Handicap spaces represent ‘civility’

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    Kimmy is 10. She’s handicapped. She’s my granddaughter.

    I can’t get her in or out of a car without the extra width of a handicapped parking space. I applaud and appreciate the efforts of parking officers who attempt to keep the spaces inviolate, even by people who borrow them only for a “few seconds” or when they’re in a pinch.

    Anyone who violates the spaces, under whatever circumstances, sends a message that it’s okay. Or that it’s cool to fudge and get away with it–the UCLA athletes. The spaces often appear to be under-used, but in truth, about 50 percent of the time, they’ re full, often with cars where no “handicapped” card hangs from the rear-view mirrors. The problem isn’t how long an invalid user is in the space, but the lack of respect for what the spaces are all about. In these harsh and graceless times, they represent enlightened civility

    I guarantee, spend one week with a handicapped person and you’ll never misuse their parking spaces again.

    Jean Craig