re: 90% of people who use handicapped parking spaces are not handicapped in any way

You're making an assload of assumptions. The SO looks perfectly fine and is young but suffers heart failure - a long walk in the heat can kill, overstress the heart (in itself a real danger that can cause hospitalization) and even damage/destroy the heart to the point where it's transplant or death.

Don't assume that because the wounds are invisible or the person is young that they aren't there. I've seen the mean looks. Suppose they'd rather see someone throw up and die in front of them. Doctors don't hand them out on a whim - they have to state why it's needed on the form that's taken to the DMV or tag reg. place for approval/issuance. Temp ones come in red but the blue ones are reserved for those who need it.

Like I've said, I've seen the mean looks and I've seen the SO decide not to use it to avoid it. Made the SO sick as a dog and did damage to the heart.

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The SO looks perfectly fine and is young but suffers heart failure - a long walk in the heat can kill,

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I mentioned this earlier, sometimes there are disabilities that just aren't obvious. It's why I never say anything to people whom I see who look like they are taking advantage, because maybe they aren't.
Good luck to you SO

I will say though, that there are a lot of people who aren't disabled who are using those to park at entrances and taking away spaces from people who legitimately need those areas to park. It's sad.

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I mentioned this earlier, sometimes there are disabilities that just aren't obvious. It's why I never say anything to people whom I see who look like they are taking advantage, because maybe they aren't.
Good luck to you SO

I will say though, that there are a lot of people who aren't disabled who are using those to park at entrances and taking away spaces from people who legitimately need those areas to park. It's sad.

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It's odd. I mean I myself have developed arthritis due to sports which I could probably get my own tag for. Most of the time it's not an issue but in winter and some other times too, I'll walk around an event or go into a store fine but by the time I come back out I can't walk because mine is in my legs - hips, knees, and ankles. It's weird because I just completely lock up. Like I'm the tin man in desperate need of some oil to walk.

I've avoided my own though as it doesn't happen all the time and is still very random but I know I'm getting to the point where I won't be able to avoid it all the time or wait to run or walk around before it hits and will have to eventually cave and get a tag and yes, it's odd because when it happens it's so random (at least now).

The SO has up days and down days so I appreciate everyone who said a kind word.

And yes, unless you're 16 and don't really know better (using mom or grandma's tag when they're not with you) then you're a POS. Even when the SO has had bad days we avoid the spots designed for those in wheel chairs and take the smaller HC spots designed for those that don't need chair lifts. People who abuse HC tags regularly, especially when there are few spots in a lot or because they just feel entitled to them are pathetic - they are the ones who make it hard on those of us who have invisible issues and I've heard of some with invisible issues being outright harassed!