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AIBU?

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Original poster

Parking in a disabled parking bay

209 replies

VividLilac · 15/03/2025 15:37

I am trying to give my 10 year old a little independence. He wanted to get himself ready after swimming lesson and meet me in car park of leisure centre. I was right on time and it was getting a little dark out so I swung into a close(ish) to entrance disabled parking bay. There are around 10 bays in total with one car parked up (I would never have pulled into these spaces if busy and certainly would not have taken the last space). I stepped out the car, waiting next to it for the 40 seconds until he came out of the leisure centre to wave him over. A small child was walking past hand in hand with their grandmother and she loudly started to speak to the child about how selfish it was to park in disabled spaces. Of course she is right and I wouldn’t do it again, no matter what the circumstances but ffs was there any need.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/03/2025 17:24

LadyKenya · 15/03/2025 17:22

Yeah, sure she did. And she knew that you were not disabled, how exactly?Hmm

Show quote history

The lack of disabled badge on display was probably a clue

LadyKenya · 15/03/2025 17:22

VividLilac · 15/03/2025 15:37

I am trying to give my 10 year old a little independence. He wanted to get himself ready after swimming lesson and meet me in car park of leisure centre. I was right on time and it was getting a little dark out so I swung into a close(ish) to entrance disabled parking bay. There are around 10 bays in total with one car parked up (I would never have pulled into these spaces if busy and certainly would not have taken the last space). I stepped out the car, waiting next to it for the 40 seconds until he came out of the leisure centre to wave him over. A small child was walking past hand in hand with their grandmother and she loudly started to speak to the child about how selfish it was to park in disabled spaces. Of course she is right and I wouldn’t do it again, no matter what the circumstances but ffs was there any need.

Yeah, sure she did. And she knew that you were not disabled, how exactly?Hmm

Gloriia · 15/03/2025 17:21

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 15/03/2025 15:52

Posters getting their knickers in a twist when there were plenty of spaces available are ridiculous. Maybe if OP had parked there and then gone in it would be a different story but she was with her car and could have moved if for some reason 9 blue badge holders had appeared in those 2 minutes

People getting their 'knickers in a twist' probably experience this crap every single day.

Everyone thinks that they are a special case, that they can park in a space for disabled people as 'they'll be quick' 'there was lots of spaces', blah blah blah.

It isn't ok and I'm glad the other lady pointed that out.

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 15/03/2025 17:20

Laserwho · 15/03/2025 15:53

You can really tell the posters who have never had to relay on a disabled parking space 😡

Can't you just.
I'm waiting for the posts equating a BB space to a P&C one, those usually pop up on the MN carpark spaces bingo card at some point.

Sirzy · 15/03/2025 17:17

“Just a few minutes” and “plenty free” aren’t justifications to abuse the system. If everyone thought that way then those who need the spaces would be left unable to go out.

verysmellyjelly · 15/03/2025 17:16

@SparklyGlitterballs Hidden disabilities are irrelevant. Only people with blue badges (whether the disability is hidden or not) can use the spaces.

bluelavender · 15/03/2025 17:11

Some disabled people cannot get out of a car in a regular sized parking space. Some disabled people need to be able to park close to where they are going as walking is difficult for them

I voted YABU as on too many occasions no blue badge bays have been available when needed; with cars parked with either no blue badge showing or someone sitting in the car perhaps with an 'I'll move if a disabled person comes along' attitude; with no perspective of how challenging it is to get out of a car, put wheelchair together; talk to the person nicely to ask them to move (a scary situation sometimes); then get back into car; take wheelchair apart; put wheelchair in car; drive into the parking bay and begin while long process of getting out of car agian. Sometimes people park across 2 bays. That's really horrid

Itisbetter · 15/03/2025 17:10

I wouldn’t care that you parked there briefly to pick up your child if there were lots of spaces. Best not to take the end ones though

Samcro · 15/03/2025 17:09

Maybe the grandmother was using your parking as a useful learning moment for her grandchild

x2boys · 15/03/2025 17:06

SparklyGlitterballs · 15/03/2025 17:02

Whilst the grandma was correct, it was rude of her to say it aloud as she had no idea whether you needed the space for a hidden disability. You could have parked slightly further away in a regular space and walked to the entrance to meet your son.

Having said that, if there were 10 disabled bays and only one in use, then it was hurting no-one if you parked in one for less than a minute.

The Op didn't have a blue badge so therefore can't park there regardless of how many hidden disabilities she doesn't have ,someone can't just decide to park in one ,
If theu feel their disabilities warrant a blue badge thsn apply for one.

Remagirl · 15/03/2025 17:03

I have a blue badge and wouldn't have used my badge to allow me to use the bay for the purpose you describe. Whilst I wouldn't have commented if I'd seen you, you do need to give your head a wobble.

SparklyGlitterballs · 15/03/2025 17:02

Whilst the grandma was correct, it was rude of her to say it aloud as she had no idea whether you needed the space for a hidden disability. You could have parked slightly further away in a regular space and walked to the entrance to meet your son.

Having said that, if there were 10 disabled bays and only one in use, then it was hurting no-one if you parked in one for less than a minute.

Sebsaloysius · 15/03/2025 17:00

I have a blue badge which I would gladly let you have, but I'd have to insist you have my disability too.

I have lost count (as I'm sure most BB holders have) of the times that all the disabled spaces are occupied and I've either had to abandon my trip, or if I'm lucky, park in a normal space when there's one close enough for me to walk to where I need to get to.

It may well be that this lady was a BB holder, but when she arrived at the leisure centre earlier, all the disabled spaces were occupied, meaning she had to park elsewhere.

If I'd been her and saw you parked in a space without a badge when I hadn't been able to park there previously, I'd have been tempted to say something to you as well. But I wouldn't, I haven't and I probably never will (because some people are just vile and knowing my luck, I'd end up having my disabilities added to).

So no, please don't park in those spaces even if it is just for a minute or two.

x2boys · 15/03/2025 16:58

Dutchhouse14 · 15/03/2025 16:44

You know you shouldnt have parked there but no harm was done, a few minutes, when there were lots of available disabled spaces.
And tbh how was the woman walking casually past to know you didn't have a hidden disability?!
Maybe next time tell your son roughly where you will be in the car park.
It's great to increase his independence. I think you were unlucky to get someone commenting on it in the circumstances.
Try not to dwell

Because the Op didn't have a blue badge ,it's a blue badge space.

Sirzy · 15/03/2025 16:57

If you don’t have a blue badge then don’t park in a disabled space.

I don’t know why so many people struggle with that so much as it’s something that has a very clear criteria and evidence along with a very very clear purpose.

TurbulentPriest · 15/03/2025 16:54

Bailamosse · 15/03/2025 15:47

No, you don’t take up a disabled spot for a nice little teaching moment for your son.

Nor object when a passerby then takes the opportunity for a nice little teaching moment for her grandchild! 😜

verysmellyjelly · 15/03/2025 16:48

Incredibly unreasonable and selfish.

Dutchhouse14 · 15/03/2025 16:44

You know you shouldnt have parked there but no harm was done, a few minutes, when there were lots of available disabled spaces.
And tbh how was the woman walking casually past to know you didn't have a hidden disability?!
Maybe next time tell your son roughly where you will be in the car park.
It's great to increase his independence. I think you were unlucky to get someone commenting on it in the circumstances.
Try not to dwell

SherlockHomies · 15/03/2025 16:44

Of course she is right and I wouldn’t do it again, no matter what the circumstances but ffs was there any need.

Well she clearly felt the need.

There was no need to start this thread considering you knew you were in the wrong, but you did it anyway 🤷‍♂️

Quinlan · 15/03/2025 16:41

Was there any need for you to be in the bay? No. You don’t have a badge so no.

If you don’t want comments then don’t do shitty, selfish things. Because that’s what you did. I hope you never require a blue badge and a disabled space. I hope you’re never left unable to use a service and just have to drive home because you cannot find a space to accommodate your needs. Because you’ll often find someone using the space you need for “just a minute” as they’re “just waiting for someone.”

JillAndJenTheFlowerpotMen · 15/03/2025 16:41

YABU. But you already knew that.

LillyPJ · 15/03/2025 16:41

I can see that it didn't really affect anyone else then, but it's setting a bad example. You really didn't need to park there. Park elsewhere and explain to your children why some spaces are special.

Laserwho · 15/03/2025 16:40

AppleDumplings · 15/03/2025 16:29

I used to have a Blue Badge when I needed it so feel qualified to comment. I don't doubt for a moment you would have moved if needed. Don't over think it. They may have been having a bad day or are just a misery guts. Good on you for trying to give your son some independence in such a challenging age. Mine is all grown up but I don't envy parents with young children nowadays.

If the 10 year old wanted independence he could have easily walked to a normal parking spot. He's 10 year old not 4. My kids walked to school alone at that age, walking to a slightly further parking spot isn't teaching independence it's making an excuse

LadyMary50 · 15/03/2025 16:39

AppleDumplings · 15/03/2025 16:29

I used to have a Blue Badge when I needed it so feel qualified to comment. I don't doubt for a moment you would have moved if needed. Don't over think it. They may have been having a bad day or are just a misery guts. Good on you for trying to give your son some independence in such a challenging age. Mine is all grown up but I don't envy parents with young children nowadays.

This has nothing to do with parenting young children.My husband has a blue badge as he needs the extra space to fully open the door to be able to lift his leg out(he has no feeling in it).I saw some stickers on-line which say”not disabled just a cunt” which I will be buying as the amount of people using disabled spaces is getting ridiculous.

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 15/03/2025 16:37

Sorry but this is what is all that is wrong with the world.

‘ I know I did wrong but being entitled I justified it and am now angry someone who pointed out how I was completely wrong and then inconsiderate was rude. ‘