Ron Schenone

Do Pregnant Women Need Parking Spaces Just Like The Disabled?

Posted by on Mar 13, 2008 | 13 Comments

The San Jose Mercury News has a story about a new Web site for women that is supposedly for sharing advice on life’s challenges. It’s written by Deborah Perry Piscione, who just happens to be 8 1/2 months pregnant; she wants to know why California doesn’t allow parking spaces for pregnant woman – similar to what disabled parkers enjoy. Her Web site was delayed for a day during the Spitzer ordeal, but is now up and running. According to the news article, the Web site is:

The content is organized around life stages, starting with “kissing frogs” – the woes of dating – moving to career, marriage, children, and finally “finding you.” There also is a section for political advocacy. Piscione once worked in the first Bush White House, and Gable is an active Republican. But Malveaux is a well-known African-American liberal – “so we’re balanced politically,” Piscione said.

One would think that a doctor could issue a temporary disabled parking permit while a woman goes through her pregnancy. :-)

You can read more about what the site here.

You can also go directly to the Web site, located here.

Comments welcome.

  • GOOSE

    Geez Ron,
    I don’t think I could agree with this one. Seems to me that the baby would not be protected too well being behind the wheel in a crash…..If we start giving more placards where does it end?

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Heh Goose,
    Good point.

  • http://www.ubuntuforums.org exneo

    yea if the doctor thinks she needs it.

  • venzket

    It matters some women may have trouble walking longer distances while pregnant, especially if it is hot out. I think it matters what the doctors think and how the mother reacts to carrying a “few” extra pounds.

  • W. Longer

    Pregnancy is not a disability. I see alot of people who have placards who probably should not. If the mom to be is in that bad of condition that walking 25 more yards to the mall entrance will cause damage she should be home on bed rest anyway.

  • nerdgirl

    I have to agree with this one. You try being 8 months pregnant and walking half way across the parking lot in the hot sun….not so fun.

  • GOOSE

    Thank you W. Longer. I agree…pregnancy is not a disability. These parking spaces are for people that did not have a choice. I believe that people should take responsibility for their actions and not depend on the Government to take care of them. If you need your own space then pay for it yourself. Or have the father drop you off in front of the store and pick you up. Like I said in the first comment, you should not be behind the wheel in the first place if you are pregnant…..Thanks Ron for letting me vent….

  • d00msay3r3

    Speaking as a “real” handicapped person in a wheelchair, I’d just like to say these woman should be thankful that although pregnant, that they can actually walk to the door from their car…..
    That’s the real problem is there’s too many people ‘handed’ a handicapped placard that shouldn’t get them in the first place and people just assume that anybody should get one.

  • Joanne

    When my daughter and family lived in England, I went grocery shopping with her. Outside some of the bigger grocery stores(Tesco’s comes to mind), they had one or two spots right outside the front door for “pregnant mothers.” I see it as a help to mom-to-be.

  • PcDad

    I think this is something that should be left up to the store in question. If the store wants to make pregnant parking spots available and issue the tags, great. But they should not be using the handicapped parking spots.

  • Penfold

    In the UK, most large supermarkets also have Parent & Toddler spaces with extra room either side to make getting the little ones in and out easier.

  • Sylvia

    I’m eight months pregnant and appreciate the pregnant permits. Just to be clear, I work out 45-60 mns a day with my trainer and have gained 22lbs. I’m not overweight nor have had a difficult pregnancy. Usually I don’t park in the “pregnant” spaces and I don’t have a special permit. However, on days that my back and leg pain get too bad I do take advantage of the courtesy parking spaces that are provided. I agree that pregnancy is not a disability, but it is very demanding on a woman’s body. Whether some women choose to be lazy and just park in special spaces or get permits for no reason is their problem. I still feel that the ultimate decision should be left to the individual woman and her doctor.

  • Bob Koure

    IMHO anyone who has mobility problems, temporary or not, had ought to be able to use the handicapped spots. Maybe temporary doctor-issued placards – or whatever.
    This is not just basic fairness, but, if you deny this use, so someone with her lag in a cast, say, has to use crutches to get across the parking lot, going past some empty handicapped spots, eventually makes for one more person who decides that handicapped spots are not fair, and you lose that person’s support (and possibly her family/friends).
    Sure you want that?

    PS: I’m one of those folks who parks at the far end of the parking lot (avoiding door dings)