Is it just me?

I would’ve gone nutso at someone writing on my car. Did you ask him what the hell he was doing to your car? what was his response?

Nick said :

Well how’s this:
Tonight just after 8pm came back to my car parked outside Canberra House to find an old man writing in texta ‘asshole’ on my windscreen because he thought the park I had parked in was for disabled.
WTF?
It used to be, once.
It isn’t anymore.
The signs clearly state who can park there.
Silly old bugger can’t read signs.
Seems to think he can vandalise other people’s cars if he doesn’t like where they park.
I got a photo of him, his car, the carpark and the sign and went to the police.
He drives a white Holden Astra.

When the cops identify him, make sure you pass the reference number to your insurance company so they can chase him down.

DrKoresh said :

I hope one day you break your femur so you can experience the delight of strolling merrily along on crutches from halfway down the carpark because some wanker with a Raiders number plate has parked sans permit in the disabled spot.

I don’t think that will ever be a problem, considering all the disabled parks are clogged up with lazy people who’ve scammed a “disabled” sticker on account of how they “get a bit puffed” if they have to walk 100m.

I’m still perplexed as to why someone who is legally blind would need a parking permit, how would they know where to park if they can’t see the disabled parking sign?…………..

Well how’s this:
Tonight just after 8pm came back to my car parked outside Canberra House to find an old man writing in texta ‘asshole’ on my windscreen because he thought the park I had parked in was for disabled.
WTF?
It used to be, once.
It isn’t anymore.
The signs clearly state who can park there.
Silly old bugger can’t read signs.
Seems to think he can vandalise other people’s cars if he doesn’t like where they park.
I got a photo of him, his car, the carpark and the sign and went to the police.
He drives a white Holden Astra.

Well thanks to some with sensible suggestions and comments as for the rest of you FOOLS thanks for nothing at all. Now for the person who siad I made up the details for an MPP the info i provided came directly from the NSW RTA Site not TAMS you idiot as TAMS does not exist in NSW.

Now the girl in question is not disabled her mother is blind, I on the other am disabled which is why I am pissed. Don’t worry about my mental state as when I am not at work where I can see her car directly in front of me I do not think about her at all.

As for punitive damage to her car, whilst it would be stress relieving for a few seconds I don’t think it would help much. I must admit I am interested in the valve cap? idea where no actual damage is done.

Oh and finally

beejay76 said :

I have a friend with rheumatoid arthritis (in her thirties) and another with multiple sclerosis, also in her thirties. Neither ‘looks’ disabled. They are, though.

I know you explicitly said you don’t want to hear that. Whether you want to hear it or not, it’s still true.

Did you actually read the post at all where exactly did I explicitly say I didn’t want anyone to tell me about their friends who don’t look disabled but are???? you my dear are clearly nuts.

Your list is not complete. There are other less obvious but equality debilitating conditions that are accepted for disabled parking. A few have already been mentioned here. Carers of disabled people and parents with disabled children are also eligible. Be very careful about judging people based on appearance alone.

Dilandach said :

Using a disabled permit while not being disabled themselves says to me that they’re morally damaged.

I think we need ‘morally damaged’ permits. They get to park the closest to the supermarket entrances [i]but[/i] they’re not actually allowed to enter the shops.

Vacant ‘morally damaged’ parking spots should be available for use by the disabled.

Slice said :

Ewoks will kill all of you……..

I thought Ewoks were good guys? – or have i ignored their evils because they are just so cute!!

DrKoresh said :

HenryBG said :

You are a colossal f*ckwit. Because it has a picture of a wheelchair it can only be used by folks in wheelchairs?

If anything people in a wheelchair need the disabled spot the least as they can roll to their destination rather than hobble.

Ewoks will kill all of you……..

I really thought that this was the stupidest comment I would ever see on the internet:

HenryBG said :

[ The disabled sticker, and the disabled parking space both have pictures of a wheelchair on them.

If you’re parking in a disabled spot but have no need for a wheelchair then I really don’t care about all these excuses, you’re obviously a scammer

But then I saw this:

HenryBG said :

Not as mentally-disabled as somebody who does not use a wheelchair but parks in a disabled spot that has a very clear picture of a wheelchair painted on it..

It is not a “Wheelchair Only” sign. It is an internationally recognised symbol for “Disabled Access” and is accepted worldwide to mean that.

Seriously! What other internationally recognised symbols do you interpret exactly as the picture?

Only women wearing dresses can used female public toilets? Or only men can use escalators?

Are there only swept wing jet aircraft at airports?

No smoking of cigarettes (but obviously cigars, pipes and bongs are OK as they are not on the picture?

You can only use knives and forks at eating establishments (no chopsticks)?

Only people completely painted green can use an emergency exit?

JazzyJess said :

How do you know this person doesn’t have a disability? It may not be obvious just by looking at her – arthritis, stroke, CF, heart condition.

the mini skirt and fetish stilettos apparently make that highly unlikely.

HenryBG said :

The disabled sticker, and the disabled parking space both have pictures of a wheelchair on them.

If you’re parking in a disabled spot but have no need for a wheelchair then I really don’t care about all these excuses, you’re obviously a scammer.

The disabled spots are not “100m” closer to anything than the real parking spots.

You are a colossal f*ckwit. Because it has a picture of a wheelchair it can only be used by folks in wheelchairs? What are you, a child? What about folks on crutches? I think you’ll find that the majority of wheelchair bound people aren’t in a position to drive themselves, presumably due to the cost of fitting out/buying a usable vehicle. I can’t believe you can be so bloody-minded and stupid as to be unable to comprehend different levels of disability.

I hope one day you break your femur so you can experience the delight of strolling merrily along on crutches from halfway down the carpark because some wanker with a Raiders number plate has parked sans permit in the disabled spot.

How quickly we forget. Follow this link for a classic thread with an awesome twist:
http://the-riotact.com/what-would-you-do/11096/comment-page-3#comments

Jim Jones said :

HenryBG said :

Megstar said :

I would be mortified if someone abused me for using a disabled spot just because I don’t ‘look’ disabled.

The disabled sticker, and the disabled parking space both have pictures of a wheelchair on them.

If you’re parking in a disabled spot but have no need for a wheelchair then I really don’t care about all these excuses, you’re obviously a scammer.

The disabled spots are not “100m” closer to anything than the real parking spots.

You’re obviously mentally disabled.

Not as mentally-disabled as somebody who does not use a wheelchair but parks in a disabled spot that has a very clear picture of a wheelchair painted on it.

“Oh, but I get puffed if I have to walk too far”. w@nkers.

I try not to care about stuff like this. But it irritates me because there are people who need those spots legitimately. On the other hand, the system does get abused, so surely the government needs to fix this. I know someone who has one, becauser they need a knee replacement. However they arent going to get a knee replacement until they lose weight. Of course they are doing nothing to lose weight.

Things like obesity, i don’t consider a disability, because it can be cured. However as someone who has been overweight and struggled to lose weight, I also have a lot of sympathy in regards to this. We do a hell of a lot more for smokers than we do for obese people. There is a mindset they just need to exercise and eat less. but its an addiction and mental state that is just as hard to crack as it is to quit smoking IMO.

That said, people who are not disabled and use car parks are probably a lost cause and feel society owes them, or feel they should get whatever they can get. You won’t be able to change them until they have a life changing event, often a death in the family, or illness of their own.

How do you know this person doesn’t have a disability? It may not be obvious just by looking at her – arthritis, stroke, CF, heart condition. If she is abusing the system then shame on her. If not, then shame on you for harassing her.

This has been bought to the persons attention ‘no change’ other than an implied threat that I persist they will accuse me of bullying and because bullying is accepted as fact merely by percepion i cannot ‘ask’ that person not to do it. It has been reported to their boss, no care ‘outside of work’ a story printed in the weekly organisation news letter ‘no care’ reported to ACT Gov ‘no care’ NSW permit, reported to NSW Gov ‘no care’ offence in the ACT. Used to be people would do the right thing if asked but seems that those that believe they are ‘owed’ something by society in general don’t give a flying rat’s arse providing it doesn’t upset their personal feelings and F##k everybody else.

So what would you people do?

Let it go and stop hounding this person. Maybe they are doing the wrong thing, maybe they’re not and there’s something about the situation you don’t know, but either way, you’ve done all and more than anyone would expect you to do and you’re starting to look a bit nuts. Clearly this is not good for your own mental health. Seriously, let it go.

I would start focussing on your own work and self The Tax man and dont take yourself too seriously during life or your tax position.

Enjoy your life.

HenryBG said :

Megstar said :

I would be mortified if someone abused me for using a disabled spot just because I don’t ‘look’ disabled.

The disabled sticker, and the disabled parking space both have pictures of a wheelchair on them.

If you’re parking in a disabled spot but have no need for a wheelchair then I really don’t care about all these excuses, you’re obviously a scammer.

The disabled spots are not “100m” closer to anything than the real parking spots.

You’re obviously mentally disabled.

HenryBG said :

Megstar said :

I would be mortified if someone abused me for using a disabled spot just because I don’t ‘look’ disabled.

The disabled sticker, and the disabled parking space both have pictures of a wheelchair on them.

If you’re parking in a disabled spot but have no need for a wheelchair then I really don’t care about all these excuses, you’re obviously a scammer.

The disabled spots are not “100m” closer to anything than the real parking spots.

hence why I rarely use them… but seriously, you think that if you aren’t in a wheelchair then you aren’t disabled??? That is such a terrible attitude to have.

HenryBG said :

Megstar said :

I would be mortified if someone abused me for using a disabled spot just because I don’t ‘look’ disabled.

The disabled spots are not “100m” closer to anything than the real parking spots.

There, but for the grace of God, go I.
Where is your empathy?
I wish I was so unaffected by any others that I could just look at a parking sticker and sniff “yeah, but they’re not in a wheelchair so they’re not really disabled are they?”

HenryBG said :

Megstar said :

I would be mortified if someone abused me for using a disabled spot just because I don’t ‘look’ disabled.

The disabled sticker, and the disabled parking space both have pictures of a wheelchair on them.

If you’re parking in a disabled spot but have no need for a wheelchair then I really don’t care about all these excuses, you’re obviously a scammer.

The disabled spots are not “100m” closer to anything than the real parking spots.

I find it perplexing that some apparently need the park closer than 100m but are fine with wondering through a shopping mall which is far longer than 100m.

Megstar said :

I would be mortified if someone abused me for using a disabled spot just because I don’t ‘look’ disabled.

The disabled sticker, and the disabled parking space both have pictures of a wheelchair on them.

If you’re parking in a disabled spot but have no need for a wheelchair then I really don’t care about all these excuses, you’re obviously a scammer.

The disabled spots are not “100m” closer to anything than the real parking spots.

1/ Take photo of nice legs wearing stillettos getting out of car in a disabled spot. Ask her for an interview and the reason why she has a sticker. Publish here.

2/ Get one of those infringement notices that stick on windows and are a pain to peel off.

3/ If it really erks you: slash two tyres. They wont park there again. Trust me.

m_ratt said :

Vindalu said :

what used to be 3 disabled parking spots becomes 2 with a lot of yellow lines to facillitate access.

From my observations, most of these areas replaced what was two wide accessible parking spots, with two narrow parking spots and a ‘keep clear’ area for access. No reduction in spots, however questionable benefit, especially with Canberra drivers’ penchant for knocking over the bollards designed to keep vehicles out of the access areas.

This wasn’t an ACT Gov decision, I have been told they are just complying with changes to the Federal level regulations – road rules or such. Also the way it was done was that it must be done, not that you do it next time you repaint the area.

I dont blame you for being annoyed. Write to your MLA. Write to the Canberra times. Take photos.
Good on your for making the effort.

For a couple of dollars you can purchase a valve key. A valve key can be used to deflate a tyre. It can also be used to deflate two tyres for persistent offenders.

Believe me it works a charm on vehicles blocking pedestrian accesses and the like. My guess it would work brilliantly on your bimbo as well.

According to TAMS, in the ACT to qualify for the Mobility Parking Scheme the eligibility is:

Be unable to walk and/or have pain or difficulty in walking 100 metres;
Require the use of crutches, a walking frame, callipers, a scooter, a wheelchair or other mobility aid;or
Be blind.

Organisations are eligible for MPS permits if they provide transport for people who meet the eligibility criteria.

Different to what the OP states.

I hold a MPS sticker. I qualified for it as per the eligibility criteria and at my worst couldn’t walk more than 100m without severe pain. It is a permanent condition but I am lucky in the fact this condition comes and goes and I have more good days than bad and therefore rarely need to park in a disabled spot. To look at me no one would ever think I am eligible.
I get that this person may be abusing it but don’t jump to conclusions about all of us with them. I would be mortified if someone abused me for using a disabled spot just because I don’t ‘look’ disabled.

In the ACT TAMS can revoke the permit if it is misused. I get more worked up over people that park in the spots with no permits.

I take it you work at tax with a user name like that?

This is what i would do, post a pic of her in that mini skirt you say she wears then AUDIT HER ASS…….

Not quite sure what the OP is on, as they appear to have concocted their own criteria.

From TAMS: http://www.tams.act.gov.au/move/parking/act_mobility_parking_scheme
Eligibility

To be eligible for a MPS permit a person must:

– Be unable to walk and/or have pain or difficulty in walking 100 metres;
– Require the use of crutches, a walking frame, callipers, a scooter, a wheelchair or other mobility aid; or
– Be blind.

Organisations are eligible for MPS permits if they provide transport for people who meet the eligibility criteria.

Vindalu said :

what used to be 3 disabled parking spots becomes 2 with a lot of yellow lines to facillitate access.

From my observations, most of these areas replaced what was two wide accessible parking spots, with two narrow parking spots and a ‘keep clear’ area for access. No reduction in spots, however questionable benefit, especially with Canberra drivers’ penchant for knocking over the bollards designed to keep vehicles out of the access areas.

You could have there photo published here.

You can get a parkng permit if your permanently blind ?
I would pay money to watch that.

The biggest villains indecreasing the availability of disability parking is the ACT govt. Some clown has decided that some disabled drivers need a bit of space perhaps to access a wheelchair or other mobility aid that so what used to be 3 disabled parking spots becomes 2 with a lot of yellow lines to facillitate access. I transport disabled people all day long – these areas are not needed. Probably the same dimwit who paints out slip lanes to redirect traffic into one lane where there used to be 2.

“the 20something yr old you saw getting out of the car in a mini skirt and 6? stiletto heels meets the criteria”

Where? Pic Please?

Paint stip her car.

If you’re too p*ssy to do it yourself, ask someone else.

How about you just say where the disabled spot is, assisted with a nice Google Map. You’re not ‘persecuting’ any individual by doing that.

beejay76 said :

I have a friend with rheumatoid arthritis (in her thirties) and another with multiple sclerosis, also in her thirties. Neither ‘looks’ disabled. They are, though.

I know you explicitly said you don’t want to hear that. Whether you want to hear it or not, it’s still true.

but they also aren’t going to be wearing the 6 inch stilletos either…
all the people in my disablitity support group don’t wear stilletos (can’t super painful and would do damage balances) the girls don’t wear miniskirts either (make it worse show disfigurements)

Unfortunately I know exactly who the OP is talking about and the same person almost ran me over mid last week, when she pulled into the JB Hi Fi loading dock driveway while gasbagging on her mobile phone so she could do a u turn to grab the disabled spot right outside the Griffin Centre. I had the misfortune to be in the way (walking on the footpath) and obstructing her chosen route. I didn’t bother giving her a mouthful, what’s the point when the care factor is obviously so low.

I know that’s probably not right, people with a sense of entitlement most likely get that way because no one calls them on things, but I know a protected species when I see one. It’s disappointing no one will take action, but I just take solace in the fact that at some point the old adage “what goes around comes around” catches up with everyone.

Why has no-one proffered not only the most obvious solution, but also one that would satisfy all parties? Cripple her.

How do they manage disabled parking at the Wheel Chair Olympics?

Dilandach said :

Using a disabled permit while not being disabled themselves says to me that they’re morally damaged.

Get a bunch of disabled people together, get them to confront the person on why they should be using that permit.

Better than that, get a bunch of disabled people together, and vandalise the crap out of his/her car! Now THAT’S bullying.

A few years ago when my IBS was at its worst I was trying to get a job that met all the criteria necessary for me to be able to re-enter the workforce. The most important was a car space as near as possible to the building to allow for quick dashes to the powder room (if you get my drift). Others included not a lot of public contact so that I did not have to interrupt a conversation, meeting for same reason or travel in a plane.

Through an agency, I was offerred a job in a graduate recruitment type role and unfortunately the first criteria of a car space was able to be met if I had a disabled parking sticker. The area was Barton so car parking was a bit of an issue and the building sat on the edge of Barton a bit removed from the main car park.

I went to the Dr who told me I was not disabled enough to get a sticker so in the end had to forgo the job. I could have persisted but at that stage I was rather upset about it and the experience really bought home to me the lack of information and knowledge about IBS even among GPs back then.

Thankfully I worked around it and managed to find a couple of jobs since then that fit the criteria even getting a letter from same doctor to one of my employers to allow for an underground park on the days I worked. IBS is not like other illnesses, some days you are okay others not. The trouble is you can wake up and be okay and then 1/2 later it strikes. I won’t go into the gory details.

Avoiding traffic jams is another fun adventure, which works if you leave just after the peak hour (such as it is in Canberra) eg. if you want to go to Woden shops and leave before lunchtime crowd. People with disabilities and illnesses often learn tricks of the trade to manage their conditions the best way possible.

The point of all that is to say that really you cannot tell if someone is ‘worthy’ of a sticker or not just by appearances young and pointy heels or not. It really is the case, but I agree that those who just use these spaces because they are lazy make it very difficult for those who struggle with mobility.

I have a friend with rheumatoid arthritis (in her thirties) and another with multiple sclerosis, also in her thirties. Neither ‘looks’ disabled. They are, though.

I know you explicitly said you don’t want to hear that. Whether you want to hear it or not, it’s still true.

1. buy posterboard, large pen superglue (pay cash)
2. get someone else to write “you park like an A$$hole” on both sides (can’t trace your handwriting)
3. super glue to windscreen (wearing gloves). (it’s won’t damage the glass)

4. laugh

I don’t like people who park in disabled spots when they aren’t disabled. stupid jerkfaces. particularly when there are people in the office who need them (wheelchair, crutches, walking frames). hmmmm so I don’t qualify for a parking spot in NSW good to know. (I don’t actually have one as I think there are people who need them more then I and I can just walk that little bit slower when needed and rest a little bit more)

I’ve got one in my office too. Her only obvious disability seems to be that she’s a massive tool – but I don’t know for sure so I mind my own business and trust karma to sort it out. Don’t get me wrong, I hate the idea of someone taking priority away from those in need, but raising the matter in a constructive manner with this particular person is pretty clearly impossible.

Another bloke I work with uses a carer’s pass to flout the parking gods. It’s been issued despite the fact he’d be flat out carting his mum around once a week. Most days he’s still in the wheelie-spots. I chipped him about it one day and basically felt it was an entitlement for the stuff he has to do for his Mum. Didn’t really know how to respond to that without hurting his feelings…

jessieduck said :

Are you drunk at 2pm on a Tuesday? Half your sentences don’t make sense.

Despite all that, I do understand your point but if you have tried to address it, and everyone is basically telling you to mind your own business then… maybe it’s time to mind your own business.

Basically, yes. I find it interesting that you have put so much time and effort into this.

OK if you know this person and their situation yes maybe you can get angry, but it sounds like you have tried everything to get this person to stop and all you are doing is getting yourself het up. Maybe it’s time to step back and hope Karma takes care of them, because all you are doing at this point is stressing yourself out.

I am reasonably fit and health and I have faced down people yelling at me for parking in a disabled space. I volunteer for a community group that takes people who ARE disabled out shopping, to doctors appointments etc. I am not disabled but if I am picking up someone in a wheelchair, or with limited mobility – yes I do have the right to park there, I need the extra space to get wheelchairs etc in and out of the car, sometimes the people I am helping can’t walk far on their own, even with support. So sometimes the situation ISN’T as cut and dried as it seems at first.

Ok, supposing the person you are referring to is in fact not disabled, this is really simple. You just need to accept that a lot of people are assholes. Kudos to you for challenging them, and letting them know that their behavior is unacceptable. You’ve done what you can and it didn’t work, the best thing to do now is to drop it and try and not let it bother you.

Using a disabled permit while not being disabled themselves says to me that they’re morally damaged.

Get a bunch of disabled people together, get them to confront the person on why they should be using that permit.

The quotation mark. You keep using that ‘punctuation’. I do not ‘think’ it means what ‘you’ think it means.

If you needlessly worry about individuals who milk the system you will live a morose, frustrated existence. Instead of trying to coerce one scumbag to change their ways you could put that time into something positive for the wider disabled community – maybe lobbying for changes to make the permit system better/fairer?

Are you drunk at 2pm on a Tuesday? Half your sentences don’t make sense.

Despite all that, I do understand your point but if you have tried to address it, and everyone is basically telling you to mind your own business then… maybe it’s time to mind your own business.