Handicapped vs Corvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 72
From: Kansas
Handicapped vs Corvette
Okay Forum Brothers and Sisters, Since I have decided to drive my 2003 A/E more instead of being a garage queen, I have been hit with an unexpected situation. In Kansas we don't have front license plates, and I have Disabled Veteran Handicap Plates on the rear, so I don't need a Window Handicap Placard. OK the situation which has come up 5 times just this month. I was parked at Dick's sporting goods, when a lady came up and said are you handicap, just because you drive a corvette doesn't mean you can park there. I was so flabbergasted, I wanted to tell her to F@@K O** but i just pointed to my rear plate. Then at Walmart this lady walked around my car checking, why I parked in a Handicap spot, When I walked up she made a statement "Handicap people don't drive corvettes" and the story goes on....I'm seriously thinking about going back to regular plates before I knock someone out for being so rude. Do I look handicap wearing clothes and when I'm standing still "NO", but on the inside I'm all shot up and bad heart. I guess the question or responses is what the forum members would tell people in this situation...This is a first for me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 275
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Ignore them!
I have a legal handicap placard. I don't have to explain my problems with anyone.
One woman asked me what was wrong with me and I asked her if she was a doctor.
I used to park my Honda Goldwing Trike in the handicap spot. Got a lot of looks but when I hung up my legal placard they went on.
I had one security monitor guy at a Walmart question me but I ignore everyone else.
The only time I ever had to produce identification was at a Nascar cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. I had it and no problems.
I sold the trike and bought the 03 vert and park it in any empty handicap spot I can find. I need it.
Just because you aren't in a wheelchair doesn't mean you are not legally handicapped.
Ignore them and live your life.
I have a legal handicap placard. I don't have to explain my problems with anyone.
One woman asked me what was wrong with me and I asked her if she was a doctor.
I used to park my Honda Goldwing Trike in the handicap spot. Got a lot of looks but when I hung up my legal placard they went on.
I had one security monitor guy at a Walmart question me but I ignore everyone else.
The only time I ever had to produce identification was at a Nascar cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. I had it and no problems.
I sold the trike and bought the 03 vert and park it in any empty handicap spot I can find. I need it.
Just because you aren't in a wheelchair doesn't mean you are not legally handicapped.
Ignore them and live your life.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,597
Likes: 1,353
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
I bought a 97 several years ago where it had been outfitted for a handicapped driver, then rolled back to stock when sold.
So YES, handicapped people do drive Vettes. People are stupid
I would just tell them to F*&k off.
So YES, handicapped people do drive Vettes. People are stupid
I would just tell them to F*&k off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 796
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
No surprise but this system is prone to abuse. While most handicap tags are deserved there are many who get them that shouldn't. At my former job a few friends had them to get close parking spots. The same guys would take the afternoon off to play golf with no cart. Walking and moderate exercise is good for most people. Living in Florida now I see the abuse every day. The family car gets a handicap tag because on member is challenged and the rest of the family uses the car and parks in the front row at Walmart.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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You really don’t have to explain anything to them. If you say anything, just tell them to look at the license plate and then walk away.
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yep if it were me I'd probably at least given them the finger... it's sad that people will complain about petty things like this when they really have no reason to but if someone is dying on the side of the road no one will stop to help
Last edited by StingrayRebel; Dec 29, 2017 at 10:07 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
well thanks for your service, just tell them thanks for checking I served and paid the price and the license plate proving it is on the rear and walk away. that should make them feel bad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
No surprise but this system is prone to abuse. While most handicap tags are deserved there are many who get them that shouldn't. At my former job a few friends had them to get close parking spots. The same guys would take the afternoon off to play golf with no cart. Walking and moderate exercise is good for most people. Living in Florida now I see the abuse every day. The family car gets a handicap tag because on member is challenged and the rest of the family uses the car and parks in the front row at Walmart.
The system gets abused so much that many people question everyone that doesn't look handicapped. The use of other peoples tags and the doctors that approve anyone that doesn't want to walk anymore. Walking is good for most people.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
Likes: 279
From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
A Teaching Moment
Okay Forum Brothers and Sisters, Since I have decided to drive my 2003 A/E more instead of being a garage queen, I have been hit with an unexpected situation. In Kansas we don't have front license plates, and I have Disabled Veteran Handicap Plates on the rear, so I don't need a Window Handicap Placard. OK the situation which has come up 5 times just this month. I was parked at Dick's sporting goods, when a lady came up and said are you handicap, just because you drive a corvette doesn't mean you can park there. I was so flabbergasted, I wanted to tell her to F@@K O** but i just pointed to my rear plate. Then at Walmart this lady walked around my car checking, why I parked in a Handicap spot, When I walked up she made a statement "Handicap people don't drive corvettes" and the story goes on....I'm seriously thinking about going back to regular plates before I knock someone out for being so rude. Do I look handicap wearing clothes and when I'm standing still "NO", but on the inside I'm all shot up and bad heart. I guess the question or responses is what the forum members would tell people in this situation...This is a first for me.
I've always found the best response to prejudice, (which is essentially ignorance), is to educate. You're obviously a great guy and the fact that you bring your story here, means you might be willing to share it in a parking lot. More people need to be reminded that conflicts may end, but wounds to our veterans (not always visible) can be carried for a lifetime. You might end up with an apology and a thank you for your service. Even if you don't, you'll have set the person straight and they will likely not repeat the error.
On a lighter note, anyone watching me get out (more accurately roll out) of my Corvette would likely assume I needed the preferential parking spot!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
I have HC plates on all four of my cars. (two Vettes)
I've have had a non apparent lung problem (PAH) for years, and now I wear oxygen all the time, so it is now a bit more apparent that I have problems. Bottom line is, I can barely walk 50 feet without sitting for a minute or two. I can drive my Vette for hours though, without a problem.
Not everyone that is handicapped is bound to a wheel chair.
Just because you're handicapped doesn't men you have to drive a SUV.
I've have had a non apparent lung problem (PAH) for years, and now I wear oxygen all the time, so it is now a bit more apparent that I have problems. Bottom line is, I can barely walk 50 feet without sitting for a minute or two. I can drive my Vette for hours though, without a problem.
Not everyone that is handicapped is bound to a wheel chair.
Just because you're handicapped doesn't men you have to drive a SUV.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 219
From: Los Angeles CA
My issue here at my gym is there are 3 vettes that have HC placards. One clearly needs it as he struggles with his cane for about 10 minutes just to get out. The other two however clearly do NOT need them. One is some annoying 20 yo punk who walks the gym like he's gods gift to earth, most pompous douche you'll ever see.
The other clearly has it so he can park in a special spot from the other cars, not a single glimpse of any type of disability. But the whole area i'm in is like that, almost ever corvette owner has them and I highly suspect almost none of them need them.
The other clearly has it so he can park in a special spot from the other cars, not a single glimpse of any type of disability. But the whole area i'm in is like that, almost ever corvette owner has them and I highly suspect almost none of them need them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 72
From: Kansas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 72
From: Kansas
No surprise but this system is prone to abuse. While most handicap tags are deserved there are many who get them that shouldn't. At my former job a few friends had them to get close parking spots. The same guys would take the afternoon off to play golf with no cart. Walking and moderate exercise is good for most people. Living in Florida now I see the abuse every day. The family car gets a handicap tag because on member is challenged and the rest of the family uses the car and parks in the front row at Walmart.
