Handicapped parking spaces: why shouldn't I be able to use them?

• Author: Wiesner, Pat
• Position: [on] MANAGEMENT

I have a confession to make. I'm always the guy giving my opinion and advice like I know it all. And I'm not so sure you should really be paying attention to me. It has been an absolute revelation to see what has been happening to me because I have temporary access to a handicapped parking card for my car.

My self-image is being ruined by my desire to always have a handicapped parking place. Here's how it came to pass.

I really never thought too much about them. I used to think there were too many because they always seemed empty. They're not being used, so we don't need them, I thought.

Then my wife got a full knee replacement. It is major surgery, it's tough, and true recovery takes up to 12 months. The first month was a lot of pain and a lot of physical therapy.

Along with that came a handicapped parking hanger card for the front window of my car. My downfall.

We have physical therapy three times a week and doctors appointments and other things we had to do, and so I quickly found myself looking for the "Handicapped Parking" signs, something I had never even thought of before. It took me all of two days to become hopelessly addicted to having access to this temporary perk.

I looked forward with great pleasure to my wife's physical therapy (where she suffered greatly through her manipulations) so that I could park up close to the front door! I would rejoice if I got the No. 1 spot right in front of the door to the building, and I would be just a little perturbed if I found myself in the last handicapped spot with a few more steps to the hospital door.

Going to a restaurant was even more fun. I got to skip the valet and park directly in front of the door.

Worse than that is when they are all filled and I have to drop my wife at the door, park like an ordinary person in the far corner of the parking lot and walk to the building. As I would do this I would find myself circling through the handicapped parking area actually checking the license plates and for hanging cards for handicapped parking in the cars that were parked there. A small storm would build in me every time I found someone that was parked in what should have been my parking spot!

Two things happened that made me...