Originally Posted by Punki
I don't even think that people who use a cane or crutches (which I have been required to do for several extended periods of time in my life) should use up the wheelchair accessible spaces. They don't need them.
Gee I am so glad you have become judge and jury for us all.
Personally my father walks with a cane and he has a handicapped placard. He needs to open the car door fully and needs plenty of room to enter and egress the car. The extra space of a handicapped space is essential. I am sensitive to the needs of others and if I am driving I will drop him off at the front door and take a "regular" spot. Sometimes that isn't feesible and parking as close as possible, especially in very cold temperatures where walking the additional 20 yards in the bitter cold can be just too much for him. His pace is very slow and the less he is out in bitter cold/rain/etc. the better. Just because he is handicapped doesn't give him any less right to be out in public spaces. Our outings are some of the only times he gets out of the house so put away your "security badge" and mind your own business.