An Open Letter To Non-Wheelchair Users That Park In Handicap Spots

Dear Non-Wheelchair User Who Is Constantly Parking In Handicap Spots,

When I was younger I was secretly jealous of you. I was jealous that you got to park all the way in the front of the parking lot - so much closer to your destination. What a luxury it must of been for you being able to be so close. You never had to walk far anywhere you went.

In my mind you had it made. You never had to walk long distances in the Disneyland parking lots to get to your car. The list in my 12 year old mind goes on and on.

Lets fast forward to my 16th birthday when I was injured in a skiing accident leaving me paralyzed from the neck down. This accident made me eligible for a handicap parking placard.

Yeah, that jealously I explained about up there. With me, a once 12 year old immature girl experienced was nearly gone with the wind after my accident. I didn't want to go near those handicap spots. I didn't want to be "handicap." I despised that word, that label. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with any part of it.

But life doesn't work that way.

My accident made it impossible to park in some parking spots because my wheelchair needs x amount of space between cars - so I can open the door enough to place my chair on the side to get to and from my car.

So while, I am squeezing tightly to get myself out in between my car and another is because I decide not to park in handicap spots most of the time is because I have a lot of friends who have big vans with ramps that have to roll out so that they have enough room to get out of the car. They need 6 feet in between cars so that they can get out of their car successfully. That is why it is essential that they park in handicap parking spots.

I am heading to the mall, I get there and there are no handicap spots available. I then drive the very back of the parking lot to double park because that is the only way to get in and out of my car. While I'm exhausting from pushing uphill in my chair from the back of the lot to the front - I stroll up YOU the to a 16- year old able bodied kid with a temporary handicap placard that is expired with a knee brace on - running to his car.

His car that is parked in a handicap spot.

So it's hard enough having a spinal cord injury and all the things that go along with that, but imagine going somewhere and having only 3 or 4 spots in the ENTIRE parking lot that was possible to park in because of a disability you DIDN'T ask for?

It's not just frustrating. It's maddening.

I am aware that disabilties come in all shapes and sizes. Some disabilities are very visible to the eye and some are not. I am not saying that wheelchair user's disabilities are superior to non-wheelchair users who have disabilities. If you disability and legs that leave you able to you park 3 spaces down where you can then walk to your destination, PLEASE DO IT.

It is near impossible for some of these KIDS, yes kids, with spinal cord injuries and other types of paralysis to find handicap parking 10/10 times everywhere they go. It would be incredible to be able to go somewhere and not have to have raised anxiety levels because there is no where to park. Because you are parked there.

So Non-Wheelchair User, the next time you decide to park in a handicap spot because it's "convenient for you" think about how hard of a day you are making for someone who already is living in an incredibly tough life situation. A situation that I didn't ask for.

The reason why handicap parking is also called accessible parking because people who need it 24/7 should be always be able to ACCESS it.

To Non Wheelchair Users I say this with all due respect - it's not too late to change your parking spot and perspective towards this extremely serious issue that gravely affects so many people around the world. It's never too late to make the decision to always park a couple rows back because someone else may need the spot more than you do.

When I go out to my desired destination, I don't inhibit you from living your life so what gives you the right to inhibit mine?

Sincerely,

Natalie Buchoz