I am looking for help in changing the handicapped parking laws. I don't know where to start, but here is a runddown of what I want to do; please email me if you have any resources or advice for me: the abuse of the placards goes beyond pissing me off. As a complete t-2 para, I have gotten into more than one argument with someone obviously using someone else's card just to park up close. Some of us care where we are parked for respiratory or fatigue related reasons, but most of us care only about getting the wide space, as Allen pointed out, because we need to deploy a ramp, or in my case, assemble a wheelchair at my driver's door. In a regular spot, I can be trapped in or out of my vehicle due to people parking next to me. I also agree that part of the problem is the large number of elderly people in our country. That being said though, I don't think old=disabled. Nor does overweight, or pregnant, or any of the other variety of reasons one could use to park up close. Of course old people have "disablilites," their bodies are wearing out, but most Americans could qualify as being "disabled" in some form or fashion. Anyway, my issue is with the one or two van accessible spots available in any given lot. I want to legislate for these to become "wheelchair/rampvan only" spots. We need the extra space afforded to that spot. I cannot count how many times I have been forced to park in the distant far-away land of the parking lot where noone is parked or likely to park, because of no handicap availibility, wearing myself out before getting where I want to go, or getting AD from the Texas sun, then to come out and someone has parked next to me with dozens of spaces open all around me. Not to mention that these isolated areas of the parking lot are dangerous for a 90 lb female para.That is what I want to do. I don't know if I should begin with a petition, or contact local government officials, or what........... I need someone to give me some advice on how to get started. I think the benefits for the small population of wheelchair users far outweighs any consequences to the general public. Everyone else can keep the rest of the handicapped parking, because I do realize there are a variety of reasons a person would need this parking for. I think the chances of another person in a wheelchair being at the place I want to go and using the "wheelchair only" spot are unlikely, therfore only one would be needed (as long as people don't abuse that too). It could be easily monitored if wheelchair users just got a dr. rx and the dmv could add a code to the placard. Any advice/suggestions? My email is tbirdplumbing@yahoo.com.

Hey Tracy!!! My name is Kevin and I'm not new but not old to The Reeve Foundation!!! I've been in my situation for 12 1/2 years now (since June of '98) I can't say that I know exactly what you're going through,,, but if you need someone to talk to,,, and if you need a friend,,, you can count on me!!! ;-) If you would like my email,,, just ask me,,, and I'll let you know what it is!!! I hope you have an enjoyable Merry Christmas,,, and a Happy New Year!!! Always remember,,, forever forward!

I am in need of a wheelchair accessable van, suv, or truck. I have a family so if it's a truck it needs to be extended cab. If it's a van or suv, the ramp needs to be on the side, so I can drive. I don't care what it looks like, but needs to run good, because I can't be stranded by myself on the side of the road with my children. If anyone has an inexpensive vehicle like this for sale (under $5000) please let me know. I am relatively desperate and would be willing to travel to get it. I could also trade a 2003 Toyota Corolla in good shape with a standard transmission and/or a power chair in great condition to offset the cost a bit.

I am looking for advice. I made the biggest mistake newbies tend to make. I was so eager to get back to my regular life after my accident that I bought a car and had it fitted with hand controls so that I could drive again. I bought a 2010 Toyota Corolla, because of the 0% financing. I bought the car 6 months before I got my wheelchair. The problem that resulted was of course, that the chair doesn't fit into the car. I can't get it over me from the driver seat because it is too big. I can't get a braun or spider car topper because it's a rigid frame chair. I am stuck with this car and my chair cost almost $10,000, so getting a new one of those is also out of the question. I have searched high and low for a solution to getting some sort of "crane" or whatever that can lift the chair from the side of my car and place it on top securely, but I have found NOTHING.

I have even considered a slide board running along side of the car so I can get to the back of the car where I could install a hitch.

ANY ideas would be appreciated!