Handicapped Parking .... What?!?

I believe that people might be mentally handicapped and are incapable of apprehending the rules of the handicapped. In that sense, they have allowed themselves to be handicapped, not physically but mentally.

I have 2 mentally retarded children. I have handicapped parking for my son who is moderately retarded. I just got the parking earlier this year and he is 12 years old. I had no idea that he would qualify for this type of parking until I was speaking to another mother who had a child with the same problems. My son looks perfectly normal if you were to look at him. As a matter of fact I have had nurses, teachers, strangers, etc. tell me that they did not realize there was anything wrong with him until they heard him speak and saw how he interacted with others. He has an identification card; it does not say he is mentally retarded or anything of that nature. But he needed an identification card in order for us to apply for the handicapped parking. We have 2 hangtags for our cars and we use the handicapped parking when he is in the car with us. It is a Godsend as he does not watch for traffic, walks out into traffic, does not obey crosswalks, etc. It is so much of a relief for me now that I get to park near the store or the doctor's office, etc. and I don't have to worry about him or his mentally retarded sister, or my 4 year old in traffic. It is much more manageable and I don't have to worry about him getting hit by a car and either injured or killed. Also, as I live in South Florida it rains daily and my son cannot run very well and does not hurry along. With this closer parking we are not completely drenched by the time he leisurely strolls into the building. So the next time that you see someone who does not have a "visible" handicap don't be too quick to judge. As you see, they could have a family member who is like my children. You never know unless you have walked in someone else's mocassins. Have a nice day and happy myLotting!!!

I used to have a tag for my client. I'd only use it when I had to take him places like the bank, store, etc. Otherwise it wasn't used. Even worse than people using the tags are the ones who ride all over stores in those electric carts. I've only seen a couple I could understand doing it because of leg injuries. Most of them riding just need to go on a diet and walk instead of sitting on their butts.

I think those people should be fined, even if they have the tag. The tag should be used by handicapped people and not by everyone in the family. This is where guards and appropiate tagging would be handy. Handicapped people should have an special ID to show if asked, besides tagging their cars in such a way that you can put it in any car.