Parking privileges for pregnant women

[Cataboo]

What bugs me is people using a disabled pass that clearly belongs to someone else in their family; there aren't many of those spots to go around.

I know a couple people who have disabled passes who look perfectly healthy - yet have horrible chronic conditions that they need those passes for. It's very easy to assume that because someone looks normal that they don't have a right to use a handicap space, but you really can't see in what shape someone's heart or any other organs are just by looking at them.

I also if I'm driving someone with a handicap pass, will quite often drop them off in front of the building and then go park in the handicap spot myself since we're probably going to walk to the car together.

[Biciclista]

Cataboo, that very well may be but let's face it, the most popular parking spaces are right next to the handicap spaces And most handicapped people that can walk SHOULD walk. and the same goes for all those other people parked right next to the door!!!
For most of us, a little walk can't hurt us...

[Cataboo]

Cataboo, that very well may be but let's face it, the most popular parking spaces are right next to the handicap spaces And most handicapped people that can walk SHOULD walk. and the same goes for all those other people parked right next to the door!!!
For most of us, a little walk can't hurt us...

I obviously hang out with way more incapacitated people than you do And spend a lot more time being the caregiver to people who need a lot of support because of poor balance in combination with poor vision. Yes, walking is good for people, but generally speaking it's best to get that exercise walking done in a controlled environment with no curbs, obstacles, ands lots of passerbys - because you would be absolutely amazed how many people will just shove past someone walking with a cane or a walker. That's when walking for them is best when you take them to a shopping mall early in the morning before its open or out on a track if the weather is good. Because what potentially will happen in falls is catastrophic.

And much like mothers with young children, caregivers who are having to support someone, guide their walking, while carrying personal items for both of them... are not having an easy time of it no matter how healthy they are and handicapped spaces help.

I don't presume to know why someone has a handicapped parking pass or to judge them for using one. It's none of my business.

[lph]

what really gets me is the way so many stores are built to accommodate cars while people on foot don't get safe passage. What are pedestrians supposed to be doing out in a parking lot in the first place?! Our large residential area has very restricted access for cars and is very child- and pedestrian friendly, but to go grocery shopping 400 yards away you have to cross the road (on an ok ped crossing), but then cross diagonally across the entire entrance area to the parking lot, which has no designated walking areas, is almost unlit and where drivers come zooming up from the highway and swerve in to grab some groceries before heading home. It's bloody lethal, and idiotic planning. It was the one place I was worried about letting my son walk to when he was smaller - the local grocery store And he has had the run of the neighbourhood and the local woods since he was school age.

[shootingstar]

what really gets me is the way so many stores are built to accommodate cars while people on foot don't get safe passage. What are pedestrians supposed to be doing out in a parking lot in the first place?!

I hope folks here remember that I have several sisters who have had several multiple pregnancies and so got to hear their complaints..usually in final trimester. Not before.

Obviously I need to get pregnant to truly know...

OR like everyone else we will all grow old and more frail over time, so we will experience the shoddy treatment that we will receive from time to time.

As for safe pedestrian walkways, lph. I totally agree. The more we plan helpful safe walkways now..it will benefit way more people in the end.

[Biciclista]

Shooting star, your sisters had several multiple pregnancies? Lots of twins and triplets? how many??

Cataboo,you're right, I'm sorry. I have just known a few people with handicapped permits who REALLY would have been okay without them. I've just watched the wheel chair set of our society grow exponentially in my life and it scares the dickens out of me.

[Cataboo]

Shooting star, your sisters had several multiple pregnancies? Lots of twins and triplets? how many??

Cataboo,you're right, I'm sorry. I have just known a few people with handicapped permits who REALLY would have been okay without them. I've just watched the wheel chair set of our society grow exponentially in my life and it scares the dickens out of me.

Oh, no worries - it's actually harder to get a handicapped parking pass than you would think, at least it is here (my father once had to bring my little brother in a wheelchair to the DMV because they were giving him such a hardtime and refusing to give him a placard despite having the correct paperwork). It's sort of like getting disability or being prescribed pain meds, despite the fact it seems like everyone's abusing it, it's really hard for those who actually need it to get it.

I have a friend from high school who got swine flu a year and a half ago - it got into her lungs and she couldn't clear it for about 5 months, and she's been diagnosed with at least 3 chronic illnesses over the last year. Most days, she can barely get out of bed. Yet, she has to keep her job and for the most part, she looks fine. Tired, but fine. So the whole looking fine while being very sick has made it difficult for her to get her job to be flexible (many doctor letters later, she's allowed to work from home half the week) and she does have a handicapped parking pass. There are a few times when I've encouraged her to do a lot of walking (okay, by a lot, I'm talking about 8 blocks or maybe a mile, so really not a lot...) and she does do it. But what happens is that she spends the next few days paying for that exertion and unable to work or get out of bed. I have been places with her that people wouldn't believe she had anything wrong with her or give her access to handicap spots because of it. I know her well enough to know that she's never been a lazy person, and she hates the limitations on her life. And I hope that in the future she finds a way to manage things so that she can function and doesn't need handicapped parking, 'cause she's in her mid 30s and possibly facing spending the rest of her life like this... But the reality is that she does need handicapped parking until she or the doctors figure out a way for her to function. But she also shouldn't have to justify or explain her entire medical history to people that think she looks fine and shouldn't be using handicapped parking.

So, it's easy to say people need to walk and it's good for them. And I agree, americans don't do nearly enough walking. And i guess I'm being naive thinking that most people who have a handicapped parking spot would be quite happy to give that up for better health and that most family members of people who have a handicapped parking spot realize how important those spots are to the actually handicapped and don't abuse them.

[PamNY]

Apparently the proposed bill in NYC would require a doctor's note stating that the woman is experiencing physical or mobility challenges.

I'll bet ob-gyns have mixed feelings about this, considering all the requests they would likely get.

[OakLeaf]

I wonder. There was just that report the other day that said there is no known medical benefit to bed rest during pregnancy, yet it's prescribed to thousands of women...

[zoom-zoom]

I wonder. There was just that report the other day that said there is no known medical benefit to bed rest during pregnancy, yet it's prescribed to thousands of women...

And look at the rate of c-sections today vs. even 20-30 years ago. Over a third of babies can't possibly require surgical birth. I know mine didn't. With a different doc I sure as heck wouldn't have an 8" scar on my lower abdomen.

[PamNY]

I wonder if part of the impetus for this bill would be difficulty in carrying things more than walking.

Remember, this is not a situation where most stores have parking lots or where most people live in houses with a driveway. If I had a car, I would garage it at least a half mile away from home, and that's not at all unusual.

There is literally no legal place to park (during the business day) where I live. When I go camping, for example, I have to either park in an illegal spot or double-park to drop off my gear.

I happen to live in an elevator building with a doorman, but lots of people don't. I've never been pregnant, but I assume that carrying heavy things might be a problem during the later stages of a complicated pregnancy. Add to that the necessity of climbing 3-4 flights of stairs in your building (which is not unusual) -- I can see where some people would ask for relief.

I don't think this bill is a good idea, but I am in awe of people who raise children in a walkup apartment (and plenty of people do).

[Crankin]

I tend to agree with Marni and Jolt, but I do know there are real reasons that women may have restrictions to activity, carrying things, such as pre-eclampsia.
As far as the bed rest, well, I went into premature labor at 30 weeks, 5 days after a bike accident, where the down tube shifter jammed into my stomach . I probably shouldn't have been riding, but after I was stabilized, I was told to stay home from work, but I did not have to stay in bed. There was some bleeding involved, so they had concerns about abruption of the placenta. Still, no one told me to lie down all day. My mom did have to come and stay with us for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks, I couldn't keep up with my 2 and half year old, pick him up, or drive. During the last 2 weeks, I got sick of it, drove myself to the doctor each week, took the kid to play group, and just dealt with it.
I had 2 totally natural vaginal deliveries after having an emergency C section at 8 months, with my first child, who was born with many physical issues and only lived for a day. Other than having an ultra sound at a certain point in each pregnancy to check for problems, my doctor never considered that I would have to have another C-section. Maybe because this was back in the 80's and we weren't so lawsuit happy?

[shootingstar]

I was told to stay home from work, but I did not have to stay in bed. There was some bleeding involved, so they had concerns about abruption of the placenta. Still, no one told me to lie down all day. My mom did have to come and stay with us for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks, I couldn't keep up with my 2 and half year old, pick him up, or drive. During the last 2 weeks, I got sick of it, drove myself to the doctor each week, took the kid to play group, and just dealt with it.
I had 2 totally natural vaginal deliveries after having an emergency C section at 8 months, with my first child, who was born with many physical issues and only lived for a day. Other than having an ultra sound at a certain point in each pregnancy to check for problems, my doctor never considered that I would have to have another C-section. Maybe because this was back in the 80's and we weren't so lawsuit happy?

I believe my 3 sisters each had to advocate strongly not to have a C-section.
From 3 sisters, there are 7 nieces and nephews. All 3 of them had/still work in the health care sector. Doctor-sister was walking around in the wards checking patients...up to her 8th month.

I know for certain 2 of them went jogging for first 4-5 months regularily, several times per week. It was always the last trimester that they were more slower/back ache, feet aching, etc. Got tired of just sitting around, waiting..

[Jolt]

Apparently the proposed bill in NYC would require a doctor's note stating that the woman is experiencing physical or mobility challenges.

I'll bet ob-gyns have mixed feelings about this, considering all the requests they would likely get.

I'm glad it's at least requiring a doctor's note, to try and keep it to the cases where there's a true medical issue. However, I think you're right that ob/gyns are going to get a lot of requests--some people are probably going to abuse it. I just don't get the eagerness of some people to push for this kind of special treatment during what is, in general, a normal healthy process. It isn't exactly empowering to women, is it?

[Cataboo]

I'm glad it's at least requiring a doctor's note, to try and keep it to the cases where there's a true medical issue. However, I think you're right that ob/gyns are going to get a lot of requests--some people are probably going to abuse it. I just don't get the eagerness of some people to push for this kind of special treatment during what is, in general, a normal healthy process. It isn't exactly empowering to women, is it?

So... Am I being un-empowering to women if I give up my seat on the metro or a train to a pregnant woman? Or to old people? 'cause seriously, old people and pregnant woman could use the opportunity to stand up and train their balance skills and get their exercise and they really should just stop being lazy bums and avoiding it by taking my seat if I offer.

And when I see a handicapped person struggling with opening a door and walking through, I should just ignore them and leave them be, because even though they're handicapped, they can function just as well as the rest of society and they really should just practice doing it.

But as far as I'm concerned, it's common courtesy for me to offer my seat or to help someone struggling with a door or something - if they say that they're fine and they don't need help, I don't press.

Yeah, like all things in life, there will be people who abuse handicapped and pregnancy parking. That doesn't mean there isn't a good reason for it and we should take the option away from everyone. Because really, how much does this actually inconvenience all of you? How many people in NYC actually have cars? And when is it a benefit of having to drive through the city? ('cause frankly, anytime I've driven through NYC, I've been severely irked with everyone else there and stuck in traffic forever). From visiting NYC, I know I would really hate to be pregnant or disabled and navigating the metro system. Same with DC. It's hard to find the elevator access to the metro system.

I know at least in the DC area that there is very little designated handicapped street parking - basically you're allowed to park at a meter longer free if you have a handicapped pass...