no parking.

I pick Noah up from school each day at 2:30, but I get there pretty early because parking can get bad and the carpool line gets really backed up. Because he needs assistance, I cannot do the carpool line-- I park and wait for him outside the main doors where he is escorted by his teacher or an aid. Yesterday I realized there were talks going on and the four "VE Disability" spots were not being used appropriately. Are you kidding me? I guess even though it's the law that you cannot park in a handicapped (I hate this word, but am using it for this story so you can understand) unless needed, I would think that ethically this would be something that would come naturally. I guess not.

Today I pulled in and got a spot (not very close, but not super far from the school) and watched a big SUV pull into one of these four spots. I watched. A pre-k child bounced out and his mom followed. I stepped up behind her with Reese on a hip and holding Noah's hand and just asked:

"excuse me, did you know this parking was for kids with disabilities only?"
"yes, but I am just running in" she said.
"but, you are not authorized to park here and there are so many kids in this school in wheelchairs or witch CP that have a hard time walking."
"Listen, I am in there like one minute and then come back out."
(I was trying to be composed because my children were with me... so I calmly continued)
"I'm sorry, that doesn't change the fact that you have taken a spot that someone else may have needed much more than you. It's not right."
She rolled her eyes and scurried away.

This is the part of the story when I want to say that she probably didn't know better and wouldn't do it again. But I think she absolutely knew and would do it again. I believe she thinks it's labeled one way, but if you can get in and out within a certain time period then it doesn't count. Pathetic.

I get exhausted trying to figure out people like this. I just don't understand.