Handicapped Parking

[karlyg]

a few months ago, i was driving in my neighborhood, looking for a parking spot by my apartment, when i got a sudden and intense urge to "go." there was no parking open within a couple blocks of my apartment, so i parked in the one spot that happened to be open right in front of my building, which was a handicapped parking spot. i put my blinkers on, ran up to my place and just made it to the bathroom in time. when i ran back down to move my car, i had received a ticket for...drum roll please...$320!!! i paid it, of course, and it made me start thinking that perhaps i should get a handicapped parking permit for such emergency situations. i certainly would not use it all the time for regular parking, but i worry that i may not be so lucky to make it to the bathroom some time. in fact, i'll spare the details, but i went on a long-ish car trip this weekend and did not "completely" make it to the rest stop bathroom in time because i had to park all the way across the parking lot.
anyway, here's my question: i asked my GI about this, and he said that he has "not had success" in getting permits for other patients with crohn's, so he didn't want to sign the form for me. i was under the impression that the dmv wouldn't really care so much about the details of one's medical condition as long as they have the form filled out by their doctor - i mean, it's not like a social security disability application where you have to go before a panel and prove your disability and stuff. but i really don't know. do any of you have experience with this? i am wondering if i should ask one of my other doctors who treats me for crohn's related problems to fill out the form for me, or if it is a losing cause to begin with.
thanks for reading this and for sharing your thoughts!
~karly

 

[Cara Fusinato]

What I really want is a "Gotta Go" card or whatever they call it in the UK so I can use any available R.Room anywhere. I was in a Target and they were cleaning the ladies room. The guy was done, but changing the paper towels. I need to go and couldn't. Or in places where they have just a couple single r.rooms and the ladies is occupied. In dire circumstances I want to use the mens. One of the places my husband plays with his band, has two single r.rooms plus another one in the back. You have ladies primping and other stuff and a long line. Sometimes I wanna just use them single mens as it is empty, but you get kicked out for going in the wrong r.room. Need a "gotta go" card! It should come in a package with a handicapped parking mirror hanger. Don't we have a case for the handicapped?

 

[ruthymg]

Don't know if this applies to other countries, but soon over here, any type of business with public toilet facilities cannot make someone purchase something in order to use them, it will be illegal to do so (about time too I say) Not sure when this will be coming into force, but I understand its quite soon.


Ruth

 

[Cara Fusinato]

Over here, they can refuse you. I went into a Pier I and I had a desperate r.r. need. I asked and they said NO. I explained I have a chronic illness and they said NO. Even though I was spending over $100 in the store that day and I was a regular customer. I left there and went to a KMart in the same shopping center and barely made it into their r.r. which was, to my horror, at the back of the store. I think that was the last time I visited Pier I.