Handicap parking for DV

[mossman500]

Twice this past week some ding dong had a problem with my parking in a handicap parking spot. I drive a 4x4 F250 that has a 4 inch lift on it with AMP step bars. The first time was at the Texas road house in Conroe, some MORON left a fake parking ticket on my windshield, stating that I did not have right to park in that spot and how much of a scumbag I was and that they hoped I would break my leg. No problem...no body to deal with since the coward was gone. The second time was at The Woodlands Macaroni Grill, one of my buddies told me some Butthead was calling the cops on me parking in the handicap parking spot....out the door I went. This dude was like 65-70 and real uptight, so seeing and hearing him talking to the cops I walked up and waited. He asked if it was my truck and I said yes, he went off on me, I stopped he mid sentence and asked if he could read? I then told him to read my DV plate and tell me what it said....he got mad and asked the lady on the phone if Disabled Vets automatically got to park in handicap parking. I could hear her on the phone ask, REALLY? Sir, he's a disabled vet! Then he's still mad and tells me his wife can't walk....I said thats not my fault! Then he was still not convinced and I was smoking hot by this time, I explained that over 22 years in the Army as a Combat soldier and at 100% DV....I didn't have time nor the patience to deal with him and if he didn't clear out it was gonna be bad for him. He didn't think I should drive a big truck if I was really a DV. Wow...the nerve of some people.
Rant over...carry on!

[StrayDog]

Thank you for your service Soldier. My buddy who has disabled vet tags said he pulled his prosthetic leg off and told a guy he'd whoop his arse with said prosthetic leg when he told him to move his truck. I was laughing, with pure respect knowing without doubt he'd have whooped the tar out of that guy with his titanium leg.

Idiots with no respect.

[mboltm]

Thank You for your service, Sorry there are people like that you have to deal with

[tvc184]

A lot of people simply do not know the law. They believe that only the disabled hang tag on the rear view mirror or the same emblem on a license plate is the only legal privileged parking.

On the the other hand, I have checked hang tags and been chastised by the owner. As an example, I received a call from a citizen one day that a person that did not look handicapped was parked with a tag in the privileged parking space. I checked it and it was lawfully used. The owner was angry at me for checking. I told him that he should be glad that I was checking and that a citizen had called in. It wasn't to harm a disabled person but to take up for them and not wanting people to use it illegally.

I was off duty recently but in uniform on the way home in my private vehicle. I saw a young guy bounce out of the passenger's side and run into a store. The young woman driving looked just as fit but looks can be deceiving so I asked to see the hang tag and let me check her license to see if it was valid or wait until the young track star came back and see if it was his tag. She handed it to me and then quickly backed out and burned off.

It turned out the tag was stolen a couple of days earlier and the people had not reported it. I returned it to the lawful owner a couple of days later.

While I can somewhat understand the angry feelings from a disabled person being questioned, realize that the person reporting it or checking it is doing so because he believes that someone is getting away with something and therefore potentially cheating a truly disabled person.

There is a reason that the hang tags have the lawful owner's initials and last four numbers of their drivers license listed on the tag, so it can easily be checked by law enforcement. I would think a disabled person would be glad that he/she was being checked. It it for their benefit but apparently some don't see it that way and not talking about the OP and the guy that was told the law when he called and still didn't like it.

Just a thought for mossman, next time someone questions you, smile and tell the person thanks for checking and you and the other disabled vets appreciate the help.

[Bisch]

Thank you for your service!

But I have a question? How can you walk, and climb up in a lifted pickup truck if you are 100% disabled? This does not make sense to me. Can you please explain this to me? or, another way to word it would be, how can you be 100% disables if you can walk?

Bisch

[clay4626]

thanks for your service glad you can have a truck to drive

I have seen the other side at A & M some young student parks in a handicap space with a big 4x4 jacked up about 20 inches and jumps out and runs to class. He got a handicap tag somehow

[41Chevy]

Thank you for your service!

.
But I have a question? How can you walk, and climb up in a lifted pickup truck if you are 100% disabled? This does not make sense to me. Can you please explain this to me? or, another way to word it would be, how can you be 100% disables if you can walk?

Bisch

100% disabled vet is whole different game
It happens, was getting my Jeep serviced and jacked up big ford pulled up and a guy with no legs came out of it like a monkey.

[Pedernal]

Thank you for your service!

[NAVY CHIEF]

I feel u brother....glad you didn't smack that idiot! Me personally I would have prob told him to f**k off

[NAVY CHIEF]

U don't need to explain anything to anyone imo!

[Iehooligan11b]

Thank you for your service!

But I have a question? How can you walk, and climb up in a lifted pickup truck if you are 100% disabled? This does not make sense to me. Can you please explain this to me? or, another way to word it would be, how can you be 100% disables if you can walk?

Bisch

That's a big misconception that is pretty common. Just because a vet is 100% disabled doesn't mean they are a wheelchair bound person. Not every service connected injury is physically obvious. TBI, PTSD, respiratory issues from burn pits and all kinds of dookie burning. There are all kinds of service connected disabilities that won't be obvious to someone just looking at a veteran.

[Froggy]

Thank you for your service!

But I have a question? How can you walk, and climb up in a lifted pickup truck if you are 100% disabled? This does not make sense to me. Can you please explain this to me? or, another way to word it would be, how can you be 100% disables if you can walk?

Bisch

I have DV plates on all my vehicles. I can still walk, so rarely use disabled parking. I'm rated at 80% service connected disability. 60% of that is coronary artery disease related to Agent Orange exposure. Texas law does allow veterans with DV plates to park in disabled spots.

Not all disabilities are visible.

[Bullseye07]

That's a big misconception that is pretty common. Just because a vet is 100% disabled doesn't mean they are a wheelchair bound person. Not every service connected injury is physically obvious. TBI, PTSD, respiratory issues from burn pits and all kinds of dookie burning. There are all kinds of service connected disabilities that won't be obvious to someone just looking at a veteran.

Some are also in physical pain daily, but you'd never know it because they don't complain about it or let it show.

[Iehooligan11b]

Some are also in physical pain daily, but you'd never know it because they don't complain about it or let it show.

Exactly. A few bad jumps, getting blown up a few times, who knows how many miles of rucking... it will age your body quick. I'm a disabled vet as well. I have good days I'm ok and don't hurt. Other days it's excruciating to get out of bed. But you won't hear me bitching about it. Take a knee and drink water lol.

I've been asked by civilian friends who found out I'm a disabled vet and questioned how I could be when I have all my limbs and "look normal." Just gave a vague explanation like I did here earlier.

[Bullseye07]

Exactly. A few bad jumps, getting blown up a few times, who knows how many miles of rucking... it will age your body quick. I'm a disabled vet as well. I have good days I'm ok and don't hurt. Other days it's excruciating to get out of bed. But you won't hear me bitching about it. Take a knee and drink water lol.

Right there with you bud. Our bodies aren't meant to take the amount of abuse that we took. Oh well. **** happens.