Okay...everyone knows what this sign means, yes?
Since my foot was removed 5 years ago, I have become well acquainted with this symbol and what it represents. To some, it is a close parking spot only for privileged people that may or may not deserve it, to others it is a necessary evil.
I'm not talking about parking spots today though, folks. I'm talking about movie theaters.
In recent years, movie theaters have become much more advanced and they have, thankfully, become more compliant towards the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA). This includes stadiums, and sports arenas as well. Typically they are parts of the theater where there are little or no steps and ramps and areas where you can park a wheelchair.
This last Friday, My mother and I took my son to see Disney's Planes at our local megaplex and when we got to the theater entrance we were denied entry to the house because they were cleaning it for our showing. Since it was opening day, there was a fairly sizable group of people there, some with families with several small children. Wehn we were allowed in I proceeded into the theater and up the ramp entry because being an amputee I don't climb steps very well.
By the time I emerged into the theater all of the seats designated for those with disabilities were occupied by these families, some of whom had converted the booster seats for their small children into seating that were taking up the large gaps between the handicapped seating. I give them a few points for ingenuity but onlya few because none of these people were truly disabled...unless too lazy to climb steps means your disabled these days, which I'm pretty sure it doesn't.
If this look familiar you're right. About two years ago I wrote a similar entry and voiced my displeasure. Most people look at me and say, "Well, you have a prosthetic foot and you should be able to climb steps pretty easy, right?". Most of the people who say that have both of the feet they were born with. It's not as easy as it looks folks. Remember, I had to re-learn how to walk and climb stairs and everything else that comes as second nature.
Even with my disability I still yield my seat if there are people in wheelchairs who's caregiver needs to be close to them through the movie...it's the decent thing to do. It just infuriates me that people are willing to occupy seats designated for disabled people because they are too lazy to climb steps. I'm happy the good Lord allowed you the privilege of a large family, but you are going to have to teach them to climb steps before too long, right?
I'll get to the fact that the parents refused to control their children in the movie at a later time.
No comments:
Post a Comment