Once, when we were still working together, a former co-worker had eye surgery. His doctor offered him a temporary parking pass to permit him to use parking reserved for the disabled. He took it, and used it. I would say that I found it shocking, but I suppose it doesn’t stoop nearly as low as humans are capable (say genocide or human trafficking). So I guess I’ll settle for distasteful. He didn’t give it a second thought.
I think about him every now and again when I see the parking spaces, at various retail locations, reserved for expectant mothers. I. don’t. get. it. If I were physiologically capable of having a baby, were actually pregnant, and didn’t have any major complications, there is no way I would use that parking. I find it offensive, not because I can’t use it. I think it’s offensive because it implies that there is something wrong with pregnant women.
An over simplification, this. I realize it.
4 responses so far ↓
crystal // April 18, 2008 at 8:37 am |
i’ve used it before because let’s face it: it’s not exactly saying for pregnant moms who show.
and let someone say i’m not. I, in a heartbeat, would say “yep i am, just a few weeks, but still expecting”.
i don’t like it either. what’s next: parking for ____(insert your favorite race) here?
I also don’t like the ones for “the sick going to the pharmacy.”
How about one for the sick and tired of looking for a parking spot in this back forty lot you got?
But that’s just me. I am cranky today.
leann // April 18, 2008 at 9:44 am |
The first time I ever saw one of those parking spots was at Target and I thought it was the strangest thing. Then I saw one at Harvest Foods on Cantrell. Weird. But you’re exactly right to say that it implies that there’s something wrong with someone who is pregnant. My doctor even implied the other day that if my “problem” was pregnancy then I didn’t need to take extra iron. It kind of offended me. But then he said, “You came to me with a problem and I want to fix it.” Okay…
Jennie // April 18, 2008 at 1:10 pm |
I guess I’ve never thought it was strange, but the only people I’ve ever seen using those spots looked like they were so miserable that they really couldn’t have parked any farther.
Susan // April 18, 2008 at 8:08 pm |
Completely agree. Although I will admit that I am one of those women who will drive and circle around until I get the perfect spot. I like spots on the end so that hopefully my doors won’t get dinged up too much.