Another article I found on my news channels website.
Should pregnant women and new parents be afforded the same parking privileges as those with disabilities? It's an issue that is stirring up controversy in the Commonwealth.
Earlier this week, House Speaker Greg Stumbo filed a bill that would allow pregnant women and parents with children under the age of one year the opportunity to utilize the same parking spaces as those with physical disabilities.
The idea does not sit well with the Baker family of Paris. They have a son with cerebral palsy and they rely on handicapped parking spaces, especially since they need room to operate a wheelchair lift. They say it's already difficult to find available parking spaces. Furthermore, they're not convinced that all pregnant women and new moms are in need of such accommodations.
Karen Baker says she does not have a problem with women who have been labeled as having high-risk pregnancies or those who have limited mobility gaining access to handicapped spaces. However, she does not feel that pregnancy is a true handicap.
"The (parking spaces) were designed for people with disabilities and for the safe entry and exit of their vehicle," she said.
The Baker's say they would be a little more open to the idea if more spots were created to accommodate new moms and moms-to-be. However, at this point, the bill does not include such a measure.
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Comments: 18
Some stores like Babies R Us has stork parking for expectant mothers.
Right now I am 8 months pregnant and while a lot of times I don't mind walking a little further, sometimes it is really hard, if there are no places up close and especially if hubby is not with me and I have my 2 1/2 yr old with me. I don't think there is any reason for someone who is only a few weeks pregnant to need to park in special parking, but I think at a certain point into the pregnancy it would be nice to have that special accomodation, not that I would use it all the time, but there are times it would be really nice to have.
I think if they added an extra space or two to each row of parking that it wouldn't hurt anyone else, and would be quite helpful to a mother to be, or a new mother with a small child, especially if she had other children as well.
I think the idea started with just trying to be nice. It would make more sense to have close parking spaces for people who buy a whole lot :) (just kidding)
Thank you for posting to sparealine.gather.com
Plus why should a long time customer have to park clear in the back to shop..whats that saying to them. You can shop here. But you have to park in the back because you aren't pregnant or disable. No, that's not right at all.