Handicap Sapces

We've all seen the handicap parking signs, the warnings of a fine or the handicap bathroom stalls. Some of us may have used a handicap parking space when we shouldn't have. And I for one have used the handicap bathroom several times during my lifetime. But I never gave either one a second thought until I had two parents in a wheelchair.

Some may wonder why I would take my two wheelchair bound parents out knowing the struggles I could face. Well, there were a few reasons. First, I didn't know how much time I would have left with them. Second, I wanted them to be able to enjoy the things they liked to do. Third, dad loved to drive, so just being in the car made him happy. Fourth, mom never wanted to be left out. But mostly I just couldn't tell them no. So off we went on our wheelchair adventures.

Before my parents were wheelchair bound, they frequented a local restaurant, where everyone knew them. So, a couple times a week we would head over there to eat. Usually, I was able to get one of the three handicap parking spots but not this day. Unloading two wheelchairs and parents is not a quick task so, unless I wanted to block traffic I was going to have to park in a regular spot and wheel my parents up to the door ~ so that’s what we did. I had mom in front, dad behind her pushing her while I wheeled him, like a wheelchair conga line 😊 Some nice folks volunteered to help which was very kind of them. Fortunately, when we got ready to leave a handicap space was open, so I quickly pulled the car around.

As I mentioned, I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to using the handicap bathroom instead of waiting for one of the other to be free. With mom in a wheelchair, handicap bathrooms took on a whole new meaning for me. The handicapped stall is designed to accommodate a wheelchair and two people along with handles to hold onto ~ the necessities. If you have an elderly parent, you can probably understand that when they say they have to go ~ now or it’s too late, they already went. As mom and I head to the bathroom, I silently pray that the handicap stall is not in use. Once inside, I see the stall is being used and I say two more silent prayers… Please let the person in there be handicapped and if they’re not, please let mom remain quiet. Because as a non-handicap person emerges from the handicap stall mom was all too ready to inform them that…since they were using the 'her' stall, she pee-peed her pants 😊

                                                    Peace & Love