How should we treat disabled people? For starters, maybe you should try NOT to look down on them.
Jerry, 62, shared with Stomp of how he received a very vile note that offended him greatly, berating him for not parking in a handicap lot. The thing is, the man purposely left the spot empty to offer it to people with more urgent or severe need.
He admitted that he has been using a walking stick ever since a traffic accident in 2014, thus allowing him to use the handicap label.
“When I applied for the handicap label, I was told that I should just park in a regular parking lot if given the opportunity, and leave the handicap lots for those with wheelchairs instead,” Jerry said.
Source: Inclusive Design
Just got home from work, December 17th, Jerry parked his car at a multi-storey carpark at Block 699D Hougang Street 52 and went home.
He continued, “I normally park in the handicap lot but since there were normal lots available that day, I decided to park in one.”
Imagine his surprise the next morning when he saw the unpleasant note on his windscreen.
Written on a piece of paper was;
Source: Stomp
“Since you have a disabled label, why can’t you park in the handicap lot instead of depriving other drivers of this normal lot? You are physically handicapped, you are not retarded, right?”
Jerry said that the note doesn’t make him angry or upset as he could only feel sorry for the writer.
“The moron who wrote this message is either ignorant or too stupid to know that drivers like me leave handicap lots for other handicapped drivers if and when an empty (and spacious enough) lot is available.”
Jerry also admitted that upon receiving the label, he had been advised by SG Enable to assist others whenever possible.
“No doubt I have a handicap label, but that does not mean I have to park in a handicap lot all the time. There’s no need to make a big hoo-ha.
“I feel sorry for this person because it’s so silly of him.”
Obviously disappointed, Jerry concluded, “It’s the first time in five years something like this has happened to me.”
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Also read: 50yo ‘Spider-Man’ Does Poses Georgetown To Pay For Disabled Wife’s Medical Bill
