I get an abundance of Parkie’s sharing their stores of hopefulness, sadness and frustration. But this one got me thinking how would I have handled this situation. Jane writes,
“Hello Allison –
I am a fan of your emails and also a Parkie.
I wanted to get your thoughts on a situation that happened to me over the weekend. I went to the movies with my husband and stopped by the restroom before seeing the movie. The bathroom was empty and I used the handicap bathroom so I could use the grab bars. While in the bathroom I hear someone else come in and park outside my stall door. When I opened the stall door to leave I see the lady was in a wheelchair and very irate and started scolding me for using the handicap bathroom. I was shocked and didn’t know how to reply. What would you have done?”
So I will pass this question on to you guys and gals…. how would you have responded to this situation?
If she’s that angry, something else is up. Generally people tend to be understanding. Post office employees tend to have more anger than most, hence the phrase “go postal.” I would just say, I have Parkinson’s. Have a better day, then simile and walk away.
I agree Saying the least works.
NEVER pass an opportunity to educate the public whether they want it or not.
Happened to me using disabled parking spot. My mom gave lady tongue lashing. At the time i had to come down stairs on my kabump. People need to be nice to one another and understanding of one another as not all disabilities are visible.
I think there are small cards available with a list of Parkinson’s symptoms and a brief overview of the disease. someone may know where to obtain these. Or if not readily available they would be easy to make . They could be merely handed to the person without comment.-This could be done in a neutral fashion. Two events came to mind- once a few days before Christmas as I was leaving our post office and a young man said ” smile, things can’t be that bad!” And the clerk who said-” You have been fumbling around with your change and there are people waiting behind you”
I hate it when people tell me to smile! I’m a pretty person cheery and a forced smile won’t make me feel anymore happy.
I don’t think that’s a Parkinson’s thing; I think it’s a woman thing. For some reason, people (especially men) feel compelled to tell women they barely know / don’t know at all to smile; I’ve never heard of a man being told the same thing. Whatever the reason, it’s irritating. Like, on top of the 117 things I’ve got on my mind right now, I have to concern myself with looking happy all the time just to appease you? Please!
I am so self conscious when I am holding some one else up. It makes me worse and I end up dropping my pocketbook
or keys. Then I’m really a hot mess…