Vegas: "Think Before You Speak"

I promise I am ALMOST finished talking about my trip to Las Vegas last month.

I realize that people are ignorant and all the attempts to educate some of them are all for naught because they just don't get it!!! It's been almost two months and every time I think about what I am about to write, it infuriates me!

When MyHubby and I were coming home from Las Vegas, we decided to use the 'handicapped card'. I hate doing that.  I AM "handicapped' or disabled if you rather that term. I have learned to put my pride on the side and sometimes use the resources available to get from Point A to Point B a bit easier. That week was really tiring for me and it is such a long walk from the waiting room to the plane.

When we disembarked the plane a week before, people were walking around me and then cutting in front me. MyHubby had commented when we eventually got to the same place where ALL the people who passed me waiting for their bags, "Gee, look how far ya'll got?" Of course, those who heard, acted like "It wasn't me!"

Anyway, when we were finally called to board the plane to come home, we were beside a 90ish gentleman and his 40ish Granddaughter. He was a frail elderly male walking with assistance of a walker. We were at a standstill. The granddaughter offered us to go in front of them as he walked slowly. We thankfully declined explaining I was slow and we were not in a hurry..The plane was not going to leave us.

There we were, yet in another line but not going anywhere. When we stretched our necks we noticed a 30-40ish couple making a big ruckus. The woman, drunk was loud and telling the employee that she was handicapped and had to get on first. The employee did not buy it. She was blocking the area so no one was moving. The worker, who was a 50ish old male who had been annoyed by another passenger (Yet, another post) asked her politely to move out of the way.

She moved, for a second and as a family with small children were making their way past her, she made her way back and yelled, "I am with them!" and points at them. The mother just ignored her. As the frail gentleman pass, she scans us from head to toe,then yells, "I need a walker! I wish I was handicapped." OMG! Did she just say that, I thought. WTH? However, she was already onto the next passenger before I could put my thoughts through my brain. I was shocked. Not because I have not heard it before, just the display of ignorance that was before me..

As we finally got through the door, the worker had told her if he had to tell her again, she was going to be escorted elsewhere.

The Granddaughter and I were talking as the four of us snail paced to the plane. I told her I was so offended and Granddaughter said said she was so rude. She said, "She had no idea what it is like." I said, "Maybe she should walk in you one his shoes for one day?" The Grand daughter agreed but then chuckled and said, "We don't wanna wish on the people that would have to be caring for her." I had to agree with her.

Sigh!

What would I have told the ignorant woman if I had a chance? Besides some expletives because I was ANGRY. I would tell her she needs to watch what she says as she can offend others. And maybe, God help her, a family member or herself could BECOME handicapped, how would she feel about that?

Or what about getting in a wheelchair for a day to see what it is REALLY like to be handicapped OR be blind for a day. Or whatever her SO SMART mind could come up with. MyHubby was coaxing me forward, as he had not heard it, and people were behind me and we were already delayed a good 10 minutes by this IGNORANT WOMAN!

 So before we talk, we need to THINK before we allow it to flow out of our mouths.

Pleading With College Police

First and foremost, I promised to acknowledge a fellow blogger,,Pencil GIrl who unconfused me on WordPress. She was an angel giving me a solution to my ongoing problem on Word Press. Check out her blog. She is a sweet kind generous person.

Second, I  know this was suppose to be Part 3 of my mini vacation. However, I have not had time to upload pics I want to post and just sit and write all of my experience at the Medieval Times. Yesterday was busy and unaccomplished. Don't you hate those days? Today is just downright yucky. Rain. Rain. Rain. People down here wished it would rain. I didn't but now they  have it.

So here I am wanting to keep the pattern in blogging every day. although I'm blahzee, I want you to smile so here it is.

Yesterday, I went to my BabyGirl's college as requested by her to see if her financial aid and scholarship came through to see how much out of pocket will be needed.  She is still in MS.

As I said, it was raining. As alot of colleges, its huge. I actually spent 3 semesters to get my RN license but due to circumstances I had to stop and stayed a LPN.

She told me to go to Corona Hall which is where the cashier is. You know how campuses have all these long walks and buildings. The street Corona Hall is on  a two way narrow strip with parking spaces along the already narrow street. The Security Police, the hall for disabled and Post office are across the street..Check out the map below!

I remember bringing her to Corona once and remembered a parking lot right in back. However, as being a former student there I also know all parking spaces are assigned. So I dutifully drove to Martin Hall which is where visitors are suppose to go. There was a small toll booth to pass through. I stated my business and situation. I told her I would pay for a temp parking permit showing her my handicapped placard if I could park closer to the hall.

She told me all she could offer was a free 30 minute parking space where a car was backing up in that lot. I understand there are rules and I never use the handicapped card but I knew I would take longer than 30 minutes with my breathing.  I told her I would be back.

For a reminder or if you are a new follower, I have a mild case of Cerebral Palsy and lung disease among too many to mentioned illnesses. I am disabled from the lung disease. I never used my CP excuse until I developed the lung disease. And no, I have never ever smoked. I also didn't have a handicapped placard until my lung disease developed.

Anyway, I drove to the street Corona Hall was on and drove up and down creating my plan. The road on the side if the building that goes to the parking lot were ALL closed off due to construction. That plan was eliminated.

As I passed the next Hall, Olivier, I noticed  instantly that  there was a row of handicapped parking spaces in a small parking lot with maybe 2 cars. . There was a walk from the parking lot to Corona Hall.

I know you're looking at the map and think they're close..its not for me I promise you!

The rain had slowed down AND it was closer than Martin. I know when the weather is rainy, Campus Police are out with their tickets knowing the students try to get away with parking illegal. I was desperate.

I parked in a handicapped parking space and found a piece of paper. I wrote UL POLICE PLEASE DON'T TICKET ME. I AM HANDICAPPED AND AT CORONA HALL.TO SEE ABOUT MY DAUGHTER'S TUITION. PLEASE PLEASE DON'T TICKET ME. I wrote her name and my name.

It was still raining but not as hard so I walked to Corona Hall via the sidewalk. I talked to the nice lady and did my business.

As I walk out and around the corner towards my car,  my fear comes true. I see the Campus Police Car on the side of my car!  I thought, "HOLY COW" That is the Rated G form. HA! I start walking faster, moving my  my arms with my paper like waving a flag. I increase my speed carefully as I don't want to slide and fall on my face. Everyone who knows me can picture this right? LOL.

As I think about it, he was PARKED in the handicapped area without a placard LOL

So I yell, "Hey, Mr. Police!" I can feel the humidity settling in my lungs.I can't run much and walk fast..So I'm walking as fast as I am, waving  my hands in the air yelling PLEASE DON'T.

He was a 5'6 dark head Chinese young man dressed in his Uniform.

He looks at me like "What the hell."  I am sure all he saw was a DRUNK woman in blue jeans and neon green muscle shirt (Yes, a cop has stopped me before thinking I was drunk when I wasn't)

He walks around my car eyeing me. I FINALLY get to him short of breath and pleaded breathing heavy, "Please officer! I have a handicapped placard but Martin Hall's lady wouldn't give me a temp parking pass. Please don't give me a ticket."

He says, "You do know you are suppose to have a UL parking sticker?"

I said, "Yes, I do. My BabyGirl is in MS and asked me to come see about her scholarship and financial aid.

His pen was on the paper. I hold out  my hand to stop him  and I begged, "Please, as you can see I am handicapped! I did offer the Martin Hall Lady money for the anywhere to park but she said she couldn't. I understand that.  It's raining and it would have taken me longer to walk than the 30 minutes she would have given me. Please please give me a break."

His eyes move up and down my small body. I'm sure he didn't understand much of what I was saying since I was so short of breath. People have to get used to my speech as I say I have the CP drawl. My family and friends say they never thought of it like that. But when you have CP and in a bunch of others with CP, you notice!

I somehow get into my car and hand him my note from the dashboard.

He looks up at me again and says, "I'll let you go this time."

I said,"THANK YOU SIR. GOD BLESS YOU."

I got in the car. As I was driving out the parking lot, I looked in the rearview mirror and he was watching me with a confused face..hehe..So be nice to the UL Security..hehe

Also UL missed out on some $ because I was happy to pay for the temp parking ticket but noooo...so there you go. No worries! They'll get it through my child's outrageous tuition.

I would not encourage anyone to try what I did because it was ILLEGAL and the person won't be as lucky as I was.