To have been upset by this encounter today

The parking close to the school gets on my nerves too. There just isn't any need for it. I used to have drive (and still do) one of mine to school but we park on a car park and walk in (he walks on his own now but when he was younger I'd walk to) I know some people have to park close to the school, as you say - but most of them don't have to.

I live really close to a senior school and it's chaos around here.
You take your life I your hands if you go out amongst the traffic.
I wouldn't mind, but I live on an island you could walk around, if needs be.

Miss A
So sad to hear about your dd's health, she is for sure very brave

Generally speaking - comparing who has it worse is a losing battle, somebody will have it worse than you do

Does it mean only the worst of the worse have the so called right to parking spots, etc and everybody else should defer to them?

We all have our own personal hell we deal with - starting the "no, some other person has it worse, that's a no excuse to scream at them" doesn't cut it

Worse of the worst.... lol

That was entirely my point, hithere.
Difficult for parents, yes, equally as difficult for others.

I don’t think it’s reasonable to get angry- but I don’t agree it’s reasonable to use a p&c space if you don’t have a child either. The spaces are labeled for a reason to serve different needs.

And yes, it does cut it for me.
Obviously, I would have thought.

I agree MissA.
Perhaps angry people who are able bodied should try getting around in a wheel chair for a day, struggling in and out of a car, in pain, especially when no disabled bays available.

My daughter got it all ways.
Sometimes people would have a go at her for being in a disabled bay, too.
Or they would say to me "I saw your girl in her big car with her music playing...." in an accusatory way.
As if it wasnt allowed, somehow.

Hithere

Miss A
So sad to hear about your dd's health, she is for sure very brave

Generally speaking - comparing who has it worse is a losing battle, somebody will have it worse than you do

Does it mean only the worst of the worse have the so called right to parking spots, etc and everybody else should defer to them?

We all have our own personal hell we deal with - starting the "no, some other person has it worse, that's a no excuse to scream at them" doesn't cut it

Well we all have different opinions, but shouting and becoming aggressive with people because they are using a facility which you would also like access to is not going to help anyone

MissAdventure

Well....
I do get fed up with people bleating about how hard it is.
If my daughter couldn't park close and get out of her car then she couldn't do stuff.
That includes picking up her child from school, shopping, all kinds of things.

So sorry about your daughter.

The point you make is the main one in this argument. Blue badge holders literally cannot manage without designated spaces. It is not a matter of inconvenience to them, it is the difference between being able to get out and about and sitting at home.

A parent can manage without a designated space. It may be inconvenient, but there need is nowhere near that of a person with a disability. Therefore in almost any situation where the last space near the door is needed by a parent and a blue badge holder, the blue badge holder's need is the greater one.

People can and do go through awfu lthings and difficulties but life is not a competition on who has it worse, life is about empathy and understanding for each other.

Most of us would hold the door for the next person, or go out of our way to open a door for a disabled person or a mum struggling with a baby and a toddler. We wouldn't even think. Why would how we park be any different?

Parking spaces can and have been provided for disabled people and parents. This is thoughtful and conscientious of those who provide them. The car parks alsoo belong to those organisations on private property. So if they have chosen to provide specific parking, that should be respected

It isnt a competition, but you said people should think how hard it can be for parents.
Why should they, since it isnt a completion and all are equal?

I think competition is the wrong word here. There just are some needs that trump others in an ethical society.

MissAdventure

It isnt a competition, but you said people should think how hard it can be for parents.
Why should they, since it isnt a completion and all are equal?

That's not the same thing at all is it? It's not a competition of struggle, just acknowledging those who do need extra help

Unless you would stand by and watch someone with a buggy and a toddler struggle with a door... Which I doubt... Then you can understand that people who aren't just managing themselves might need help

That applies to people carrying heavy things or people struggling with animals on leads... Its just that, those aren't in need of dedicated spaces at supermarkets

Fair comment.
Just that some need a,whole lot of help to be able to join in with the rest of society and live their lives.
It doesnt take anything away from someone to acknowledge that the level of help varies.

Ethical world is a dangerous statement if it means somebody's rights get denied for what is perceived as something worse

My daughter was a parent through all her struggles, too, incidentally.
Her youngest was 1 week old when she was diagnosed.
So.....

Some things arent just perceived as worse.
They are.

MissAdventure

Fair comment.
Just that some need a,whole lot of help to be able to join in with the rest of society and live their lives.
It doesnt take anything away from someone to acknowledge that the level of help varies.

Of course but there are so many comments here questioning the need for parent spaces at all and I agree that need exists even if some can't see how that is safer and easier for parents.

I remember when my now adult children were little, those spaces didn't exist and it can be quite dangerous managing a wonky trolley and children.

If someone started to reverse into me on my own I'l could jump out of the way but when someone did that with my children, I had to bang on their car because I couldn't get all of us out of the way in time. They rightfully got very thoroughly shouted at. That wouldn't have happened with parent bays.

Weird the memories that stand out as strongly as that one.

Hithere

Ethical world is a dangerous statement if it means somebody's rights get denied for what is perceived as something worse

Well we have to be either an ethical or an unethical society.

To me an ethical society is one that looks after its more vulnerable members. So access to public places for disabled people, provision of shelter for those who are homeless, supports for those who are mentally ill etc

Obviously though there will sometimes be competing needs. For instance mothers with young children wanting spaces by the door, elderly people who don't have blue badges wanting spaces by the door.

Those decisions often come down to common decency, sharing of resources and showing a bit of compassion. They're rarely helped by people shouting over each other.

I'm all in favour of parent spaces.
Weird that they're often closer than disabled bays, and nobody seems sure on the etiquette or rules, which doesnt help either.

Yes I think if they were in the main body of the car park, near a trolley bay and with a walkway or path provided, and spaces at the door were reserved for blue badge holders and then elderly people it might stop a lot of the aggravation and hassle.

MissAdventure

My daughter was a parent through all her struggles, too, incidentally.
Her youngest was 1 week old when she was diagnosed.
So.....

MissA I knew a little of your daughter’s story but not this bit. I am so sorry.

Heartbreaking MissAdventure. What was her name, or would you rather not say?