A handicapped surfer?

[SHRED]

Oh I'm not talking about a legit person with a disability.
Here's what bothers me.

I go for walks near the beach where I live. There is a parking lot that is a State Park lot. They charge to park there.
Almost everytime I walk there an older guy with rightwing anti Hillary stickers on his van parks in the handicap parking. He hangs a blue plastic tag in his windshield.
I've seen him trotting around his van like nothing. He goes down the steps, into the ocean, and surfs no problem.

I think he is gaming the system. Using his phony handicap status to avoid the parking fees and also it's unfair to the actual handicapped.

Why do I hate hypocrites like this so much?

I want to ask him sarcastically, "Where do I get one of those blue tags so I can park for free?".

This is in California. San Elijo state beach.

[Fla Dem]

1. Yes gaming the system. Seen it often, not a lot , but enough to notice.

In some cases people get temporary tags for a short term disability. I'm not sure any LEO would check expiration dates on the tags, so I suspect many people use them beyond the expiration date.

Other situation is where someone in the family is legitimately disabled, but other family members use the tag even though the disabled person isn't in the car. I think that one bothers me the most.

Only drawing these conclusions from a situation I was aware of and observing what appears to be hale and hearty individuals using H/C tags to park in H/C spaces. I could of course be way out in left field on this.

[SHRED]

3. I wonder if I'm wrong but...

...I'm not able to come up with a disability that would let someone surf using every part of their intact body.

[Generic Brad]

21. Severe anxiety?

He could be debilitatingly fearful that someone will realize he is able bodied.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. My niece has a tag to use when her mother is with her.

There are some people who misuse that type of tag to park in handicap parking spots.

[drray23]

2. you have no idea what his condition entails

Plenty of people have handicaps that are not necessarily physical or obvious to the casual observer. Rules vary depending on the state. In many states if you are over 60 % disabled, you can qualify for one. That disability may not be obvious to the casual observer. Of course, he may indeed be scamming the system but its probably more likely he has a condition you don't know about.

[SHRED]

4. Not physical?

[lunamagica]

9. What physical condition would that be that allows him to surf, yet he needs a tag?

anyone who surfs is healthier and in better shape than the average person

[haele]

20. He might have severe asthma or arthritis. Sometimes he's okay, but he could get an attack quickly.

Granted, if he's out surfing on a regular basis, it may be a 60/40% chance his condition had improved and he just didn't inform the DMV he didn't need the tags anymore. But then again, it doesn't usually say on the paperwork he's supposed to keep with him what his disability is, so you don't know.

Personally, being "permanent partial" myself (Back screwed up and Right leg is at 1/2 capacity due to nerve damage) and having fought to get that placard, when I'm having a good day, I try not to use it if there's other parking spaces available within 50 ft., just in case someone who is worse off needs the spot. But I will use it if there's nothing available within a couple rows, because I might not be able to make it back to the car depending on what I'm doing and if I'm transporting anything back.

So, if he got the tag due to actual disabilities, you don't know how far he's capable of walking while carrying his gear after he went out surfing, either.

Haele

[Skittles]

14. true, except

anyone who can surf can walk the length of a parking lot

[mopinko]

6. if he is using a hang tag and he is alone, he is scamming.

hang tags are given to disabled people who cannot drive. they are only to be used when that person is in the car.
or it is a temp disability tag, and may be expired. see if you can get a look at the tag.

just walking into a store doesnt prove someone isnt disabled, but surfing? come on.

[TexasProgresive]

8. That's not true. We have a hang tag for my wife and she can drive.

We could've had the handicap license plates but went with the tag. When she 1st got the tag it was red and was for a shorter time. When her doc believed that she would continue to need it she recomended the blue tag which is good for several years. One thing to remember this likely varies by state.

[csziggy]

17. To have a disability permit in Florida you can be able to drive

You just have to have some kind of disability that reduces your ability to walk distances. My husband's aunt has a permit because of her heart problem. She can walk with a walker, but cannot go for very long distances. His mother had one because of her COPD. My father had one because he could not walk distances. due to spinal degeneration.

All Florida disability permits are hang tags. They no longer use stickers on the plates. The hang tags belong to the person who is disabled and can be used for any vehicle they are driving or riding in. My Mom is no longer permitted to drive, but she keeps her hang tag in her purse for the use of whoever is transporting her.

Also, in Florida the hang tags are blue for permanent - which are free and do not have to be renewed - and red for temporary - which are good for six months and have to be renewed at a cost of $15 per renewal. I had a temporary permit for a month before my first knee replacement which lasted to just before the physical therapy was completed for my second knee replacement.

Even when I had the tag, usually my husband drove me and he would drop me off and pick me up at the door so we did not tie up the limited number of handicapped spaces at most stores.

[TexasProgresive]

7. A Handicap tag resides in our car. I am not handicapped.

My wife has mobility problems due to a totally worn out knee. I only use the tag when she is with me. I probably get some looks because I've dropped her at the door and then park in a handicap spot. It often makes it where she doesn't have to wait a long time for me to come back to her or the pick her up at the door.

This guy must be abusing the system.

[OceanChick]

10. I have handicap license plates

I have MS and will become unconscious if I get too hot. Parking lots are my mortal enemy. I look fine so people give me looks sometimes especially when going to the gym. I want to tell them they can have my plates if they will take my MS.

The surfer could have some kind of brain malfunction like I do.

Please don't be so quick to judge - you never know what people are going through!

[mopinko]

11. i dont think s/he is being quick to judge.

said they had seen the guy several times, surfing.

[lunamagica]

12. I agree with you the one shouldn't be quick to judge, but the guy goes alone to surf?

he has to be in better shape and stronger than most. I just doesn't seem right

[OceanChick]

13. I was recently body surfing myself

But had trouble walking to the car afterwards. Being in the ocean is the most powerful medicine I can take.

Again, there's usually more than meets the eye.

Not to say that I haven't seen plenty of people abusing Grandpa's handicap sticker when I lived in Florida!

[WePurrsevere]

19. Exactly right! I'm an MSer too. It's not just invisible, it's also unpredictable...

Hour to hour... Day to day... it can be a wicked rollercoaster ride for some of us. We can literally feel pretty good and then, sometimes much quicker than we expect, be 'limp dish rag' exhausted complete with legs that feel like they're made of rubber.

MS certainly isn't the only invisible disease either. Yes, there are those who abuse tags and the system but unless you really know the person it's best not to assume or judge IMO.

[Cal Carpenter]

15. There are many different kinds of disabilities

not all are visible but they still can mean the person can benefit from convenient parking spaces. Yes, even if they can still surf.

Is it possible this person is a fraud? Sure.

Can you be certain this person is a fraud? No. So saying he's 'not..a legit person with a disability' is totally unfair. Regardless of his politics.

This is between this dude and his doctor. Or the cops, if you are certain he is a fraud. But really, it's none of your business.

[irisblue]

16. Are there other spaces available for people w/ HC tags/plates?

Is it that the guy has RW anti Hillary stuff that really bothers you? If he is using the last, the absolutely last HC space, then ~maybe-~I'd drop a dime on the car& guy. Otherwise, be cool & feel the gratitude that you don't need that spot & aren't reaping his karma.

[Goose3]

18. Handicap surfer and boat launcher

I understand your frustration, I do. However, there are many individuals with non visual handicaps we cannot see.

The boat launcher made me smile, as I thought of my own father. He had small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and non Hodgkin lymphoma. Though he was still able to walk, his body was riddled by cancer and the poison to attempt to kill the cancer. Yet he wanted to enjoy every moment of his last days on this earth. Unfortunately, he'd spent all summer fixing up an old boat he'd purchased just prior to his diagnosis, thus was only able to take her in the water only once before my mother forced him to sell it for fear he'd take off on his own and have a heart attack from the chemo or a stroke from the Chemo, with no one there to help him. It was his greatest joy the day my son and I went with him on that one and only boat launch. I don't think he used a handicapped area to park since he had the boat trailer. We parked in the area for those vehicles. He did use his sticker everywhere he went, because his lung capacity was not like yours or mine would be.

I purchased a riding lawnmower and nice new snowblower for him because he still wanted to do things himself. He would do his lawn, his neighbors lawns, bag their clippings, then drive his mower over to my home, do mine and my neighbors. The summer after he died, my neighbor across the street asked where my dad was, they hadn't seen him. He told no one he had cancer. They were shocked. They had no idea, as he always wore a hat.

The surfer could be someone with Ms, cancer, arthritis, RA, Fibromyalgia, heart disease, bad back, even fake limbs, there are so many more illnesses and diseases we cannot see which are eligible for a handicapped parking permit. It could be one of his "good days" where he's able to do his favorite sport, one more time.

There are a multitude of illnesses we are unable to see. Handicapped stickers aren't just for a broken leg, cane, crutches, limps, walkers and wheelchairs.
Please know, a physician does not simply hand out these applications for any patient who simply asks for one. There is a reason why they have it.

Unfortunately, there are also people who scam the system. These are the people who hurt the benefits of those who truly require the gifts of using a parking permit.

Unless you know the person and their reason for having it, it really should not be our concern or our frustration. Because, we don't know their story.

Should you truly suspect someone is abusing one,
rather than approaching someone as they're guilty of a scam, perhaps you could approach them in a more compassionate manner. Discover their story before you judge.

[raven mad]

22. My husband has one of those tags.

He doesn't "look" handicapped, but is a heart patient with nerve damage in his hip. Doesn't visibly limp. Had someone go off on him in a supermarket parking area about it. His IS legit.

[SHRED]

23. That's not right

Your situation is different. Sorry you all get hassled.

This guy I see (saw him yesterday) suits up in a wetsuit and goes surfing.

I will admit my bias toward him. One of his stickers on his van has a picture of Hillary with the caption, "Life's a bitch...don't vote for one".
I gather he's one of those hypocritical RW nuts that is abusing the system while pointing his finger at others. Like he's "owed". He parks for free while others pay.

[raven mad]

24. Boy, howdy, can I get behind you on that!

He doesn't do well on ice in extreme cold (we're in Interior Alaska), which is when the card is definitely needed. Only to drive to the grocery store/pharmacy/library/restaurant - and find cars with NO plates or cards parked in all the handicap only spots. The problem here, is none of the retailers will call in a tow or a cop. The cops can't do much, as most lots are on private property. We have one good friend, AK state trooper, who, if he's on duty and free to drop by, will scare the CRAP out of non-handicapped folks parked in a handicap only slot!

I know that sometimes folks will be chauffeuring someone who is handicapped. The thing is, those cards can go with the person (here anyway) into the chauffer's vehicle.

Our funniest experience was at a friend's restaurant - it was 48 below. I dropped him on the front entry and parked because - yep - no spaces available, no tag or cards - and went inside. There, the owner, a buddy, wondered why we came in separately, which we rarely do. I told him. Two of my favorite folks, local dog mushers, were also there. They immediately went outside and parked their monster dog trucks RIGHT BEHIND the 4 slots that were in handicap spaces. Whoever parked there HAD to come back in and request they move a truck................. and got a HUGE lecture on just how important it was to not steal spots. I guess word got around, because the next few times, NO non-tagged/carded vehicles were in the spaces!

Mushers are the greatest, as is our friend's restaurant!