Paradoxically Yours...

The Shame Game

(prompt: 'free' 17/11/2017)

Her face was red, her otherwise attractive features distorted with rage as she shouted at Kanute, "Are you crazy, you f...ing mongrel? You could have killed somebody!" She was blind to reason, and to Kanute's painful slowness as he slowly emerged from our car, unable even to access the walking frame I was unloading from the boot, because of this aggressor, firmly blocking his way as she roundly abused him for 'almost causing a collision'. For a moment, we were both so stunned we could only exchange frowns and raised eyebrows.

It started innocently enough - or so we thought. Only a simple trip to our closest regional 'city' for a shopping expedition, seeking those items not available at our local small town. Due to various health problems, our 'disabled permit' parking card is SO handy to pop up on our front car window, some 'lesser' days. It allows us to park close to the shops of our choice in designated areas for free - a grateful perk on the wettest of days when we are unable to run for shelter; the hottest of days present their own problems, too. If it's an OK kind of day we're having, we happily choose a regular park. Seems an honest and fair thing to do.

On this day, we waited patiently for another disabled parker to leave, backing up slightly to allow him more reversing space. Kanute was fully aware another car also waited a short distance behind us and half-expected a warning 'toot' - but neither of us were prepared for the terrifying blast of that car's horn. With a glance in his rear vision mirror, Kanute shrugged it off, taking it simply as an over-protective caution, and then drove into the disabled park. And then there she was, having jumped out of her car, leaving it to block all others, whilst barring Kanute's access to the walking frame that permitted him outings. She continued to shout loudly, causing many passersby to stop and see what was happening. Amongst other accusations, she enlightened us that 'fatalities happen every day in car parks' and suggested Kanute had all but caused another. Well-ll...

Maybe she was simply having a 'bad hair' day. Maybe. Guess she'll never know how upsetting it is for those with the disabilities that entitle them to this particular parking. And despite the temptation, an exchanged glance between us and a slight shake of our heads helped us recall (but NOT use) our time-worn words - 'wouldn't wish these (physical problems) on our worst enemy'.

Karma showed and glowed in the eyes of the audience and was heard in their mutters of disgust with the woman. The hope burned bright that our tightly controlled and dignified response would follow her the rest of her day... maybe even change her attitude in the future, when she had time to cool off. Maybe she would replay the ugly scene to someone else, and REALLY hear herself. Maybe.

Disabled parking is certainly free - monetarily, that is. But free from ignorance, disrespect - even abuse? Sadly not.