Guest Author - Jessica Steinmetz

Why do people who are not handicapped park in those spots? I do not know, but it is very frustrating to have this happen.

Ever since I was a little girl, I remember people who did not need a handicap parking space parked there anyway. My family would be so frustrated because those spots are wider so they could get me and my wheelchair out of the car. No matter where I go, I always run into this problem.

Why do people park there that do not have a disability? Do they feel guilty? My guess is that they do not realize that people with disabilities need the space. I also think they believe that someone who needs it won't come that time of day. I guess that there are all kinds of ways people justify parking there.

One thing that I was guilty of doing was parking in the handicap spots labeled van accessible. Until I recently bought a van, I never realized how important it is to have a van spot. When you have a van with a lift or a ramp, you need extra clearance so it can come down and you have room to come out. Now I'll try not to ever park in a van spot unless I have a very good reason.

What to do when someone parks in a handicap spot and simply walks away? I admit I just mumble under my breath or make a comment to the person I'm with how rude it is. But some people are far more creative. They take pictures with their cell phones or digital cameras and show it to the police. They write a note and put it in their wind shield. They put a very sticky sticker on their car. They ask them why they are parked there.

I hope if you are someone that parks in handicap parking without a physical need, you'll stop. You make someone with a disability day so much more difficult than it has to be. And yes, we do go places all of the time, so chances are you're disrupting someone's day by parking there.