License Plates for Disabled?

[Outta Here]

I don't intend to be disrespectful or humorous in any way, but I have to ask, what sort of disability might a motorcyclist have that would cause him/her to have a disabled motorist plate?

My daughter and I saw a man riding his motorbike yesterday and he had disabled plates. Neither of us could figure out why he would have them. Any ideas?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Cardiac problems, maybe? They can still drive....just perhaps not walk very far. Or perhaps bad arthritis preventing walking very far.. but they could still drive.

[Outta Here]

See! Both of those make total sense! We had such a hard time coming up with something. Thanks!! He was an older man--so maybe the cardiac--sure. Thanks, rudywoofs! It's just been bugging me trying to think of something.

[jlbyrd]

That is interesting, I cannot say I've ever seen a handicapped motorcycle plate. It sounds a little silly at first.

[Key Guy]

He or she could be missing a leg. You can still ride with a prosthesis. What if you had a respiratory problem, preventing you from walking more than 100' at a time? That wouldn't keep you from riding. Think of a motorcycle as a 'HuvAround' on steroids!

[Woody]

I can relate that this might be a real need.

There are many 'hidden' disabilities. Chronic Fatigue is one that I know well. While ... I would not be able to drive a motor cycle .... I am young and healthy looking. But when I walk into a store ... I am never certain if I will be able to walk back out. At times ... I've had to ask for a wheel chair or a motorized cart. When people see me with a Handicapped Parking Permit .... they wonder.

As an example .... I had one guy chew me out for going to a handicapped spot. He thought I looked far too healthy. I didn't say a word to him because he was a mean looking Hells Angel type biker.

I guess the purpose of this post is to try to get you folks to understand that there are real hidden disabilities.

[Key Guy]

Since most of us aren't doctors, we tend to look for obvious reasons for a handicap.

[GreatLakesGramma]

Since most of us aren't doctors, we tend to look for obvious reasons for a handicap.

Which is totally none of our business.

[Key Guy]

Originally Posted By: timewarp

Since most of us aren't doctors, we tend to look for obvious reasons for a handicap.

Which is totally none of our business.

Right. Question nothing. Accept everything.

[Dottie]

I had an uncle whose doctor repeatedly told him to get a handicapped plate. He had heart trouble and had a couple of strokes. He refused to get the specialty license because he felt well enough to walk to the stores. He thought he would leave the space for "someone who really needs it."

[Planey]

Originally Posted By: GreatLakesGramma

Which is totally none of our business. [/quote']

Right. Question nothing. Accept everything.

I detect a note of sarcasm here. Maybe not.

However in the context of someone having a handicapped driver plate, I think your statement is correct, timewarp. We should not be like the guy that challenged Redwood, not knowing anything of his circumstances but judging pure;y by his external appearance. If we see someone with a disability plate and to the external glance they appear to be "normal", then "Question nothing. Accept everything" would seem to be excellent advice.

Graeme

[GreatLakesGramma]

Right. Question nothing. Accept everything.

When it comes to handicap licenses, yes. People with lupus, MS, chronic fatigue, and other hidden disabilities, don't enjoy getting verbal abuse from busybodies who don't think they look sick. They have enough to deal with already.

[Key Guy]

Yes, I was tossing in sarcasm to make this point... not everyone with, or using, a handicap plate deserves it. I personally know of a guy in my town whose mother is handicapped, but he uses the mirror tag to park in the better spots even when his mama is not with him.

People lie.

It's very easy for me to be cynical when I see that stuff going on. No one will question him because they would look mean and cruel, so he gets away with it, causing legitimate parkers to look for another spot.

People lie.

The system is broken or needs a big-time tweaking at the least. Who has the guts to do that? No one. So I will catch heat for pointing out the obvious that the rest of the sheep are afraid to address.

People lie. Some ignore it and trust anything and anybody. I choose to suspect everyone of lying first (can you tell?), then be pleasantly surprised when I actually cross paths with an honest soul.

[Woody]

What a horrible way to live. I am sorry that you have to live that way. I wish you the best.

[Gregory Matthews]

Let us clairfy what we are talking about:

Disabled plates: State law governs this. Check with your local State for the requirements, responsibilities and privliges associated with such. Some statea may not have such.

Handicaped plates: These are governed by Federal law which all states must comply with if the plate has the Federal logo on it.

Note: Yes, motorcyclists can get either according the one that is in accord with the requirments that they meet.

I personallly know a motorcycist who had a handicaped plate until he could no longer ride a motorcycle. Once a State Police person stopped him who did not believe that a handicaped plate would be issued for a motorcycle. He appologized profusely when proven wrong.

NOTE: All of my vehicles have a disabled plate because I meet the State requirement for such So I am aquainted with the requirements and the differences.

[GreatLakesGramma]

Yes, it's true people lie. But you and I have no way of knowing who is lying and who is not, unless we know them personally. And the truly disabled who don't look like it at all times have a hard enough row to hoe. They don't need to expend their precious little energy on dealing with busybody vigilantes. Especially threatening-looking ones like Redwood encountered.

Note: this is in reply to Timewarp, not Gregory Matthews.

[Woody]

Thank you for your post GLG.

Personally .... I try hard not to use the handicapped parking. If I am having a good day .... I might not use it. But the problem is .... I may think I can survive walking in the store but often when I do that ... I get in trouble and am sorry I didn't park closer.

The other issue is .... Personally, I have very limited ability to get out. If I go to a store ... even if I survive the experience ... it will wipe out my ability to do much of anything more the rest of the day. I have to conserve my limited energy.

People just can't comprehend how difficult and life altering this is. They look at you and think that you have to be healthy and nothing could be wrong with you.

[GreatLakesGramma]

I know what you mean Redwood. If I spend lots of time outside, rest when I need to, avoid stress, and do all the other things I need to do to take care of myself, I can manage to keep my autoimmune collagen-vascular disease in partial remission and be productive enough to fulfill my most important home responsibilities, though it doesn't take much of a disruption to my normal routine to upset the applecart. And all that outdoor time gives me a healthy glow that makes me appear to be a model of radiant good health. But looks can be deceiving, and I have not enjoyed having people pass judgment on me.

But I don't get out much, and I don't need a handicap parking permit, so I never have to deal with it from strangers. And most of the people at church I actually interact with know my limitations and don't hassle me. The nominating committee never even asks me any more if there is something I feel I could handle and would like to do.

[Planey]

What a horrible way to live. I am sorry that you have to live that way. I wish you the best.

Right on, Redwood.

Seems to me that most of the people who get upset when they see someone using a disabled car space when they don't look 'disabled' are really just jealous. "Look! That person is getting a 'benefit' that I don't get! Man, that is so wrong!"

All you need to worry about is whether you are obeying the regulations, not to be a vigilante inspector of others.

Graeme

[Amelia]

I've witnessed many, many people park in the disabled space just to run into the store for their pack of smokes or case of beer. I work in stores all day long and I know these people are not disabled. It's a case of "I'm only going to be a few minutes who the h*** cares" attitude.

[Liz]

*GP*

Here is another perspective. I have been offered those plates, not because *I* am disabled but because my dh is. So perhaps people get used to parking in those spaces even if they aren't driving the *disabled* person at that particular time.

By the way, we refused the plates, we figured there were other people that needed them far worse than we did.

[Key Guy]

I've witnessed many, many people park in the disabled space just to run into the store for their pack of smokes or case of beer. I work in stores all day long and I know these people are not disabled. It's a case of "I'm only going to be a few minutes who the h*** cares" attitude.

Now you've gone and done it... agreed with me. I'm sorry. You are now lumped into the following category:

"All you need to worry about is whether you are obeying the regulations, not to be a vigilante inspector of others."

It's best to keep your keyboard quiet on this issue. You've already stepped on sensitive toes. Don't push your luck.

PS: I made an observation to prove that not all claimants are deserving or are abusing the privilege (some will call it a right). For that, I am labeled a 'vigilante inspector'. sigh

As for having an awful life because I believe most people should not be trusted right out of the box.... not true. Ask anyone in my circle of friends/family/business associates. I'm more 'up' than they all are, probably because I have fewer sad stories of being ripped-off and screwed over than they have.

[Amelia]

Quote:

It's best to keep your keyboard quiet on this issue. You've already stepped on sensitive toes. Don't push your luck.

Excuse me?????

#1. who's toes did I step on?

#2. Have you read the rules of this forum?

#3. Don't you push your luck with me.

[Key Guy]

Seems to me that most of the people who get upset when they see someone using a disabled car space when they don't look 'disabled' are really just jealous. "Look! That person is getting a 'benefit' that I don't get! Man, that is so wrong!"

Graeme

Have you heard of the term 'justice for all'? There is no room for jealousy in that philosophy. It has to do with fairness and equality. I don't care if I have to walk extra yards (I live in paradise). I care if people are abusing the system.

You are saying that in certain circumstances, it's okay to cheat. Don't question an alleged handicapped person. I don't agree.

[Key Guy]

Excuse me?????

#1. who's toes did I step on?

** Those that believe ALL drivers with handicapped tags are truly righteous. You actually made an observation that it's not true...gasp!

#2. Have you read the rules of this forum?

** Yep. What rule did I trample?

#3. Don't you push your luck with me.

** Uh oh.