This week I had an appointment for a haircut and the woman I’ve been going to has moved the business. I like to drive by ahead of time to see how accessible the location is, but this time I didn’t get a chance. The easiest for me is for my husband to drop me off and pick me up, but he couldn’t this time and I’d rather be independent and take myself.
My first dilemma is whether to use the wheelchair or the walker. For a hair appointment, I would rather use the walker. Now I have to remove the wheelchair from the back seat and put the walker in. Hopeful I will find a good parking space and not have to walk too far. I’m already nervous because it is a new location, so I set Waze to the new address and found it with no problem, that was the next step, (finding the location) done. So far, so good.
It is located in a one level office park. I drive until I see the salon and notice there are no handicapped parking spaces out front. There is one across from the salon, which is not too far, but then I notice if I park there, there is no ramp to get over the curb. I can’t use my walker going over a curb because I get disoriented and lose my balance. While I’m noticing this, I see there are three steps up to the salon with no railing.
I look around and see a handicapped spot about four office fronts down from the salon. That will have to do, since it is the only one with a ramp. There is no extra space to unload a wheelchair or walker, (like some handicapped spaces have). The ramp is very small, about 3′ and directly in the middle of the parking space. I carefully remove the walker, (there is a car parked next to the space). I start to text the hairdresser that I am there and I will need help up the stairs. I don’t send the text because if she goes to the door she won’t see me, (the spot is that far away). I keep my phone open and hope it doesn’t fall off the walker and head towards the ramp. Well the ramp is so small, there is no room between the front of my car to get directly onto the ramp. There was also a curb to stop the car, (I don’t know what they’re called). I tried to maneuver around all of this and I got nervous and the walker only touched the ground with three wheels and again my balance was off. Right now I am cursing out loud, Fuck this! WHO THE HELL DESIGNS THESE PARKING LOTS! DO THEY USE A HANDICAPPED PERSON WHEN THEY DO? I DOUBT IT!
I get up on the sidewalk, sweating and trying to recover my balance and start to walk and then I put on my mask and send the text. She meets me outside and helps me into the salon. I am cranky and apologize and tell her why. She is very understanding and mentions that it was the second time a customer of hers had a problem. She also acknowledged that she did not realize how much of a problem it was. I understood. Unless you are faced with having to get around with limited means, you don’t see it, which we all know.
There are many problems with Handicapped parking spaces.
- The ease at which these permits are given. If you already have one, you just update it online when it expires, without having to prove handicapped status
- Enforcement of tickets given to people who park there illegally. (I know, the police have better things to do)
- The biggest problem I see is the designing of these parking lots. Legally, whomever is in charge of the project has to abide by a certain set of rules as to how many spaces are to be provided. They comply with the barest minimum they can get away with.
- Finally the lazy people who blatantly use others permits and some who park there not even using a permit, thinking they’re just running in and won’t be long. Shame on you!
I am tempted to write to my congresswoman and right now I think I will. I go back and forth thinking it is not important enough for a congressperson, but I don’t think I’m the only one dealing with this problem.. I would love to hear input from others sharing their stories of maneuvering around parking lots.