While in Destin at our condo this month escaping from the cold and rain in Atlanta, Cheryl had a unique episode while shopping at a Belk store.  Once again the ignorance of a “normal” person caused significant delay and frustration for both of us.

Cheryl was looking for a short sleeved shirt because she didn’t bring enough warm weather clothes.  She rolled into the dressing room area to try on a couple of shirts while I waited in the “designated husband chair” outside.  She was in the dressing room for what seemed like a longer than necessary time.  I began looking for a saleslady to go in and check on her.  About that time, she came rolling out with a perturbed look on her face.  I asked her if the shirts fit and she replied she had not tried them on yet.  She said she had tried to get into the dressing rooms but couldn’t get in with enough room to shut the door.

She then said “I  have to have the handicap dressing room but there is someone in there”. We agreed we just needed to be patient as a handicap woman probably would take more time to change clothes.  So we waited.  Cheryl went back into the dressing room area to insure no one else got the handicap dressing room when the woman exited.  I waited “patiently” in the husband chair.  More time went by.  And more time.  We waited patiently over 20 minutes.

Finally the door opened and a well dressed middle aged woman came out with many dresses on her arm.  Ready for the megaton bomb point of this entire post?  She was not handicapped in any way!  Other than between her ears.

Cheryl reminded the woman she was occupying the only handicapped dressing room and preventing someone who obviously required from access.  I was proud of her for challenging that ignorant and rude woman.

The conclusion from this encounter is nothing new.  All handicapped people and caregivers know that “normal” people use the handicapped facilities whether it be dressing rooms or bathroom stalls.  And we all know why they do it: to get the extra space. The obvious problem is that “normal” people don’t require handicap facilities while the actual handicap person does.  Will they ever learn?