Mom discovered a nasty letter on her car after parking in a handicapped place. Her answer is essential…
We’ve all seen it when looking for a place in a crowded parking lot: someone parks their car in a handicapped spot, then walks out and appears just fine. It’s enough to make you want to puke out of rage, especially after driving around for what feels like a million years looking for a parking place.
You’re clearly not going to confront them about it since it’s too uncomfortable, so you come up with a better, far less risky solution: leave a passive-aggressive letter on their car’s windshield.
Feeling happy, you stroll back to your car, proud of yourself for confronting that liar, and even happier as you walk the extra 100 steps to the store from your lousy parking spot in the back of the lot. But have you ever wondered whether you told off the wrong person?
What if the individual who received the notice had a completely reasonable justification for why they were driving a car with a disabled sticker and tag?
That’s precisely what happened to Emma Doherty, who was astonished to see someone write such venomous comments to her in a note she discovered on her car.
The wording of the note is really harsh:
“You lazy, conniving bitch. You didn’t have a handicapped person with you!” These spaces are reserved for people in need!!!”
I understand that avoiding conflict is something we’ve been taught to do, but perhaps if whoever wrote this message had opted to say anything to Emma, the entire situation might have been resolved.
Instead, she had to resort to Facebook to break down the anonymous grouch and explain her dilemma to the rest of us. And maybe, whoever sent the message (if they see her article) would see why they were so wrong.
In her article, she describes the severity of Bobby’s disease, which has required him to undergo a number of difficult operations and treatments.
“He had two strokes, which left him immobile and brain damaged and with spinal and hip problems, as well as major heart disease. I didn’t get his wheelchair out since I was running late because my kid, who had an MRI scan, a CT scan, and a dye for heart function yesterday, was discharged late and returned this morning, so I carried him in.
“But, for your knowledge, not everyone with a blue badge requires a wheelchair! I’ve told… security and broken down; I’ve sat through things no one should witness, so why did your message shatter me? Because you are purely ignorant of others. I’m a single parent doing my best to keep it together for my kid, who is in and out of the hospital. NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE VISIBLE, and I hope you regret your actions and learn your lesson.”
Throughout her article, Emma simultaneously criticizes the person and emphasizes one key point: just because someone isn’t in a wheelchair or on crutches doesn’t imply they’re not handicapped or require physical care or support.
I knew something would be said one day since I received glances and attention every day and witnessed people speaking to one another about me and Bobby as we came out of the car. Everyone should pause and ponder before acting. I seldom let anything disturb me, but this did. How pushy, and as for conning my son’s disability pass… [It] isn’t a fraud; he’s truly very sick. I’ve included a photo of him to demonstrate that not everyone appears ill or handicapped yet can be extremely unwell.
After the message, the mother emphasizes that she is confident that the statement was not written by a hospital employee, as individuals who work in healthcare are fully aware of the different reasons why someone might have a disabled tag on their vehicle.