Comments on: Abusing The System

By: anon

anon — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:36:52 +0000

Deaf people need the permits because they can’t hear a car starting and backing up nearby or one coming up behind them in the lane.

By: honestly

honestly — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:37:20 +0000

My Grandma has lung issues. She can go into a coughing fit at any time, so she has a handicap placard. My mom has a lot of health issues, most recently her hip has made walking very painful. She uses it when my Grandma isn’t. They both look perfectly healthy.

By: chatnoir

chatnoir — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:39:44 +0000

I am overweight, but I walk and run just fine. Then one day I went shopping with my family after having just gotten out of the hospital with a back injury. I could hardly stand, and when I tried to walk more than a couple of steps I nearly fainted. So I used a motor cart, and people gave me the rudest looks the whole time. You never know what else might be going on.

By: chatnoir

chatnoir — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:32:11 +0000

It can, it can also mean that it may be very dangerous for a patient and their guardians to try to cross a parking lot, as a patient may not pay attention or notice things like a car backing out near them.

By: chatnoir

chatnoir — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:29:30 +0000

This is true, I go to the grocery store with my grandmother on holidays, we shop and cook together for the whole family. And she has a permit that she put up on the mirror so that we can park near the entrance. I get the most awful looks from people when I’m putting the groceries in the car, until they see my grandmother walking up slowly with her cane.

By: Rawr

Rawr — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:56:35 +0000

But in her defense, her legs are killing her most of the time since her knee surgery.

I just love it when I realize something that should’ve been included in the comment in the first place when it’s too late. ;P

By: Rawr

Rawr — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:48:31 +0000

1st one for me*it’s not like I’m going to take two hours to use the friggin bathroom*
2nd one for mom, because she uses the one they gave my disabled father*who no longer drives*

By: arthas

arthas — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 01:21:34 +0000

thats me

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:35:35 +0000

I’m pretty sure that they meant the handicapped stall, which is after the gender associated cutoff.

The one you’re talking about? I think they just call them family bathrooms, now…

By: Rhea

Rhea — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:29:56 +0000

Something that whoever made this graph didn’t take into account is that some people of a non-binary gender use disabled toilets because they don’t feel comfortable in the binary-segregated toilets.

Just sayin’. Peace xx from Rhea.

By: Pff

Pff — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:36:42 +0000

I love how they put ‘normal’ in there.

By: mabsba

mabsba — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:37:38 +0000

Besides, there is a world of difference between walking on a smooth, even treadmill with handrails to steady you and walking across an uneven parking lot that has no handrails and probably has morons like tigerbunny driving through it.

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:38:07 +0000

I’m not sure how you expect these handicapped individuals to overcome anything possible to overcome if you begrudge them a handicap parking space at the gym.

Your friend with the spinal problems isn’t forced to hit that treadmill twice a day. Maybe she has days when it’s extremely difficult to make it the short distance to her car, let alone to work. Do not ever presume to know someone’s disability.

By: CDthe

CDthe — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:31:27 +0000

I got screamed at for parking in a disabled spot last year (I have rheumatoid arthritis, walking is sheer agony) by a pregnant woman who reckoned that she deserved the space more because ‘two lives are more important than your ONE’

No she didn’t have a disabled sticker. She just reckoned pregnancy = disability.

By: tigerbunny

tigerbunny — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:57:22 +0000

What really irks me is handicapped judging other handicapped. Hey, mine is invisible so why can’t yours be too?

But, I have one friend who got her permit from a relative, and she goes to the gym! (have you seen the handicap spots at the gym? tons of ‘em)

Another, who does have spine problems, who comes to work talking about how many miles/hours she did on the treadmill last night. If you can walk on the damn treadmill, you can park legit and walk your butt into work! Puh-leeze.

By: tigerbunny

tigerbunny — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:54:38 +0000

I’ve heard:
‘You look pretty healthy for a disabled person’
the response is:
‘You look pretty clever for an idiot’

By: tigerbunny

tigerbunny — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:51:49 +0000

Really? Why do deaf people need to park closer? Is there something about their ears that makes it more difficult to walk in to the store? Really?

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:55:42 +0000

I don’t know how it works in the States, but in Canada people could take it from someone they know who has one, because they hang from the rearview window (sometimes they’re on the license plate but a lot of them hang). My Mom had a temporary one when she had surgery on her feet, and should could easily change them between her two cars. So… what this person says on the graph could and probably does happen.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:52:53 +0000

Wrote that before I read all the comments, guess it was mentioned. And I’m not ignorant, I know some people are fat because they’re disabled, but I live in New Brunswick, and 95% of the people here are just fat because they’re lazy and have poor dietary habits.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:47:14 +0000

You also forgot obese people who could use the extra walk.

By: anyte

anyte — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:10:57 +0000

At the point in my pregnancy when I couldn’t close the stall door without either hitting the belly or backing my hip in the tp dispenser, I started using the handicapped stall. The rails also made it easier to hoist myself off the toilet. I am not overweight and I did not gain an excessive amount of weight during my pregnancy. Some bathroom stalls are just TINY.

By: Sliverbane

Sliverbane — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:34:14 +0000

As everyone else has pointed out… The larger stall makes it easier for disabled persons to use the restroom but is not exclusive of people who are not disabled. So when it’s the only one – I use it. Or when I have had luggage with me at the airport – I use it.

By: annebonnie

annebonnie — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:41:45 +0000

i use the handicap stall in the bathroom cause i have quite an issue with claustrophobia. i’m not huge but i’m not skinny either, and sometimes those doors are just tooo close to the toilet in the little stalls. freaks me out.

By: Queina

Queina — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:05:19 +0000

LOL Always spell check before you post. *3 month period in my life*

By: Queina

Queina — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:02:16 +0000

Yup, as a parent of 3 kids, I’ve done that many times when I’m out shopping with just me and the child in the stroller. I see nothing wrong with it.

By: Queina

Queina — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:59:28 +0000

Yea it does seem that the people who mostly use the electric carts are the grossly obese. There was a 4 month period in my life when I did use them even though I’m not disabled. It was in the last 3 months of my last pregnancy and I was so large that walking was physically painful on both my legs and back. But as soon as I had the baby, I was back walking like a normal person even though I am overweight, I will not use it as a crutch to get out of getting a little bit of exercise.

And as far as the bathroom stalls. Stores nowadays are trying to cram as many stalls into the bathroom as possible that the regular stalls are extremely narrow. While I can fit into one, I have to usually straddle the toilet and reach backwards to shut the door. Then once I’m sitting down I can barely spread my legs open far enough to wipe. So if the handicap stall is available, yes I’ll use it.

By: meetooo

meetooo — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:14:50 +0000

Not true – even us elderly get attacked for not looking disabled and having a placard. It’s sad. Makes Granny wanna use pepper spray on the little punks.

By: meetooo

meetooo — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:13:15 +0000

I like your thinking…

By: G. James

G. James — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:07:53 +0000

Sorry, but I’m not giving it up until I complete my business.

By: Dina

Dina — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:20:00 +0000

Not to mention that Downs can cause various physical ailments anyway, if I’m not mistaken.

By: KC

KC — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:09:53 +0000

Forget the parking space. The bathroom is for everyone. There are no laws or restrictions on the bathroom.

By: Starlinguk

Starlinguk — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:03:16 +0000

My grandmother had that problem too, but it *has* been scientifically proven that most of the time, those carts do more harm than good. It means the person gets even heavier, and the muscles no longer get enough exercise. It’s a vicious circle.

By: Starlinguk

Starlinguk — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:00:13 +0000

To sum things up: this graph totally sucks.

You can’t get a disabled sticker/placard without actually being disabled. They don’t come free in boxes of cereal, you know.

By: metaltothedeath

metaltothedeath — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:57:24 +0000

That would be a handicap.

By: nobody_special

nobody_special — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:24:35 +0000

“Fewer of us have parked in handicap spots, but it would be hard to argue that it doesn’t happen…often. After all, if they aren’t being used, why should you have to walk the extra distance?!”

Because while you’re inside the business, someone with a legitimate disability and a tag or placard comes along and finds the space already occupied and either has to try to make it in from the far reaches of the parking lot or give up and turn around and go back home.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:18:21 +0000

I don’t know. My teachers had their own bathrooms and each classroom had one. I guess I hope that there weren’t any students who needed wheelchair accessibility. Also, I hope I didn’t make a single error in this. It will probably be because I didn’t listen to/respect my teachers. Lord knows it wouldn’t be because I’m human.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:06:44 +0000

It should also include those who have significant anxiety problems and can’t handle being in the smaller stalls at all.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:04:33 +0000

My friend’s mom gained the weight after becoming disabled. In her case it had nothing to do with the weight. Now that she’s down to about 170, she still needs those carts most of the time.

By: VrockPokey

VrockPokey — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:34:32 +0000

1 in 6? Heck, in Africa most people have lost some part of their bodies to disease…in Iraq it’s bombs…

The actual percentage might be even higher if you add mentally retarded people.

By: taitano

taitano — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:22:56 +0000

I was in a car accident in 2005. My dad was driving and, the way that corner was built, he went over the line and hit a dump truck with his side of the car. My 6 year old nephew broke his leg, I broke my hip and ankle and my dad bled to death out of every orifice – and a few new ones – while we watched. I gained nearly 50 pounds while I spent 6 months in bed and I have been able to move enough – albeit painfully – to work it off only in the last year or so.

Most fat people who have that placard got fat because of whatever got them that placard. Things that slow you down like arthritis, MS, various diseases, etc, etc can cause it. Sometimes it’s temporary.

I had a cousin who got some disease volunteering in Africa and got realllllly fat for several years because it screwed with her metabolism. For nearly three years, she couldn’t walk more than fifty feet without loosing her breath and having to sit down. And the screwed up metabolism meant that eating less than normal still meant weight gain.

When the sickness was over, she lost the card and, with therapy, got “back in the game” and lost that weight in a year. She was left with mild arthritis and strong diabetes. She has since returned twice to volunteer in Africa and South America, despite what happened and despite the “thank you” she got from self-important, judgmental jackasses like you.

In conclusion: F**K YOU, YOU IGNORANT MORON!!!

By: humor me

humor me — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:38:18 +0000

I’ve been in rest areas with a line and had to wait, and wait, and wait….
to get into the handicapped stall with my mobility service dog. Trying to squeeze into a regular stall with a large dog in a harness with a fixed handle can be next to impossible depending on if they have those large toilet paper holders set low enough. I’m amazed at how rude some people have been regarding looks and comments despite my wicked limp. If I wasn’t afraid of getting a ticket for vandalism I’d get a sticker for all the cars I’ve seen parked with no plates or placards that say, “If you want my parking spot, you are welcome to my disability!” and put them across the windshield.

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:18:44 +0000

That’s beautiful and poetic. I’d take it a step further and hop after them, threatening violence with my relocated limb.

By: LMN

LMN — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:18:47 +0000

People yell at a friend of mine who is a double amputee all the time – he wears long pants so you can’t see his prosthetic legs. He usually just takes off one of his prosthetic legs when they do. I hope they feel wracked with guilt for months afterward.

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:42:56 +0000

Or Narcoleptic. But then it raises the whole issue of narcoleptic people driving, and that’s always a hotbed of debate.

By: tincan

tincan — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:39:51 +0000

Well I think that’s a acceptable reason to use the handicapped room as long as no one handicapped needed it =)

By: ummm

ummm — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:29:42 +0000

….anger of the other fifth graders and me

maybe you should have listened to/respected your teachers a bit more.

By: hurrrr

hurrrr — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:28:11 +0000

d00d it’s not illegal to use a handicap stall if you’re not handicapped….

By: tincan

tincan — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:01:10 +0000

Though keep in mind that disability can cause obesity as well. If they got *that* fat from eating fast food everyday then yeah no pity for them, but if their obesity is from a disability that limits mobility, can’t really blame them.

By: tincan

tincan — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:58:13 +0000

Something similar happened to my neighbour. Her daughter has Down Syndrome (which btw, is something VERY distinctive… you can tell from her face that she is not normal) and yet someone yelled at my neighbour for parking there because her daughter isn’t *physically* disabled! Dude! The little girl is mentally disabled, cannot lead a normal life, and has a shorter life expectancy! It’s difficult enough that her parents have to take care of her as the little girl is definitely not independent. Can’t people cut them some slack? Horrible.

By: tyberius

tyberius — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:04:31 +0000

Hahaha, sometimes reality beats House MD hands down. Well played!