Thank you for the lovely posts overnight, I was exhausted and fell asleep shortly after my last post. I didn't sleep well, kept waking up. I fully intend to follow this through as far as I can. I have a steely resolve and massive anger after sleeping on it. Who the fuck are these people to openly refuse a disabled person a disabled parking spot, and then to physically assault someone in a wheelchair for daring to park next to them.
I will update this thread as events occur. If I'm informed not to for legal reasons, e.g.: case going to court etc, I will have to stop but until then yes, I'll update.
I must admit, I have a fear if being identified. Clearly my name is printed on the back of my blue badge, and it had clearly been removed from its holder. Do it's incredibly likely these people know my name.
Random, you have no idea how disabled people feel about approaching someone sat in a disabled spot. There's an inherent fear of being verbally abused, and it takes a massive amount of courage to ask. Usually I have DP with me, but DD came with me yesterday, and it was an impromptu visit to the shop and look what happened. Asking a simple, perfectly valid question led to me being physically assaulted.
Starry, I was so upset that my DD had to witness me being confronted and physically assaulted. This bastard went into the car with my daughter in it, once to retrieve my blue badge, and fuck knows why the second time when the car was locked (and my daughter had the keys inside). I was distraught tbh at her having to witness this. Thus morning has brought a stoic resolve to nail this bastard.
In answer to your question, disability cars come with various modifications, including a hoist to fold/unfold the wheelchair (storage can either be in the boot or in a "biz" on the roof. Also there are driver seats the swivel 90 degrees to ease transfer. In my case, I always need someone with me.
If you're interested in reading further - www.motability.co.uk/wav-guide.pdf and www.motability.co.uk/dfw have excellent information.
I'm so sorry Burning, sadly I can easily believe the persecution she faced. Since becoming a disabled wheelchair user my eyes have truly been opened. It's like a totally different world, I'm sad her book wasn't published. Thinking, I can't recall any books really of a disabled person talking about their daily lives and the struggles we face. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. 
Lynn, this is the same at one of my local supermarkets, limited disabled spots and people park there to use the adjacent cash machines, or even to run into store to get a sandwich. It was hell over Christmas and I questioned one who said it was alright as they would "only be a minute". Well that's clearly ok then, wtf am I supposed to do in the meantime.
And don't get me started on my local supermarket.in the next village. I live rurally so main, large supermarket is 15 min drive away. Parking is very limited at the local supermarket, perhaps 12 spots, and one disabled. People create an extra space by parking across the hatchings of the disabled spot (effectively rendering it impossible to open drivers door fully) and, of course, using the spot. I've questioned a handful of people doing both and been told "You can fucking wait then, can't you", "I won't be long", "The other spots were full, why was I supposed to park", and many more. Being disabled has really opened my eyes.
I'd actually say, worryingly, a majority - based on my own experiences- don't give a toss about disabled people and are automatically inconsiderate, not thinking of other people. This isn't meant to be inflammatory mind, this is my own experience, although I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear them replicated.
Mrsmorton, you shouldn't imo. Yet the "I'll only be a minute", "I'm just picking someone up", "there's nowhere else to park" crowd justify their atrocious behaviour like this. It's bad enough living life as a disabled person without facing additional challenges when needing to go out. I've experienced verbal abuse at supermarkets (large shops now home delivered), the hospital and the doctors. Then you get physical assaults. It makes you just want to stay home never venturing out. So many people are totally inconsiderate.
Hi mummy, what an incredible post. Thank you so much for making it.
People really do not understand how vulnerable you feel, and are when in a wheelchair. The number of times people have clipped me with a trolley and looked at me with utter disdain in a "how dare you impede me" look, then carrying on their journey with no apology. It would be hilarious if these people had to spend a day in a wheelchair and encounter the issues we face every day of our lives.
He used enough force to pull me back, and for the wheelchair to tip back. Due to being bed, and wheelchair, bound I'm rather overweight which gives even more perspective to the force he used to control my movement. His punch really fucking hurt. I was even more distraught my daughter witnessed it.
What a exceptional point you make too - a wheelchair is an extension of a disabled person. Putting him hands on my wheelchair is like him putting his hands on a normal person; and his actions akin to dragged that person back then punching them. I bet if a woman posted that experience there wouldn't be the victim blaming as here. Remember I didn't block them in - if I blocked them in
, how were they freely able to leave? Or should I have waited for them to vacate the disabled spot they were ineligible to utilise? Be the invisible person disabled people should be? God, I'm fucking pissed at it all this morning. Whereas yesterday was about the pain and traumatic impact if everything, overnight I've found my anger.
Yes, I managed some years without a wheelchair with invisible disabilities. The wheelchair has alleviated some of the abuse, but a significant number of my issues remain invisible disabilities. It's really fucking hard, mentally and physically deciding to go out. It's a battle each time. Then the looks, the snide comments, the open verbal aggression. It's something that isn't recognised until you are placed in the disablement position yourself. A lot of people have a very "cut-and-dried" vision of a disabled person - old and frail, cannot walk, needs support of another etc etc. Anyone breaking their strict parameters clearly is taking the piss. I'm young, the looks are horrible.
I'm sorry about both you being a full-time wheelchair occupant, and about your dad (again it's the set vision people have isn't it? "But you look fine"). As someone suffering from several invisible disabilities I'm most aware of them so clearly I wouldn't steam in both barrels at someone parked in a disability spot (although I doubt many disabled people drive the close to £100,000+ car they were driving). I was polite and respectful, and received a condescending answer in return. Then the response in my parking next to them, the only other option being to go home - and this shop is a 30 minute drive from home - and come back another day - was to be physically assaulted. I hope CCTV captured it all, there are two shops next to one another, they are confident the footage covers the respected area but will only release to the police.
Thank you for your eloquent post mummy, ill of course update thus afternoon/evening after seeing the police.