I went to Target today, and as usual I parked in a handicap space. Just as I was getting out of the car, a grumpy man walked up to me and said, “You don’t look very disabled to me.” Before I had two seconds to think, I smiled broadly and replied, “That’s because you are an idiot.” The look on the guy’s face was priceless, and I started laughing in spite of myself. I’ve never done anything like that before in my life, and I don’t plan to do it again, but it really felt soooo good!

MARION!!! I must say I am SHOCKED!!!

Good for you, woman! You ROCK!!!

Shocked isn't the word...Delighted is more like it..

We should all carry those tiny key-chain cameras with us so we can snap a picture of these morons when they have that priceless look after we've put them in their place!!

Good for you!!

Sounds like the guy had a medical condition of severe constipation??

I only yell at people when they deserve it!

You go girl!!

*Bestowing official Smart Aleck's honors upon fair Marion*

A+

My usual response is

"im sorry officer, I didnt realize they had you patroling this lot today. Tomorrow I will drag a leg and act the part better."


My husband once said "what do you think this is?!" as he smacks on the front pants leg of his jeans. as if he was missing a limb or had a fake leg. I almost spit out my gum!

Well, I am going to be in the minority here with my reaction...

I have to wonder what motivated him to speak up. I really do need a handicapped parking space and my reaction is to like that he said something, even if he was a bit rude.

I think he could have been thanked and you could have explained that you have Multiple Sclerosis. Even educate him as to why you NEED to park there. Do you have to justify yourself? NO!!! But to explain would be a different way to handle it.

But it is an opportunity to have him learn, maybe guilt him into a donation to NMSS!

Because it is difficult for me to walk across a parking lot, I do look at someone getting out of a car easily and wonder if he/she is using the placard that belongs to a family member rather than actually need it him/herself.

I want people to speak up for me because I have seen those spaces abused.

The man may have had good intentions albeit that he could have expressed himself in an appropriate way but I am glad there are those that do care to keep handicapped places open for people like me.

I just had to add my two cents worth on this.

Way to go, Marion! Sometimes, you just have to let it out!

I've had people stare at me, until I bring Montana my service dog out of the back of the car. He's like the best advertisement of my disability. Then, DH drags out my rollator from the trunk, and I'm set.

We did have a very rude cashier last week. It still makes me furious when I think about her. My husband had major surgery three weeks ago. As we walked up to the check-out, DH asked the cashier if she could get someone to unload the cart for us, as he had just had surgery. She looked at him and said "well, you were able to load the cart, why can't you unload it?"

I was shocked. I unloaded the cart, muttering under my breath. Then, when we were finished, I walked up to her and said "Would it have killed you to get someone to help us?" She said something about thinking about that after she said what she did, but she never apologized or anything.

I told her that I hoped she acted nicer when someone else asked her for help.

I love what you said! I never ever question anyone using the handicap spots. Even when they don't look handicap because they may look good getting out of the car but doesn't mean by the time they come out they wont be having a hard time. I think this comes from so many people giving Jim a hard time when he was 22 and on a cane. He didn't "look" like he was having a hard time even though he used a cane. But I will promise you by the time he came out to get back in the car it would be all he could do to get there. If I remember correctly he could walk about 100 steps before his legs started shaking.

I may have to use your comment someday when I am being stared at getting out of our van to come around and meet Jim. Sometimes he takes a minute to open the side door and oh the looks coming from those around me are priceless. It's not a mean look, but one of questioning. Gotta love a small town! lol