Disabled cars in Parent and Child spaces

[Mummybexee]

I'm fortunate enough to not be disabled and so is my hubby and son

P+T are a privilege not the law

I would rather struggle and let a less abled person have the space -

 

[Mackmummy]

My only concern with parent spaces is that I am often on my own, I can't risk using a normal space because if someone parks too close to me I can't get oscar back in the cat, I would have to leave him at the side while I reversed out to get him in and I couldn't do that!f there is no space I often end up going back home.

 

[Louise2013]

Without wanting to cause offence, I have to admit I am legitimately stunned at the number of people claiming if they can't get a parent and child space, that they go home? I just cannot understand it. What on earth do you do when having to use a 'normal' non-proviso car park? The doctors' surgery for example, or the hospital car park? Or perhaps the local pub, town council car park or beach car park? Or do you just not go out full stop unless you know the location/venue has parent and child spaces? If a place is big enough to have parent and child spaces, it is almost certainly big enough to have a shed load of 'unused' parking spaces to the far end of the car park where no-one ever boxes anyone in. If, when the P&T spaces are full, that's considered 'too far to walk', then clearly the issue isn't the need to get a bigger parking space, it's just a case of preferring the convenience of parking nearer the store. And even if you do get boxed in, there are plenty of other options than to reverse out while leaving your LO by the side of the car? I'd personally take the reg. number, go into the store and get them called over the tannoy to move it. But either way, the 'risk' of getting boxed in is by no means high enough to limit my day-to-day activities. On the, what, one hundred trips out I've made on my own with my LO since he was born, to areas where no P&T space is available, I can only recall one incident where I couldn't get in the vehicle due to somebody else's bad parking. Tannoy wasn't an option in that location, as it wasn't a supermarket, so as I wasn't in a rush, I just carried on shopping for a bit until it was no longer a problem.....stopped for a nice cuppa and made a few phone calls I'd been meaning to do for a while.

Anyway, I have said more than my tuppenceworth on this topic I expect and I must confess I can feel I'm losing a little more faith in humanity as I go on ; most of all, and back on topic, I'm just grateful neither me, my OH nor my LO have a need for a disabled space. But on the above point, and being blunt about it, I am an adult, and I am more than capable of coping in a scenario where the luxury of a parent and child space isn't open to me and my child.

First world problems.

xxxxx

 

[Mackmummy]

If the car park doesn't have parent and child spaces I try to get one on the end so I have room to get oscar in and out, for this reason I always turn up to things ridiculously early. There is no way I am leaving my child on the side of the road unattended while I move my car to an area where I can get him in! I think social services and the police might be a bit concerned. And it's nothing to do with anywhere being too far to walk, I often walk to the doctors as that has a small car park, that's a five mile round trip. That was a bit difficult the first few months as I had a bad recovery from my c section which didn't heal properly for four months and I had suspected liver function problems which made me feel like I had flu constantly, I still never used any disabled spaces and never would. The car parks in question usually cater for a number of shops so I wouldn't know which tannoy to head for and as for just waiting around until the person leaves I don't usually have that luxury as I'm on my own during the week and have a lot to do. I never said I use disabled do aces and i never said I objected to anyone being genuinely disabled using a parent and child space, I was merely pointing out an issue I have but as with many of the threads on this site people feel they have to jump down other peoples throats to make a stand, it's a shame as I thought this site was to air issues, problems and concerns. If you didn't intend your post to cause offence I suggest you tone it down and try to look at things from other peoples point of view and not just your own.

 

[Louise2013]

If the car park doesn't have parent and child spaces I try to get one on the end so I have room to get oscar in and out, for this reason I always turn up to things ridiculously early. There is no way I am leaving my child on the side of the road unattended while I move my car to an area where I can get him in! I think social services and the police might be a bit concerned. And it's nothing to do with anywhere being too far to walk, I often walk to the doctors as that has a small car park, that's a five mile round trip. That was a bit difficult the first few months as I had a bad recovery from my c section which didn't heal properly for four months and I had suspected liver function problems which made me feel like I had flu constantly, I still never used any disabled spaces and never would. The car parks in question usually cater for a number of shops so I wouldn't know which tannoy to head for and as for just waiting around until the person leaves I don't usually have that luxury as I'm on my own during the week and have a lot to do. I never said I use disabled do aces and i never said I objected to anyone being genuinely disabled using a parent and child space, I was merely pointing out an issue I have but as with many of the threads on this site people feel they have to jump down other peoples throats to make a stand, it's a shame as I thought this site was to air issues, problems and concerns. If you didn't intend your post to cause offence I suggest you tone it down and try to look at things from other peoples point of view and not just your own.

As you will note from my post, I never even remotely suggested anyone EVER leave their child unattended at the side of the road. You've also taken my post as a personal slight on you; where in that post am I saying YOU use disabled spaces? As is clear from mine, and others posts on this, the point is, if a lack of a P&T space requires people to go home, what do they do in environments where none are available? I genuinely wanted to know - I still do! As I said, it was not a post intended to offend anyone, but I do feel you've taken 2+2 and come up with nineteen.

But the latter part of your last sentence hit the nail on the head. xxx

 

[Lyllian]

When it happened to me last weekend to be fair I couldn't go into the shop as it was a retail park so I wouldn't know where to start! There is also restraints etc so they could have been gone hours so waiting wouldn't really have been an option. I haven't ever gone home if there's no p&c spaces but I can potentially see me crying in a car park one day when I can't get in my car lol. It's ok to stop for coffee etc if you have time. I think they should really be parent and baby spaces not child, I don't see why someone with say a six year old needs the extra space? So I vote we change that too whilst we're here. I think folk round here think I'm a terrible.driver cause I park.over two spaces when I can, either that or i dink your door,your call!

 

[Louise2013]

When it happened to me last weekend to be fair I couldn't go into the shop as it was a retail park so I wouldn't know where to start! There is also restraints etc so they could have been gone hours so waiting wouldn't really have been an option. I haven't ever gone home if there's no p&c spaces but I can potentially see me crying in a car park one day when I can't get in my car lol. It's ok to stop for coffee etc if you have time. I think they should really be parent and baby spaces not child, I don't see why someone with say a six year old needs the extra space? So I vote we change that too whilst we're here. I think folk round here think I'm a terrible.driver cause I park.over two spaces when I can, either that or i dink your door,your call!

Nope, I agree with you - the issues largely pertain to access for baby carriers etc. In fact, a six year old is going to have less trouble getting in and out of a vehicle in restricted space than I would; but that might be because of my new found fascination with mars bar slices

 

[Lyllian]

Restraunts not restraints, what kind if weird ass retail park would that be but yes would equally cause problems with timings!

 

[Louise2013]

Restraunts not restraints, what kind if weird ass retail park would that be but yes would equally cause problems with timings!

Hahaha! Lol x

 

[Mackmummy]

If the car park doesn't have parent and child spaces I try to get one on the end so I have room to get oscar in and out, for this reason I always turn up to things ridiculously early. There is no way I am leaving my child on the side of the road unattended while I move my car to an area where I can get him in! I think social services and the police might be a bit concerned. And it's nothing to do with anywhere being too far to walk, I often walk to the doctors as that has a small car park, that's a five mile round trip. That was a bit difficult the first few months as I had a bad recovery from my c section which didn't heal properly for four months and I had suspected liver function problems which made me feel like I had flu constantly, I still never used any disabled spaces and never would. The car parks in question usually cater for a number of shops so I wouldn't know which tannoy to head for and as for just waiting around until the person leaves I don't usually have that luxury as I'm on my own during the week and have a lot to do. I never said I use disabled do aces and i never said I objected to anyone being genuinely disabled using a parent and child space, I was merely pointing out an issue I have but as with many of the threads on this site people feel they have to jump down other peoples throats to make a stand, it's a shame as I thought this site was to air issues, problems and concerns. If you didn't intend your post to cause offence I suggest you tone it down and try to look at things from other peoples point of view and not just your own.

As you will note from my post, I never even remotely suggested anyone EVER leave their child unattended at the side of the road. You've also taken my post as a personal slight on you; where in that post am I saying YOU use disabled spaces? As is clear from mine, and others posts on this, the point is, if a lack of a P&T space requires people to go home, what do they do in environments where none are available? I genuinely wanted to know - I still do! As I said, it was not a post intended to offend anyone, but I do feel you've taken 2+2 and come up with nineteen.

But the latter part of your last sentence hit the nail on the head. xxx

Can't help but feel it was against me as it was directly after my post and related to what I had said so I think 2+2 does equal 4. At he fact you start your sentence with "without wanting to cause offence" generally implies you realise you may be causing offence. And I've now told you what we have to do when there are no parent parking spaces. You're welcome.

 

[Louise2013]

If the car park doesn't have parent and child spaces I try to get one on the end so I have room to get oscar in and out, for this reason I always turn up to things ridiculously early. There is no way I am leaving my child on the side of the road unattended while I move my car to an area where I can get him in! I think social services and the police might be a bit concerned. And it's nothing to do with anywhere being too far to walk, I often walk to the doctors as that has a small car park, that's a five mile round trip. That was a bit difficult the first few months as I had a bad recovery from my c section which didn't heal properly for four months and I had suspected liver function problems which made me feel like I had flu constantly, I still never used any disabled spaces and never would. The car parks in question usually cater for a number of shops so I wouldn't know which tannoy to head for and as for just waiting around until the person leaves I don't usually have that luxury as I'm on my own during the week and have a lot to do. I never said I use disabled do aces and i never said I objected to anyone being genuinely disabled using a parent and child space, I was merely pointing out an issue I have but as with many of the threads on this site people feel they have to jump down other peoples throats to make a stand, it's a shame as I thought this site was to air issues, problems and concerns. If you didn't intend your post to cause offence I suggest you tone it down and try to look at things from other peoples point of view and not just your own.

As you will note from my post, I never even remotely suggested anyone EVER leave their child unattended at the side of the road. You've also taken my post as a personal slight on you; where in that post am I saying YOU use disabled spaces? As is clear from mine, and others posts on this, the point is, if a lack of a P&T space requires people to go home, what do they do in environments where none are available? I genuinely wanted to know - I still do! As I said, it was not a post intended to offend anyone, but I do feel you've taken 2+2 and come up with nineteen.

But the latter part of your last sentence hit the nail on the head. xxx

Can't help but feel it was against me as it was directly after my post and related to what I had said so I think 2+2 does equal 4. At he fact you start your sentence with "without wanting to cause offence" generally implies you realise you may be causing offence. And I've now told you what we have to do when there are no parent parking spaces. You're welcome.

Then thanks xx

 

[Pumpkin9]

I admit I find it annoying when I can't get a space but if I have to park Elsewhere I will. I only genuinely get angry then the people I see park are clearly able bodied and have grown up children (2 weeks ago I saw a woman park and her 13 and 15 year old got out!! Now that annoyed me. If it was someone that was disabled (perhaps I wouldn't be able to tell depending on what it was) then it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.
Regardless of person I never approach people about it, life's too short and I can manage elsewhere

 

[Toria111]

My father in law has a blue badge because he has arthritis in his hands. And he's told me that if there's no disabled parks, he is allowed to park in the parent and child? I told him he must have read it wrong, cause seriously he'd get a telling off from me if I caught him doing that. There's nothing wrong with his legs.

Of course he's allowed. Anyone is allowed to park in p&c spaces, disabled or not. They're not legally protected.

For people saying you *need* p&c spaces, what do you do in car parks that don't have them? Round here it's mainly only supermarkets that have them, anywhere else just has normal spaces and disabled. I manage and I've got a wide people carrier and I take the whole car seat out to put on the chassis.

Fgs, having a child is completely different to having a disability. It amazes me that anyone could think that they're more entitled to a space than a blue badge holder. It's not even easy to get a blue badge these days, you have to have a serious need.

It does irritate me when non-disabled people without children use the p&c spaces but they are still just as entitled to - they're only provided as a courtesy and can't be legally enforced. It is a bit selfish though, unless no other spaces are left.

That's kinda my point. I have no idea how he got the blue badge. He's fine other than arthritis in his hands which is managed with medication. I don't think he should be taking a disabled space over other disabled people.

 

[Toria111]

Well I guess it all depends on everyone's local car parks. We can't assume everyone's are the same size, with same size parks etc. thinking about my town, I'm sure there are lots of people including me who would go home if I can't get a parent and child park or one of about 6 standard parks in the town that for various reasons have more space. I've tried, and when I've got the bigger car I can literally not open the doors to get anyone out.

 

[iWitch]

I actually processed blue badges for 5 years! To meet the criteria you can't walk over x amount of yards without being in pain, becoming breathlessness, etc or you have to have high rate mobility component of DLA.

A person who genuinely needs a blue badge should need to be closer to the shops and possibly the ability to swing the door out wide to get out. You're all banging on about getting car seats out but what about those who use walking sticks or even wheelchairs? If you used a disabled space & a person in a wheelchair needed that space then shame on you.

Remember not only do those spaces help maintain people's independence but they also help maintain dignity (not having to ask for assistance, being able to get to the toilet quicker so they don't have accidents etc) so yes, annoying as it may be for a p&c space not to be available I wouldn't mind it someone with a blue badge parked there.

Also, I know a lot of people have these and shouldn't but how do you judge? To anyone my nan looked fine, walked fine & people would throw her a dirty look but what you didn't know is she had serious heart problems and had suffered 7 heart attacks & was lucky to be alive. She was told she should walk no further than her door to her garden gate without support.

 

[Lyllian]

I don't think anyone's said they park in disabled spaces have they? Or have I just not read it :/

 

[Jojo84]

I hsvent read this whole thread (sorry, it's long) but I have to say I gave no issue at all with this.

I work with people with disabilities as a support and enabling worker and from time to time disabled space are full so we have to park further away and this can really impact their health - I'd much rather oark further away and walk to allow someone else to park closer that need to. I've squeezed my little boy out of cars, I've taken him out other doors and it's just the way it's had to be.

Parent parking bays aren't protected by laws, just courtesy rules (as far as I'm aware) and I do think it's courtesy to let people less able use the closer spots.

Now if someone parks there and there's no child and no disability then I can see an issue, but not in this case.

 

[JD.Deedee]

Anyone not understand that a disabled person can park in them bays because they are disabled and you are not so no you can't park in the disabled parking when parent and child are full.

Be grateful you've got a healthy set of legs. I remember them days parent and child parking was unheard off.

But then again I don't drive yet and I walk to the supermarket and back, so I highly doubt I'd ever care too much if I had to walk a tiny bit further.

Very pathetic people are wasting their breath getting worked up about it.

 

[Mummybexee]

^ that last sentence! Sums it up for me!

Can't believe so many people getting so worked up!

Hope your never unfortunate to be labeled as disabled!

 

[Lyllian]

Wait wait wait...where in this did anyone say they park in disabled spaces??? Jeez oh... Don't start a fight about something that no one even said. And on a side note to somewhat echo Mackmummy point earlier,have an opinion yes, but don't berate others who have a different one And jumpndown their throats and make out their views or feelings aren't legitimate. Ignorance. Honestly stop attacking each other it's a conversation why does it have to turn so blooming personal all the time