Parking lesson 101

I often dread trips to Wal-Mart. Honestly, who doesn't? No matter how early or late you go, there always seems be a ton of people there. Driving in the parking lot is like driving in the Indy 500. Not to mention trying to park.

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.