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16 — Sunday, April 5, 1998 — North Shore News

north shore news

MAIL Ox

Parking response rebutted.

Dear Editor:

Re: (“Assumptions are no
help to the disabled,” March
LI letter ro the News editor).

It is unfortunate that fetter
writer Katherine Ivancic felt
victimized by a “rude repri-
mand” in the form of a nasty
note left on her windshield by
someone who mistakenly
thought that she was illegally
parked in a handicapped park-
ing space.

As a person with a disabili-
ty for the past 13 years, I feel
fully qualified to express. an
opinion on this issue. ‘The
main thrust of Ms. Ivancic’s
letter is that people who jump
to conclusions over what they

‘perceive as an abuse of 'a hand-
icapped parking space “does -

nothing to advance the plight
oF the handicapped in estab-

. Wrong.

lishing their rights.”

What nonsense! [have
never been upset or offended
upon receiving a dirty look or
disapproving comment from a
passerby who missed sccing
my parking permit as I pulled
my car into a handicapped
space.

My reply is always the same
in these situations: “Thanks
for vour concern, but as you
can see my wheelchair is in'the
backseat.”

This of course provokes an
immediate apology, which 1
assure them is not necessary.
Indeed, T wish that everyone
was as vigilant!

Ms Ivancic has got it all
In most circum-
stances, fear of receiving
scornful outrage from the
public is tke only thing pre-

» Play the Top.
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venting the wanton abuse of
designated handicapped park-
ing. It is true that there are
those who have a hidden dis-
ability, but do all people with
disabilities require access to
handicapped parking?

The answer is no, but the
reality is the peimits are all
TOO vasy to ECT.

Handicapped parking was
never intended as a conve-
nience for everyone with a
physical ailment. For people
who use wheelchairs, walkers,
or crutches, the location and
extra width of these spaces is
an absolute necessity — and
sadly, one that can no longer
be relied upon duc to the pro-
liferation of permits.

- Using common sense,

mos: people can recognize the

abuse of handicapped parking

when they see it. Those who
speak up when sce these abus-
es should be encoursged to
continue. After all, it is far
better to do the right thing
and risk making the odd mis-
take, thar to remain silent.
Brian Platts

North Vancouver
brian_platts@bc.sympatico,ca

a “Unlimited Lines

April ionig you Ca

m 00d and word
but only inthe

Classified Section «
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