while we load him into the car. This can take a few minutes while we ensure that his wheelchair is clamped down. This is dangerous for him and us, and frustrating for the road users. Believe me, if there were adequate disabled bays, we would not choose to park on single or double yellow lines but sometimes the alternative is just to go home having not even gotten him out of the car. I would just like to say that 'there but for the grace of God go you' and until you or someone dear to you becomes disabled you have no idea how difficult the simplest thing can become, and anything that makes life even slightly easier for wheelchair users should be welcomed. I'm shocked at the selfish attitude of some of these people, but would like to thank all those who say that they would not block the car. Life is difficult, please don't make it more so just for the hell of it.

Bionic

scubaangel wrote: »

".... presumably with their blue badge there is other suitable parking avaliable.....'

I think you've hit one of the nails on the head here - there are various quotes relating to this ie 'Presumption is the mother of all.....' and there could be a danger that this applies when we don't intend it to.

scubaangel wrote: »

Also you dont know that the person who requires the space is actually out and about that day with the vehicle, most signs of that type are fixed and not placed on an as needed basis.

I couldn't agree with you more on this one - I regularly have heated discourse with people (I know) exercising exactly this kind of abuse - I've never understood why some able-bodied people want my privileges but not my legs or my wheelchair.

Writing in any form can be misunderstood so by way of assurance please know that I am not sniping at you.

THRIFTY_GIRL

:rotfl::rotfl:

Rotti wrote: »

OOh.....do I detect a note of jealousy or sour grapes from a people carrier driver? We have a 2-seater sports car that we sometimes park in the family spaces at Morrisons (with the permission of the car park attendant) when the disabled bays are full, as he is of the opinion that blue badge trumps pushchair. Before condemning the drivers, check the dash for a blue badge! And never mind.......you too will be able to have a shiny red 2-seater sports car when you have finished bringing up kids and they have flown the nest (if there's any money left from putting them through Uni!):j!

1. We do not drive a people carrier, nor a 4x4, nor a large estate. It is in fact a sport saloon, but the baby seats do give it away:p

2. We do own a two seater sports car, yes it is very nice, no it is not red and no we do not take it to the supermarket for our weekly shop:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:we leave that to those who do not have children!!

3. It is possible to have both money and children:jthou I will admit that it is a challenge:cool:

4. My reference was to able-bodied people who are more likely to drive such cars and I do see the dashboard but no blue badge. Accuse me of stereotyping but i think you did too assuming the only form of transport available to families is people carrier:rolleyes:

5. What has jealousy got to do with it? Frustration yes, as said people are usually skipping out of the car just as they have taken the last space...

Some of can have it all....just not that **** parking space:beer:

Magic-Ian

Dr.Rock wrote: »

Or open their boot and lower the wheelchair ramp repeatedly against your bonnet until you come out and move your car.

That is the best I have heard.:T:T:T

YANA

relaxtwotribes wrote: »

YES.
This is an easy one. All the other driver has to do is to exit the parking space into the roadway, where he will have the space necessary to get the wheelchair in and out of the boot.

How can he/she get in the car to move it if it's blocked?

YANA

THRIFTY_GIRL wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl:
It is possible to have both money and children:jthou I will admit that it is a challenge:cool:

Where my wife was brought up, the more children you have the more money you get
They're still not worth it mind :mad:

THRIFTY_GIRL

Rotti wrote: »

Surbybird.......Of course you don't see Porsches at Sainsburys........That's because Porsche drivers shop at Waitrose!

Now we're getting somewhere:money:.

No wonder I have so many problems. Try it one day Surbybird, about 5.45 in the evening in a reputable Hampshire supermarket:j

foxxymynx

TBH if you block the access, expect your car to get scratched. Whether accidentally or otherwise.

I'm a wheelchair user and people who have blocked access like parking over lowered curbs etc, it's likely that at some points I've at least scuffed a car accidently. There isn't an abundance of lowered curbs, nor is there an abundance of accessible parking bays. Lowered kerbs are difficult to come by, usually only 2 on a pavement (one at one side and the other at another - if you're lucky!) If you've drove around for 15 minutes looking for a parking space, it's probable that there was no accessible parking spaces either.

Park stupidly and inconsiderately and expect karma to bite you in the butt!

Those of you who said yes...I hope some inconsiderate drivers block your drivers door next time YOU go shopping!

storemanj

yes, as has been said already, he/ her only has to pull out to gain all the space they need, i know as i am disabled and had to do it my self, a small inconvenience only.

alnorris

No, I wouldn't park there - absolutely not! Too many people park inconsiderately such as in disabled or parent/child spaces when they shouldn't and it really annoys me! :mad: Yesterday, I tried to park at a train station and there weren't any spaces, although there were loads of disabled ones. My son (10yrs) told me to use one of these but I wouldn't. I then ended up parking on the end of a row but not in a marked space, even though I made sure I wasn't blocking anyone. However, I got a warning ticket when I came back which really annoyed me as I had no choice but to park there! But there's a prinicpal here and before anyone thinks I'm a real "goody 2 shoes", I'm not. I just want to set a good example to my children, and I just think if more people were considerate of others, this world would be a better place.