As a 40-year advocate of the rights for individuals who are disabled and/or handicapped I can appreciate your experiences ("Handicapped parking spaces," Pat Wiesner, July).
My 89-year-old mother has her parking card, and part of the enjoyment in going out with her to a restaurant or to the doctor is the general availability of incredibly convenient parking spaces. One thing that sends hackles up and down my spine is when I pull into the parking lot of my local King Soopers and I spot someone sprinting from their car to the store entrance from a "handicapped parking spot."
The more militant advocates I have known will aggressively "attack" the violator to the point of standing behind the car as it tries to exit the spot while calling for police support to issue a ticket. The number of parking spaces and the fact they are often vacant is a definite annoyance for many people who have not experienced the need for them.
Having been around many people who are quadriplegic yet are able to drive, I can only say that the Herculean effort they have to make to get from point A to point B just to go shopping, to a movie, or a restaurant, let alone a medical appointment is something to behold.
--DAVID E. HENNINGER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BAYAUD ENTERPRISES INC., DENVER




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