In thinking my parents are right to park in parent and toddler spaces

[lesley33]

Both of my parents are disabled. They can both walk, but it is a struggle to walk far. They also have a blue badge. At their local supermarket, some of the parent and todddler spaces are closer to the store entrance than any of the disabled parking spaces.

They don't need the extra space provided in the parent and toddler parking spaces. But the extra distance from the disabled parking spaces really makes a difference to them. So they park in the nearer parent and toddler parking spaces. I think this is fine - given the specific circumstances.

AIBU?

err welcome to MN?

How do people who don't drive cope then? If you can't control children in the car park that's your problem not to do with the car park! What do you do when shops don't have p and c?

I actually do think its unreasonable. All my local supermarkets have p/c spaces MILES from the door. There are also usually only about 3 spaces. I actually find it quite dangerous negotiating miles of carpark with bags and twin toddlers if i am on my own.

There also seems to be a huge imbalance in provision. Surely parents with children make up a larger percentage of the population than disabled badge holders, yet there are always masses more disabled spaces than p/c spaces.

It certainly pisses me of trapsing to the furthest recesses of the car park, trying not to drop stuff or have a child knocked down, passing on my way scores and scores of EMPTY disabled bays.

The parent/child spaces are always full, whilst there are always disabled spaces lying empty, so that suggests to me that the allocation is way out of kilter.

There have to be empoty disabled spaces though as if you can;t get out of the car otehrwise (am thinking my Nan who couldn;t be out long becuase of her ehrart condition- well the one that killed her) you have to go straight in. Plus I have yet locally to see any of the very many sapces free on a Saturday at 2pm even if free most of the rst of the week.

Do it online.

i dont actually agree with this, the amount of people who is see using the parents spaces and they have no kids! ive yet to see someone who looks like they are disabled and therefore are in need of using the space. they usually hop out and skip off into the store whilst i am left trawling around and struggle to get my babies out of their seat because people dont always park correctly

Well michelle you are either not looking or a bit daft. Blue badges are not easy to gain.

And what makes you think disabled people have to eb visible? 50% of those receiving support in my county have a non visible disability (autism). not becuase theyc an;t walk but because they are not safe around cars, or unopredictable, or likley to have an overload etc.

Yet they don;t exaclty have atattoo on their head saying 'disabled'

erm lol im not daft thank you for asking. i have yet to see someone who could be remotely disabled park in those spaces. more often than not its parents with empty child car seats. sanctimoanyarse dont worry yourself about my eyesight

blue badges not easy to get do me a favour, how many people driving these disbaility cars are actually the disabled peron it was intended for??? more often than not the second driver uses it and ferrys the person around - and if they are very disabled that person doesnt go out much and the other has a vehicle with paid insurance. i know of loads of people who have "access" to these cars

No of course not.

Michelle when did you qualify as a doctor? To make such assumptions simply by looking at someone you must be very talented!

I don't think I have ever seen anyone park anywhere in a supermarket carpark and skip to the store.

In fact I think the only person I have seen skipping recently is Michael MacIntyre.

I am extremely talented why thank you sirzy! and yes i know three people who use these cars ALL THE TIME. The sarcasm is lost on you but nevermind :)

Well Michelle I have been studying Autism at post grad level fort over two yeras niow and cannot sight-diagnose: have you considered marketing your skills to PCTs? Would save them an awful lot in CDC costs!

Why wouldn;t a very disabled person go out much ?

listen, blue bades can be used if the person is driving or a passenger who gets out the car; otherwise no. If that's the case where you live speak to someone, becuase abusing blue badges is wrong. Start the convo: 'Hey, I am an expert at diagnosing all mannaers of disability including autism and terminal cancer on sight'.

I mean, with a gift like that, mustn't be hiding it under any bushels now! .

And people with motability cars often pay many thousands in down payments.

(and before am accused no, I don't have a blue badge actually, or motability car)

"and yes i know three people who use these cars ALL THE TIME"

Is that because they are disabled?

Ooh. Can you diagnose down an internet connection?

Let's try it out. What is wrong with my foot?

KH

Tell me michelle, ds4 meets DSm-IV criterions 2 and 3 down pat but am not convicned about criterion 1 which as you now is key; will he grow into that or are we barking up the wrong dx?

TIA

I'll have a go at that one Computermouse!

[jumps up and down getting thoroughly overexcited]

Is it.......Disablitis?

And Sanctimoanyarse, the answer to your question is 42.

hahahahahahaha comedy keep it coming LOL! well actually, one has had cancer and is unemployed and now only drives a bit, so his family use the vehicle. The other a very old lady hardly goes out and so her daughter has it for the majority on the basis that if the old lady does go out she takes her (as she is wheelchair bound) the third man has been given a car and walks everywhere but he has given it to his son!!!!!!!! (obviously as the second driver) happens all the time ... and ill keep my eye out for the little jig LOL :)

Manic laughter and two capital Lols in one post.

My eyes! My eyes!