Have we created an elite class of people

I think another good question would be, why do some stores insist on having 16 handicapped spaces in the parking lot? Usually, at the most, 2 of the spaces are filled. That means 14 or so spaces are sitting empty, taking up the first several rows of the lot. Meanwhile, a pregnant mother has to struggle to walk with kid and bags out to the far end of the lot. Why aren't mothers with small children given any assistance?

Its well known that some people will abuse the system. But then thats the case in about every system out there isn't it? But, do you truely believe you can judge a person's health by appearance only? If so, I'd have you look my direction. Yep, I'm disabled. But you cannot tell it by my appearance. I look perfectly healthy and I am able to walk. But the difference is I have severe asthma with COPD - invisible illnesses. The thing is I often can't walk too far without getting short of breath or having an asthma attack. This is true especially in cold or extremely hot weather. Then there are the bone spurs on my spine that cause terrible pain, or the leg thats injured that swells twice its size and makes it almost impossible to spend alot of time on my feet. I also have a whole slew of other illnesses that contribute to my disablity, but none of which are obvious when you see me. Now granted, I'll never cut in line and ask to be moved to the front of the line. But, if all the handicapped places have been taken I have been known to park in places that aren't normal spots - assuming of course that I'm not in a fire lane, or blocking an entrance etc. Do I feel I deserve special treatment? Maybe. But I'll do my best not to put you or anyone else out while getting the special treatment I NEED to get thru my day. And while I'm standing there at the back of the line leaning on my cart from weakness, I'll hope that you show some compassion for others, since its not always obvious by someone's age or physical appearance what their health issues may be!

I don't think that using handicapped parking, which is designed to make your life easier when you have a disability, means you are creating an elite class. However, being disabled myself, I know that there are some people who appear not need the assistance the parking sticker gives them. However, many of these people have underlying conditions that you can't see easily. I, for myself, tend not to use the wheelchair spaces because it's pretty easy for me to drive my power chair into the store, no matter how far away that we are parked. I'd rather save the space for someone who really needs it. In the second part of your post, you mentioned people who are just parked badly. Being disabled doesn't give you an excuse to park badly, and they deserve to be treated the same as any person who parks badly. All that people are trying to do by establishing wheelchair spaces is to make it easier by allowing you to park closer to stores and such. They are not meant to excuse bad driving. And in my opinion shouldn't be used as a way to do so. But people do take advantage.

There are always people who think they are entitled to special consideration regardless of their circumstances. I am disabled, and no longer drive... in fact, I rarely leave the apartment other than for doctors visits twice a year. I can't stand for more than about ten minutes, and I refuse to ride those stupid carts, so I stay home will the wife shops. Even so, I can still open the doors for the ladies when I am out.... the only thing I require of people is to not waste my time as it is very limited when I do have to go out. As for that woman at the ski resort... what was she even doing there in the first place?

Sure there are people that abuse this privelege just like there are bad apples in every group. It doesnt bother me to walk around a car that is parked in a cross walk. I dont think by looking at someone you can tell what is wrong with them. You say the the woman appeared to have the ability to walk farther...does she have cancer? Dizzy spells from leukemia? Did she recently have back surgery or knee surgery and now falls easily? You dont know. You decided according to your vast medical knowledge of her situation that she didnt need to park that close. I, thank the Gods, dont need to park close to stores, but I dont begrudge those that do. And as for those that take advantage of the system, they have to live with their conscience, not me.

friend i have the same experience with you .now i am a student .go to school by riding the bicycle ,sometimes see the wealth people have the well car . i am thinking someday i will become a bussiness . if i have the enough money i will donate it to the poor children. what is you opinion?

hmmm yes and no. sure there are some folks who take advantage of "they system" or whatever else they can take advantage of... thats definitely true. But I hope you aren't suggesting that we should not sometimes try to accomadate those who's needs are greater than our own. What happened to being considerate of those less fortunate. You're discussion hints a bit of insensitivity. I guess there is a fine line between enabling a sense of entitlement and truly being considerate of those who are less fortunate. I think you may very close to the line on one side, while I may be close to that line on the other.

Yes we have. We have lost our way and somehow ended up on the major highway of self-entitlement. It use to make me angry to witness such inappropriate behavior, now it just makes me sad. This syndrome seemed to emerge with the creation of "political correctness" and it is getting worse everyday. Frankly, I do not know if this monster can be put back in the box; a little taste of self-entitlement can be a dangerous and very unattractive thing.