We try to make things better for the physically disabled like special parking spots, carts / scooters, by-passing lines at events and airports. But now it seems everyone wants in on the fun! Why is it simply being overweight is now a handicap? What about those who have no visible physical disability who take the last handicapped spot and bound into the store? Yeah, yeah I know not all disabilities are visible but it seems the once ample handicapped parking is all too often full. The scooters disappear at places like Costco and disability claims are skyrocketing. I think there are several reasons for what's going on.
First, we here in the USA are simply getting fatter, sicker and generally less healthy with each passing year. A fat dude with emphysema is handicapped after all. He now needs the spot just as much as the paraplegic. Weight gain leads to multiple health problems as we all (should) know. Our diets are terrible and if anything are getting worse. Try to remember this the next time the idea of fast -food pops in your mind. It is much more costly in the long run. In addition to exponentially increased health costs there are also exponential decreases in the quality of life. Getting older is hard enough as it is but add 20, 30, 50 or a 100 pounds to the mix and watch your health completely go to shit. I'm not just being a preachy douche bag. These are the facts. For the record I consider myself overweight. Not massively but enough to think I can speak from experience. Not getting around well sucks for whatever reason. Don't make it worse.
Our bar for what's considered "handicapped" has lowered or broadened. This is just a feeling I have. I think it would be hard to "prove" one way or another. Contrary to media hype, the economy is still tanking. So a lot of people see disability checks as a way out. Now this is something we can verify. I think this is a reasonable source with some good key points thrown in. Maybe this explains why handicapped placards seem to be given out like cotton candy at a county fair. This is not going to be an easy problem to solve. It's hard to swing back the other way and given our modern fast-food life style almost impossible.
If people can justify being a Nazi, ISIS or KKK member then justifying stealing a handicapped spot, scooter or cutting in a line is a snap! "Oh, I only wanted to run in and out." "All the handicapped spaces are empty." "The lines are too long-I'll say I'm physically handicapped." Nobody thinks they are bad people and in their minds these excuses are totally okay. Society, generally, lets it slide. I hear ya, how does being a Nazi equate to stealing a handicapped spot? The idea is we can con ourselves into believing almost anything, making them no big deal. You need to always listen to that little voice or voices telling you right from wrong. Beware of the one that says "...its okay this time." or ...its just a little thing." Hey, you either do wrong or you don't! Just this one little time does not make it okay. But I'm not done yet...
A note to handicapped people. Here's a little of what I've learned so far. Take what works for you and leave the rest. Don't be an asshole. Everybody has stuff to deal with, as Christians say, crosses to bear. Ask for help rather than demand it. Use please and thank you a lot. Allow whatever your handicap is to make you a better person. I've learned patience, tenacity and easiness. I should say I'm still learning those things and more. I think the world does NOT owe me more more than I owe it. Life won't give you any more than you can handle. Remember you are not alone and you got this!
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