A chronically ill teenager shared a despairing note to an “inconsiderate” driver who left her car without permission in a disabled parking space at her building for a week.
A Gold Coast woman who lives with several disabilities said she parked in the basement of the building and had to brave two steep ramps to get to her apartment.
Watch the video above: The moment a thief steals a wallet from a parked car.
Watch the latest news and streaming for free on 7plus >>
The 19-year-old man, who requested anonymity, wrote an impassioned petition after reporting the vehicle to building security, but security took no action against the guest.
She told 7NEWS.com.au that the building, which operates as a hotel and apartments, has four disabled parking spaces that are regularly used by people with permits.
“If I have to park elsewhere, I have to park farther away and I struggle to walk long distances,” she said.
“The lower floors have steep ramps and stairs for cars and no lift. I usually call my boyfriend because when I have to do physical activities I shouldn’t do, the pain gets worse to terrible levels.” and help me.”
Residents said some of the building’s disability permit holders are in wheelchairs.
“It’s not fair for people with disabilities to struggle over their disabilities,” she said.
The memo noted that while they hoped the guests would enjoy their vacation at the hotel, they had occupied a significant parking lot all week without a permit.
“This is making my week very difficult as I rely on these spaces so that I don’t have to park in a park far away,” she wrote, adding a “Friend of the Disabled” sticker. is attached.
“In the future, be more careful about where you park and how it affects others.”
Others immediately jumped to her support online, blaming the hotel staff for not coercing the car to move when the driver should have done better.
eradication of ignorance
In Queensland, drivers can be fined $575 for parking in handicapped areas without a valid permit. However, this does not apply to private parking lots.
The resident claimed to have reported the car to the hotel reception several times, but could not find the driver.
She later said 7NEWS.com.au staff found the owner, parked it there and then asked him to move out on Thursday, the seventh day, but no violations were made.
Shortly after they left, another car, which did not have a disability certificate, swooped in on the spot.
The 19-year-old calls on able-bodied people to understand more about living with a disability.
“You just have to be a decent human being – understand that people apply for permits and they need these places. It’s not fair to take this privilege away from them. They’re already I suffer from many things.”
This includes people with invisible disabilities, she says.
On various occasions, the 19-year-old received notes from members of the community about her car saying it should not be in a handicapped parking lot because it “didn’t look handicapped.”
“Invisible disabilities are very real,” she stressed, adding that her own disability was so severe that she often was unable to study or work.
“Some days it’s worse than someone without a limb because the pain is so immobile, but it’s all internal, so no one sees it.
“Everyone has a disability, even if they don’t look alike.
“Stop guessing and get educated.”
