I am continually amazed and incessantly saddened by the actions of an inconsiderate few.  I write, in particular, of the disregard for human decency in any given parking lot.

One of the basic rules of the road is that when something is blue, whether it is paint on the ground, a sign, or a parking meter, it’s designating for a handicapped person.  And without a permit or license, it is illegal to park there.  However, sadly, and a bit surprisingly, it is not a rarity to see a car parked illegally in these blue delineated spots.  People often excuse their behavior with statements such as "I was only going in for a minute," or "There were other spots available for people who need them."

Even more amazing is the occurrence of cars being parked on the diagonal blue stripes next to the handicapped spots.  Now, I needn’t point out that it is illegal to park on any diagonal stripes, so why would one think it appropriate to park on the blue ones?  Decal or not, this is a punishable offense.  More importantly, it inhibits others.  When it becomes impossible for someone to get into their car, for example, because they are in a wheelchair and there is no longer room for their ramp to emerge, that is a problem.  Most of us get impatient at a stoplight; how would it feel to have to wait for someone to move his or her car so you could access yours?  But I guess that’s okay, since they were only going in for a minute…   

I write not out of anger, but out of disappointment and the hope for a bit more respect for others.  If nothing else, let’s look at it this way:  There is a reason they have that permit.  Obviously there is a battle they are fighting, in many cases, worse than anyone knows.  Let’s not make parking another struggle.