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Disabled Redditor Called Out For Using ‘Expectant Mother’ Parking Since All Disabled Spots Were Taken

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Whether it’s for the short-term or the long-term, some people unfortunately run into struggles moving around.

Thankfully, many public places—not all but, but more than ever—have offered adaptations to help folks out.

But as one Redditor recently explained in a post on the “Am I the A**hole (AITA)” subReddit, the usefulness of those adaptations rely on people behaving themselves.

The Original Poster (OP), known as taanxiety234 on the site, hinted at the confusion in the post’s title: 

“AITA for parking in expectant mother parking at the grocery store?”

OP began with some key background information. 

“I have an autoimmune disease that limits my mobility. I have handicapped plates on my car, and on bad days I have a walker to use as I have issues walking.”

“Normally I have groceries delivered to my house, but we were expecting bad weather this weekend and wanted to pick up a few things while I was getting my medication refill.”

“Because this medication is controlled, I have to show identification to pick it up and they will not deliver it to me.

“I know in a few years I won’t be as mobile as I am now, so I try to enjoy my independence and being able to do things for myself, which is why I do not ask my friends or parents to help me with errands unless I absolutely have to.”

On a recent errand, OP bumped into an obstacle.

“When I got to the grocery store, all of the handicapped spots were full.”

“The only close parking were spots designated for expectant mothers and families with small children, so I did park there because the only other open spots were at the back of the lot, too far for me to walk safely even with my walker.”

But there was an audience.

“As I was getting my walker out of the backseat, a woman and her husband pulled up and the woman started shouting at me that I was not allowed to park there, it was reserved for pregnant women.”

“I explained that I was disabled and all of the handicapped spots were full, and she started yelling that she needed the spot because she was pregnant.”

“The man who was with her told her to stop it and said he would drop her off at the door, and she yelled at him to shut up.”

But OP powered through. 

“I got my walker out of the backseat and made my way to the pharmacy, got a few treats for the weekend and a word search book in case power went out.”

“When I got back to my car, the police were there and so was the woman and man from earlier.”

She was left to deal with the drama. 

“They called the police and the woman had accused me of having fake handicapped plates and lying about being disabled. The police officer asked to see my license and registration.”

“I explained that I had an autoimmune disease that affects my mobility. I assume the police officer checked to see if the handicapped plates were valid because he just handed my stuff back to me and told the woman that there was nothing he could do.”

“He said that the spots were a courtesy of the store and they had no control over who parked in them, but did tell her that it should be okay for disabled people to use them when no handicapped spots were available.”

This led to plenty of conflicting takes. 

“The man who was with her was very upset and just kept apologizing and telling her to drop it but she just kept shouting at me that I had no right to steal the spot away from her because she needed it more.”

“I went home and was very upset. I did not think that I did anything wrong by parking there.”

“My mother said that I should have just went home and went back out later, my friends think that I was fine to park there because all of the handicapped spots were taken.”

“AITA for parking in the expectant mother parking space at the store?”

Anonymous strangers weighed in by declaring:

  • NTA – Not The A**hole
  • YTA – You’re The A**hole
  • ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
  • NAH – No A**holes Here

Most Redditors were firmly on OP’s side. 

“NTA If she had the energy to yell, scream and call the cops on someone with a walker, she had the energy to walk to the store from a regular parking space.” — the_owl_syndicate

“NTA. Expectant Mother spots are not legally protected the same way as handicapped spots. As the police officer said, they are a courtesy of the store (which is why not every store has them).”

“You had a very valid reason for using the spot as it was more than just convenience.”

“That woman was just rude. Pregnancy isn’t a disability and she had someone with her. Regardless of where her car was parked, she still had the better end of the deal, especially since her husband said he’d drop her and then park.” — AdministrationThis77

“NTA Those spaces are a courtesy of the store. Literally anyone could park in them – it’s just a sign. As a person with an actual handicapped placard, it would make far more sense for you to park there than her.”

“No wonder her husband was embarrassed. I hope it was just hormones that caused her to react in such an insensitive way.” — graynavyblack

“NTA the police said all that needs to be said- it’s ok to use the spots when no handicapped spots are available.”

“Also you were alone with no help while she had her husband with her. Like he said, he could just drop her off and she wouldn’t be disadvantaged in any way. She’s a huge AH for not only ignoring him but calling the police.” — ladyblue56

A few wondered about what happens beyond this parking lot. 

“NTA- She is a horrible woman and I feel bad for her husband and future child. Being handicap trumps being pregnant. You were in the right, her entitled a** wasn’t in this situation.” — whynot246810

“NTA. That poor, poor husband. His life must be a living hell.” — reditteditred

We hope OP has no trouble parking where she needs to in the future.

Written by Eric Spring

Eric Spring lives in New York City. He has poor vision and cooks a good egg. Most of his money is spent on live music and produce. He usually wears plain, solid color sweatshirts without hoods because he assumes loud patterns make people expect something big. Typically, he'll bypass a handshake and go straight for the hug.