Handicapped Parking and Elevators

I have been thinking for a while that I need a place to rant about things that I as a cripple have to deal with that the non-cripple never thinks about.  This seems like the perfect place to do it.  So here goes.
1. Handicapped parking
Look, I get it.  Handicapped parking is nice.  It's really close to the door.  That's the point.  All the time, whichever friend of mine is driving me says, "Cool!  I forgot, I'm with you so I can park in the handicapped spot!"  I always laugh, because it's true.  But here's the thing.  They can only park in the handicapped spot because they are with me.  Handicapped spots are for people that CAN'T walk long distances to the door.  If you can walk, it might be a longer way, but start walking.  I would if I could.  Please understand, I'm not trying to be rude.  I do realize that there are some people that have disabilities that are less "visible" than a guy in an electric wheelchair.  I get it, and that's fine, but those people aren't even the ones I'm addressing here.  Every single time I go somewhere, there is someone parked in a handicapped spot that doesn't have a handicapped placard or license plate.  What I'm saying is this.  If you don't have a placard, don't park there.  Parking there for "just a minute" is a minute too long.  Also, don't use a handicapped person's placard if that person isn't with you.  That's just wrong.  Like I said, if you can walk, walk!  Being Ambulatory is a gift from God.  Don't waste it.

Before I continue, I just want to say that I am not trying to be coarse or spiteful.  I'm not one of those "Oh woe is me, I'm crippled, pity me" whackos.  Life is too short to go around seeking pity.  You're dealt the hand you're dealt.  Sometimes you're dealt a bad hand, but so what? The only person stopping you fro making your life better is you.  Me?  Yeah, I'm crippled but that doesn't mean my life sucks.  It doesn't.  The point I'm making is this.   Unless you deal with a disabled person on a regular basis, you don't think about these things.  So you can think of this as my attempt to "make the public aware."  As I said in yesterday's post, this is all my opinion.  You can take it or leave it.  If anything I say offends you, stop reading, unfriend me, do whatever you wish, but it's not my intention to offend.  As I said, this is the world as I see it.  Now with that said, moving right along.
2. Elevators
You know what makes me sick?  You know what makes me so mad I could just spit?  Seeing an elevator full of ambulatory people that are fully capable of walking upstairs.  It never occurs to anyone to get out, and make room for someone in a wheelchair, who actually relies on it to get places.  Now, this is where I will get in trouble.  I am fully aware that obesity is recognized and protected by the ADA.  I am also aware that some people have gland problems that stop them from losing weight.  But get real.  I'm from the South and the south is the fried food capital of the world.  My personal opinion is that if you are overweight, you did it to yourself.  Each and every person reading this is capable of deciding what to put in his or her own mouth.  If you have to huff a little to get upstairs, good!  Your heart will thank you!  I KNOW that sounds mean, and if I ever develop a readership I know I'll get negative comments for that.  But, for everyone that thinks this is mean, I ask you.  Please.  Go sit in a wheelchair for a day and have every elevator you try to catch be packed with ambulatories and then get back to me.
Okay, I better stop before I really get in trouble.  CAG out.

Aww Here it goes.

So I wanted to blog.  So for the past week I have done all this research on blogging, things like, "What should I write about?"  "What's my 'Niche?' I didn't find the answer to those questions.  I just know I like writing things, and I think it would be kinda cool to get famous because people read random crap I said over the internet.  So this is my blog.  Here are the "need-to-know" facts about me.
1.  I am 25.
2. I am still in college.  I am seeking a double BA in English Literature and Theatre Performance.  Both of these degrees are what most people consider "useless."  But here's the thing.  It's my life, my education.  Maybe I am deluded, but I like to believe that I am talented enough to make something of myself.
3.  I have moderate spastic Cerebral Palsy.  I use an electric wheelchair, but am working on transitioning to a manual wheelchair because I know that will be better for my long-term health.
4.  I am not politically correct.  I call myself a cripple.  People sometimes say I shouldn't call myself that. To me, if it doesn't bother me, it shouldn't bother you.  I realize words can be hurtful.  I have been called hurtful things, and I do my best because of that to never hurt or offend others.  That being said, everyone has an opinion, and that's what this is.  My opinion.  I hope I can provide some entertainment through this, we'll see.
5.  That's it.  If you read my blog, you'll get a bit of everything.  Enjoy!