How do you handle getting yelled at, cursed at, or given dirty looks for parking in a handicapped spot?

Personally, if a person is not displaying a handicap sign from rear view mirror and or displayed on their license plate "SHOULD NOT" be parking in locations that is designated handicap. I for one if I see this and the person is there, I will say something regardless if that person likes what I got to say.

SGT Elizabeth Elliott ... Well it depends on whether you are talking about someone who is not authorized or authorized. Parking in a handicapped spot without authorization is a crime. Many people have disabilities that warrant them getting handicapped plates or a placard, but when you look at them, they appear OK... and we wonder if they are abusing the system. It is really no one's business but yours, so just ignore it.

For some perspective...

1. I was a WRAMC visiting some of our wounded warriors, and on the way in, in the summer on a hot day, a Soldier passed me at high rate of speed and saluted in civilian clothes. He had on shorts and a tank top. If he had not been dressed like that, I would not have ever known, based on his speed and agility, that he had two prosthetic legs and one prosthetic arm.

2. I am 90% service connected disabled, and could get plates or placard, but will not... I get around just fine... But, I could if I wanted to...

I don't know what the best solution is, but knowing me, rest assured whatever the best is, it wouldn't be the one I'd choose! LOL.

This scenario, which does not affect me personally, I have thought about, because I know a guy who lost a foot/ankle and he walks fine with the prosthetic he got-usually. Sometimes though it hurts his leg or hip to walk on it. He doesn't generally feel the need to put the placard up and park in handicap spots, but on those days when its sore he will.

Never mind the placard, never mind the Purple Heart license plate (apparently civilians have no clue what the hell that means, so they can't put 2 & 2 together), but because he doesn't "look" properly handicapped, he has had issues with know-nothing do-gooders on occasion. The guy isn't one to suffer fools lightly; and he's a little bitter about losing his appendage in combat only to have stupid civilians try to tell him where to park.

His solution regarding those kinds of people is generally a hostile one when they try to publically shame him and he'll confront them on the spot. He posted on Facebook a story about how he once pulled up his pant leg and offered to give the do-gooder his prosthetic foot...up the guy's ass! Even after that, Mr. Do-Gooder, probably too proud to admit he was a dip-shit, still wouldn't let it go, and they had to be separated. Told ya he was bitter.

I don't know if rubbing someone's ignorance in their face like that is the best solution, but I sure do understand it; it's probably something I would do depending on my mood.

Good luck out there.

I don't have a handicap spot. I can barely walk on most days but I am stubborn and avoid getting 100% VA and parking spots. I just deal with my pain and hope the people that have more serious injuries get it because I don't tie up the system. (serious like missing legs and shit)

If you truly need the handicap spot then I would not pay much attention to anyone questioning you. But the truth is not all veterans with a disability claim from the VA are disabled. I don't like when anyone abuses a system for self benefit or attention. I am not handicapped so I don't need the space, but I have friends that re in wheel chairs and missing legs and if saw someone using a spot and didn't even have a walker or cane I would be a little suspicious.

Considering I don't have a handicapped permit, I would deserve every bit of it if I parked in one lol.

In my civilian career I was responsible for grounds which included parking areas.

I once had a spouse of a disabled person park in a prime handicapped space in front of a medical building. His spouse was not with him. I asked him to move on and he became belligerent and told me he could park there because he has a placard. I simply said you are in violation because the person for whom the permit is issued is not with you and if you don't move on I will call the police and have them issue a citation.

He knew he was wrong and moved.