Parking and scooters a handicapped dilemma

By MICHAEL KOSSOVE

It is impossible to find a handicapped parking space or a scooter at Wal-Mart in Monticello, summer or winter. Scooters are somewhat easier during the winter. It seems that almost anyone can get a Handicapped Parking Permit if you have a physician friend willing to sign the appropriate forms.

I understand that not all disabilities are visible, and many seniors need these permits. But when I see a vehicle, car, or small truck beat me into the only opened handicapped parking spot at Wal-Mart, and the driver get out and walk into the store with no apparent disability, I am livid.

The other day I saw a similar situation. I told the driver as he exited the car with no Handicapped Placard on the mirror, “This is a handicapped spot.” He said, “I’ll be out in five minutes,” and went into the store. He just didn’t have a clue about the need for the spot, or he just didn’t care. I also know of non-handicapped people parking in the handicapped space when using a car with a mirror placard that belonging to another member of the family.

It is almost impossible for the police to monitor this situation. A police officer observing someone with no apparent disability leaving a car parked in a handicapped spot can’t ask the person if they are disabled, or to prove it. To make it easier for police to monitor this situation, I suggest that when a person applies for the placard, application should first be to the New York State Motor Vehicle Bureau, who must confirm the need. Then the word “Handicapped” should be put on the license, or an “H” put on the license where “glasses” are put. Where the person does not have a license, they can get a special ID from the motor vehicle bureau. This would allow a police officer to ask a person parking in a handicapped space, with no apparent disability, leaving or returning to the car, to produce the license or identification.

Heavy fines should be levied for those who misuse this privilege. The owner of the placard should be notified that if it happens again they could lose the privilege for three months. One day, during the summer, I had to park halfway down the hill at Wal-Mart. As I was walking up the hill, I observed a heavy woman looking at me. Then she took off up the hill like she was going for a touchdown at Giant Stadium. Everyone got out of her way. In her mind was the scooter. If there was one left, she was going to get it, forget the fact that I was in shorts with a visible leg brace and a cane. There happened to be just one scooter left, and she jumped on it, and gave me that look of satisfaction.

I positioned myself in front of the scooter and told her, “Get off. I saw you run up that hill. You are not handicapped.” I said it rather loudly so most in the lobby heard it. She was embarrassed, got off the scooter, and ran into the store.

People must understand that the scooters are there for the convenience of the disabled who rightly need them, and not for the non-disabled unwilling to walk the store. I would ask the readers who are not disabled to please think about how you are inconveniencing the disabled when you take away a parking spot, or take a scooter, just to make it a little easier for you. We’d rather not need the placard or the scooter.

[Michael Kossove is a polio survivor and has a home in Kauneonga Lake, NY. He is a professor of microbiology at Touro College in New York, and is an adjunct professor at Sullivan County Community College.]