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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think it's ok for disabled to park in P&C parking spaces

232 replies

SparkyStar84 · 20/01/2017 14:29

After the fun with the last post, going from experience too, I wondered how many would support the notion of the buses legislation AND a disabled person parking in a P&C space where ever, if the disabled spaces are full.

Technically we have the right too with a badge.

I've had issues before where the person with me has parked in a P&C space, without DC present, parents have got quite ratty.

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 20/01/2017 18:59

OH ffs I give up!!

Dawndonnaagain · 20/01/2017 19:02

You could be a hideous person who kills puppies. Just cos you have a back brace does than make you more deserving to be able to get out than the saintly, charitable mum of 5?
This is totally irrelevant, it is about the ability of a minority being able to access a facility that the majority are able to access. Doesn't matter how good or bad you are.

mambono5 · 20/01/2017 19:07

Surely it is rare the whole of the car park is full?

Confused Well, no, it's pretty much every time I go there (Greater London). They only get quieter at night. The ends are taken by the car wash people.

I can't be the only one who would struggle to put a baby in the white car in this amount of space! (Pretend the car is blocked on the other side too, obviously. I can open both doors on my car...). I am reasonably slim, and I have lost count of the amount of times I have to squeeze to go in my car, despite parking perfectly reasonably myself.

AIBU to think it's ok for disabled to park in P&C parking spaces
faithinthesound · 20/01/2017 19:07

Disabled parking is a right. P&C parking is a courtesy extended by most shopping centers/businesses.

How many parents have we seen who are so entitled they won't think twice about parking in the disabled parking when "their" spots are full? And will argue about their right to do so despite overwhelming evidence and public opinion to the contrary?

NECESSITY trumps COURTESY IMO. It's nice that these businesses extend parents the courtesy of supplying these spots for parents, but they are not a right, they are a courtesy - they are not required to provide these by any laws, and parents would do well to remember this when they are selfishly preventing an actual disabled person from being able to park and go about their business.

mambono5 · 20/01/2017 19:14

faithinthesound

Not disagreeing with you at all.
I am not sure it's a courtesy from the shops however, more an incentive to get more customers.

Livelovebehappy · 20/01/2017 19:14

People in wheelchairs definitely need the space, and should be able to use P&C spaces. What I don't understand is when people are saying they have a blue badge, don't need a wheelchair but find it difficult walking from the car to the supermarket so need to park as near as possible. Presumably once the person gets into the store they are going to be walking up and down aisles, which probably covers a greater distance than the walk from car to the supermarket entrance. So my question is; why does a none wheelchair user need a) more space, or b) to be parked near the store?

CupofTeaTime · 20/01/2017 19:15

I don't know why anyone starts these sorts of threads asking opinions on issues that involve the disabled. The answers off everyone are always in the favour of the disabled and if one person dares to have a different opinion the whole thread attacks them. Totally pointless reading 100's of comments all saying more or less the exact same thing Hmm

Perfectlypurple · 20/01/2017 19:16

You may struggle but can you not see that for someone in a wheelchair or with a mobility issue it isn't that they would struggle to get out of the car and into the shop - they wouldn't be able to.

LucklessMonster · 20/01/2017 19:16

(Pretend the car is blocked on the other side too, obviously. I can open both doors on my car...

Why would I imagine something that doesn't happen? Maybe once in a million times would you back to your car to find people parked 5 inches away either side of it.

P&C spaces really need to go if they make people this helpless and pathetic.

Perfectlypurple · 20/01/2017 19:17

live you do know that most supermarkets have mobility scooters that customers can use? So no, it doesn't mean that they will be walking up and down the aisles.

UnbornMortificado · 20/01/2017 19:18

I've been blocked in before and not been able to get DD's car seat back in the car. Lucky I'm in a quiet area so just get a spot further away.

I can see how it could be a problem in busy areas.

Spikeyball · 20/01/2017 19:20

My son walks to the store but then transfers to an sn trolley. The space is needed to get him out of his specialist seating in the car and makes iteasier to manage his behaviour.

Sirzy · 20/01/2017 19:25

live if ds walks into the supermarket it is straight to the "firefly" chair for him to go around the store in.

My Nan used to walk with sticks so needed as much space as possible to swing out of the car (after 4 joint replacements mobility was an issue!) and due to heart problems tired exceptionally easily. She was a stubborn bugger so wouldn't use a chair but minimising the amount of walking made a massive difference

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 20/01/2017 19:26

But it's not really 'a problem' is it? It's a bit annoying and inconvenient and might piss you off and delay you a bit - but not 'a problem' in the scheme of things? And, of course, it's fleeting.
Btw, in the olden days, car seats were not mandatory
Not sure what you'd class as the olden days, but they have been since I had DS1 22 years ago. As I said, p& c spaces didn't appear until at least 4 years later afair - and yet I drove to the supermarket with toddler and baby in tow, and somehow we all survived.

Dawndonnaagain · 20/01/2017 19:27

So my question is; why does a none wheelchair user need a) more space, or b) to be parked near the store?

  1. Because, due to the size of the store, it may be necessary to minimise walking as much as possible.
  2. BBs are not all about the ability to walk. In my case it's because I may shit myself so need to be able to park close to the store in case I need a lavatory.
  3. In my son's case it's because he has scoliosis and whilst he is able to walk, it's extremely painful and he can't push the trolley or carry things particularly far.
  4. DD2 was impulsive as a child so it was a safety issue at that point. (Wore a wrist band until she was 12).
  5. Some people can't cope with the sensory overload of a carpark, others with the sensory overload of a supermarket, so the easiest ways in and out are essential. Not all disabilities are visible, even those requiring a blue badge.
ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 20/01/2017 19:28

First half of my post was to Unbornmortificado

SauvignonBlanche · 20/01/2017 19:42

Oh FFS, who could compare the need for a BB space with the need for a P&C space - only a fuckwit! Angry

wishparry · 20/01/2017 19:43

I can't believe some of what I'm reading on here.
of course disabled people should use p&c spaces if disabled spaces are full.
if hate to think of disabled people having to really struggle out of a car and having to walk through the car park to get to a shop.
p&c spaces don't belong to anyone.

SpartacusWoman · 20/01/2017 19:43

Blue badges take priority.

There's a few good reasons why a blue badge would park in a PC space even if the designated disabled spaces are not full, the parent spaces are often closer and also bigger, a nice extra for parents, but often an essential for disabled drivers.

I think the suggestion that disabled and PC spaces be merged and shared is a bad idea, its would end up similar to when buggy users were allowed to share the wheelchair space on the buses. Youd have people who can park anywhere in the car park,taking a merged space and claiming "first come first served" and refusing to lark elsewhere if a disabled person needed the spot.

When pregnant I knew I'd be travelling on the bus alone so bought an appropriate buggy, dh would be in the car so bought the smallest seat possible, he either took dd out of seat and plopped her on the trolley seat for babies, or had the pram in the boot so he didn't need to pull the whole seat out, but even I had chosen a car seat that prevented me from using any other space than a p and C one and meant I couldn't shop at many places as a result, it would still be a temporary annoyance and nothing compared to being prevented to shop at places due to a permanent disability and not enough spaces, or having the spaces taken by fully able bodied people when the have other options.

Mammylamb · 20/01/2017 19:44

If no disabled spaces or it's easier to use then yeah, go ahead. But I reckon you're in here spoiling for an argument

JumpingJellybeanz · 20/01/2017 20:00

So my question is; why does a none wheelchair user need a) more space, or b) to be parked near the store?

In my case:

a) I can't get out of the car unless I can open the door fully. My seat swivels so I can place both feet flat on the floor. I then use the side of the door frame and the door to push myself into a straight standing position. I need space to do this. I then have to lean against the fully open door until I find my balance/am ready to move off.

b) I can't walk very far. The mobility scooters provided by the store can only be used in store. On a bad day I at least have to walk into the store. On a good day I can manage without it. On a good day I can manage without one but every single step hurts and every extra step taken today is one less step available for tomorrow. When you're able it feels like you have unlimited steps per day, a few extra here or there are insignificant. But try and imagine what it'd be like if you only had say 1000 and once they're gone, they're gone and you become totally dependent on someone else until you get your next lot tomorrow, or in a weeks time.

UnbornMortificado · 20/01/2017 20:38

Shotgun of course it's a problem Hmm

I have in no way compared it to being disabled and I've already said disability should trump parent and child.

Not that it's relevant but DD2 was disabled so yes I'd call not being able to get her home or to hospital appointments a fucking massive problem actually.

I'd of considered it a problem if she wasn't disabled as well.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 20/01/2017 21:12

Well then yes that would be a problem but we'll have to disagree where there isn't a disability. It's a pita but not an unsurmountable problem.

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 20/01/2017 21:13

LiveLove. I don't have a wheelchair but every step I take is agony. The nearer I can park to the store entrance means I have to take fewer steps.

HTH

TreacleTreacleLittleStar · 20/01/2017 21:16

As a Blue Badge Holder, I really wish everyone shared your opinion!! I get so much grief! I also get grief when I park in Disabled and people see me getting my toddler out!! They don't bother looking for a Badge, just start ranting at me! And then when I park in P&C but they HAVE seen my Badge, they go nuts telling me to move until they see I have a child! Then they look confused! It would seem Disabled people can't have kids to some people!!!