That always seems to be the biggest challenge for me. I often wonder if I should even bother looking for handicapped parking or just park at the back of the lot. Why the back, you ask? My minivan has a ramp located at the side door on the passenger side. If I don't have an empty space next to it, I cannot get in or out of my vehicle.
Today I was pleasantly surprised to find an empty handicapped parking space. I went in the store, did my shopping, and came out to find this:
Someone had parked right next to me. Yes, they do indeed have Educator plates on their vehicle.
My first reaction was anger. As I got closer, I opened my ramp to see just how much room I had.
Not much.
I decided to go for it and see if I could get in. I was able to, but not before coming very close to scratching this person's car (not purposely).
Here's another look at the space.
I waited to see if the driver would come out and they did. I politely informed them that that was not a parking space. They apologized and said they didn't know. They always parked in those spaces. I then proceeded to explain what the yellow lines mean. They thanked me and were on their merry way.
This same often happens to me at Wal-Mart and a few other places. It also happened in Savannah, GA one night at a restaurant. The young man was thoroughly embarrassed and said he thought the lines had to be blue.
I often wonder what people were taught in driver's education or if the general public is just that ignorant these days.
This, my friends, is my day to day life as a dis-handi-capable person.
