to think disabled people should be able to park in P&C spaces if the disabled spaces are full?

[nappyaddict]

Someone I know today was moaning about an "old biddy" who had parked in a P&C space because there were no disabled spaces left. Now I actually have a blue badge for my DS who has no sense of danger but I only use it in car parks where we can't park near a footpath. If we can park near a footpath in a normal space then I will park there and put reins on him or hold his hand.

I just think it's a shame that people would rather an elderley person or disabled person struggle than offer them their P&C space!

I have arthritis and really struggle with my knee before now when out without Ds I have been called selfish for using a lift because I don't look disabled. Always intrigues what someone disabled looks like!

sevendwarves

You agreed with someone who said that some old people are selfish and went on to use the lift example to illustrate.

a mum in scotland - no, i saw them do it when i was behind them heading for the (last!!!!!) P and C space. I have no idea why the wanted that space as it was further to walk and the space was narrower then the blue badge ones!

sevendwarves I'm recovering from broken ankles - on the flat and from a distance it looks like I can walk fairly well, BUT it's things like escalators that I have to be very careful of - I think it's probably the same for a lot of OAP's a little niggle/dodgy knee for example can really upset your balance and it's something you don't realise til it happens to you iykwim?

That's why i now always use a sling sevendwarves, fed up at getting abuse because i dare to take my child out of the house.

I have politely pointed out to some old people that certain spaces are p&c, when there are lots of other spaces including disabled available, only to be called everything from a nosey bitch to a fing cunt. I an always polite when i do this.

A carpark we use in sheffield has a floor of dual use spaces which seems to work very well, apart from the odd biddy telling us off and complaining about the youth of today and their lack of respect.

However if all the disabled spaces are taken YANBU.

YANBU
Perhaps this is why there were no disabled parking spaces left. On Saturday, I witnessed a young Bimbo-Chav career drive her Very-X-large 4X4 into the disabled parking space nearest to the front door of Tesco. She skipped into the store in her ballet slippers tossing her blonde-streaked extensions without a care in the world. I fucking hope that, one day she realises just what it is like for someone who can't walk, cannot get out of the car because there is not enough space to open the doors and get into a chair/pram, or has to wait until a space is free.

DH said it's 'cos she didn't know how to do parallel parking. I think he was right.

OK, give me a fuckin' bun, a biscuit or gin & IT.

Oh Swan, it was awful, her legs were a complete mess and took so long to heal.

...and it doesnt help that she is actually scared of enclosed spaces, so used to avoid lifts! She now goes in, holds on tight to whoever she is with and keeps her eyes closed.

Mind you the young chap who helped her up (she was with my dad (aged 82) and he couldnt lift her) still keeps in touch with her - even sends Xmas cards.

Sorry, I meant Sevendwarves

MumsieNonna I'm not even remotely surprised by that!

Oh Dallas - that is dreadful ! Eek!

Oh your poor Mum LtEve.

I am also terrified of escalators - would never use them unless I really had to and I am an able-bodied 32 year old.

Tesco has had a refit in Gloucester - the P&T spaces are miles away from the front door, and they are often empty.

Mumsie, how do you know she wasn't disabled? Are disabled people not allowed to drive 4x4s and wear ballet slippers? How do you know she wouldn't get out of breath walking a few metres (or even skipping?)

I'm do realise that these places are abused and it drives me up the wall, but also get very annoyed by the ignorance that doesn't let people be disabled unless they look it.

AMumInScotland If they have a blue badge then they obviously have a need though. They may be able bodied but they would have some other condition that means they require a disabled space.

Sirzy That's terrible. I don't know much about the condition but do you have a limp with it? If so it should be obvious why you need to use the lift!!

I don't like escalators either. If I haven't got DS (4.6) with me I use the stairs but he takes forever to climb stairs so if he is with me then I use the lift.

YANBU.

Just a quick question to see what people think, what is the maximum acceptable age for your child to qualify for using a p+c space, is there an official upper limit or is it up to individual discretion?

nappyaddict depends how bad a day I am having I can have anything from a little limp to a really obvious one.

Ellie Its a hard one but probably when you don't need prams etc, although I guess even then you need the door room to fasten them in. well you don't need it but its handy.

yanbu
and they are allowed to,

I do not see the need for P & C places, did not have them when my children where young.

Are todays parents incapable of walking?

madhairday
Sometimes you can just tell by the person's attitude to other people. If you look in their car you often know. I checked when I had to walk round the side of her huge car - she didn't have a badge in her windscreen.

Do I get a biscuit or a bun yet?

nappyaddict - I didn't realise they had a badge - if they did then fair enough, whether or not she "looked" disabled, it was just the description of an "old biddy" I was going by.

DH has a blue badge, and often gets glared at as he goes into a disabled space, as he is youngish and drives a decent car. But when he gets out he at least looks properly disabled as soon as they see him walk. It must be much worse for people whose diasbility is less visible - they can know they will be gasping for breath by the time they reach the shop, but if they don't actually drag their leg, use a stick, have a wheelchair etc, people don't know that.

Ellie - it's up to the parent to decide, but I think if you have an NT child, then once they are walking reasonably well and you can get their seat belt done up safely without the extra space would seem the obvious time. Which probably depends a lot on how easy your car is for doing seatbelts!

YANBU. Blue badge holders should be able to use any space in the car park really.

However, I have never driven into a car park and seen all the disabled spaces full. Usually there are reams and reams of them sitting empty while everyone else fights over the rest!

only need one more and i can call 'house' on parking space debate bingo...