Handicapped Road Hazards

Inconsiderate Snowplow Driver

February 16 1983

Dear Meg,

I hope you might be of help my children and I find a solution to our present dilemma as you have done for us before.

My husband must go for dialysis treatments three days a week due to kidney failure from a diabetic condition. We have been going for these treatments for the past six years. These trips are very important. We don't miss them because doing so would be a matter of my husband's life or death.

Over the years his diabetes has caused a loss of sight, heart failure, kidney failure and the amputation of one of his legs this past summer which has also left him with the problem of inaccessibility in his own home while using his wheelchair.

You helped us earlier this year to find information so that my son could build the ramp we now use to get my husband in and out of the house for dialysis appointments.

Right after we fixed that problem, winter came along and dropped another blockage in our path, snow and the city snowplows!

The weekend's snowfall of February 5 and 6 started it all off. My son and daughter were in front of our house shoveling out the driveway, so that we could move the car closer, and an extra wide path opening round in front of the house, so their father could be easily taken to and from the car.

As they were working on this the city snowplow came along and pushed the snow off the street right into the space that had just been cleared. My son went over and explained to the city worker operating the machine about his father's problem and just what he and his sister were trying to do. He said "OK" and that he would do the best he could.

The plow went down the street clearing a path in the road but, coming back the men dumped another load of snow directly on top of the first one pushed into our driveway! They then proceeded to round the corner and pushed the snow back into the sidewalk path. It was intentional and the men were laughing as my son and daughter were yelling furiously after them when they just drove away.

Monday morning my son came back down to dig us out before going into work himself but between the time he had gone and I had gotten my husband ready to leave, the plow had been back on the streets and closed us in again!

I called the Public Works department and told them how important it was to get to our appointment. The girl promised to give a message to the foreman and send some men to get us out in enough time for us to be in Bridgeport for my husband's treatment by 9 a.m.

When no-one had shown by 2 p.m. I called back and the same girl said she would relay the message again but offered no guarantees. She said I should write a formal letter to the head of Public Works. I think I know the circular file they would put us in then so I told her I was going to call Meg Casey and tell her about the whole thing.

Please, is there anything at all to be done so you don't have to go through this nightmare every snowfall? I hope you can straighten this out, especially with the forecast for more snow.

Thank you for your time,

Carmela

Dear Carmela

I'm really appalled by the lack of consideration and compassion shown to your family's situation which could easily have led to the loss of life in a prolonged circumstance. I'll certainly try to help you anytime you call me.

After getting all of the facts in your story, I called the Public Works Department. As the chairperson of the Milford Independent Disabled Person's Committee I alerted them that we were aware of what had transpired. I too was put in touch with a foreman but wasn't given any more encouraging replies than you were given. The message would be posted but no guarantees were given.

I informed the gentleman that I would be following the proceedings with the promise of snow in forecast; he didn't think that much could be done. I asked the man who was going to be responsible for the loss of life in this case. No reply came to that. I also told him I would be in touch with the mayor and that the incident would be written up in my column in the newspaper.

I spoke with Mayor Jagoe's office explaining your trouble and the treatment you received and was assured that the mayor would be informed.

Later that afternoon I received a phone call confirming that the assistant to the mayor, had called the Public Works and that your driveway would be kept clear.

However, Carmela, I recommend that he don't relax your guard on this issue because things simply don't iron out so smoothly around here. To ensure yourself that these promises are indeed fulfilled, keep on calling their office every time snow is predicted. This will keep you fresh in their minds and your messages at the top the list.

If there ever there seems to be a slackening in the service at either end, please don't hesitate to call me!

Who Needs Handicapped Parking?

November 9 1983

Dear Meg,

The issue I would like to see you take up is the the alarming lack of courtesy which some disabled people display towards other disabled individual's needs.

The battlefield that this issue centers on is again the public parking lot, over the right to use Handicapped Parking Spaces. This surprising part is that my complaints are aimed at the very group of people who would be expected to show the most sensibility on the subject and practice it – The disabled themselves!

Now, my first inclination was to ask what Joker was handing out handicap parking permits for Halloween? But I decide to rephrase it. … It has been my misfortune to encounter "seemingly" able-bodied people parked in the handicapped spaces, then getting out of the cars walk away and into the stores with apparent ease. What disability warranted that permit? A convenient disability?

I am a quadriplegic and confined to the use of my wheelchair. The van I drive is equipped with a lift that drops down out of the side door of the vehicle. This enables me to get in and out my van independently and drive myself just about anywhere I want. Except for this week when I felt as if I'd have driven myself crazy faster!

In order to park my van I need the extra width allotted to the special parking spaces for the handicapped. Sometimes even these are not quite wide enough and I must squeeze as much out of those inches allowed us as is humanly possible. However, when my lift re-closes, once I am out of the van, a space may be left over the crosshatch section of the parking space's markings. It is a space that a small car might fit into. That was the case this weekend – Granted the other car had a parking permit properly displayed, but the owner parked improperly where there was no legal parking space and left another disabled person stranded outside her vehicle until they returned themselves! These people were walking and obviously able to maneuver in and out of places that other people with disabilities can't manage. Next …

On another trip I drove around looking for a free handicapped parking space, but could find none. All of the cars had legal permits on the dashboards. Two cars had gentlemen seated behind the wheels. I couldn't help but wonder why they both needed to take up those spaces when they were only waiting for someone to come out of one of the stores. Any space will do to sit in. Any other disabled person could be be picked up at the curb in front of the doorway to the store when they came out.

As I backed up to position my van to enter an open spot I found, a car scooted into the space ahead of me. When two woman popped out – who could walk easily – I learned out my window and asked them if they realized they were in handicapped spot. The driver yelled to the other "put the card in the window." She did, and both ran into the store!

Meg, it really seems to me that the proper usage of both Handicapped Parking Permits and Handicapped Parking Spaces need to beat re-explained to the masses.

All of a sudden everybody is qualifying for permits.

Sincerely E.M.C.

Hello E.,

You really had a fun week, haven't you, I agree with your assessment of the abusive distribution of the Parking Permits. All that is needed is doctor's statement that a person's physical condition is such that would require special consideration as not having to walk long distances. Closer screening must be done.

As for the handicapped parking spaces this is a controversial topic among the disabled but the original intent of the Handicapped Parking Space was to assist the handicapped driver. Anyone who has a permit and is able to walk the distance or is able to get in and out of a vehicle without using the additional room to open doors wide, doesn't need a HP space.

Examples: The blind person doesn't need a permit, a one armed amputee doesn't need a permit, the deaf person doesn't need a permit, etc.. These are people able to walk normally.

Disabled passengers can be dropped off and picked up at the door, in most cases, if their disability hinders their getting in or out of a car in standard size space. The exceptions being those people who are unable to be left alone while the car is being parked by their companion. I would hope that disabled individuals would be more aware and considerate of their actions than the average person. But that just goes to show that they're only human too. Therefore, the next time you find someone disabled parking in violation call the police and have them towed away, "just like anyone else."

Better luck next time!