The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

My late Aunt Kay, who was like my second mother and who also happened to be wheelchair bound in the latter portion of her life, was a source of inspiration and a pillar of strength to me throughout my life. In fact it has long been said that she’s where I get my “hard mouth” from.

In her time, she lived up to that old adage “small axe fall big tree”.

Checking in at a “gigantic” 5ft 2in she was always the protector and enforcer for the family.

(Mainly getting my backside out of hot water on one of the many occasions my mouth signed a check my butt couldn’t cash.)

So I feel now it’s my duty and obligation to my dearly departed sweet Auntie, to continue to address and “champion” a certain cause, an issue, that not only affected her while she was alive, but other handicapped persons island wide to this day; the abuse of “handicapped” parking spots by non-handicapped persons.

BLUE MARKS THE SPOT

These spots were created to facilitate handicap persons in their attempt to lead normal, productive lives, not to be abused by the “D” average jungaliss who’s just “flashing in” to top off their phone and grab a bar of “cake soap”.

It’s also not for the wannabe bad boy whose food order is ready.

It’s sad that in 2018 many drivers (both legal and the ones who bought their licenses) don’t regard those blue lined spaces as hallowed ground; as in off limits unless you are truly handicapped.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE

More bizarre than this blatant disregard for common courtesy — and the law — are some of the excuses I’ve heard in my misadventures into parking “La La Land”, where, on occasion, I’ve had to pull a page out of my aunt’s book and “bless” said transgressor:

1. Kelly’s parking lot, Marathon Mall.

I questioned the offender to which she replied, “I just spend a gunk on dese nails for one wedding. You can’t see they match my head?” (They did match the purple, yellow and pink colors in her ghetto fabulous hairdo.) I can’t walk all the way across this big breezy parking lot and mess up my nails.”

It was clear her etiquette matched her fashion sense… non-existent.

1. Super Value, Cable Beach.

This was a weird case, not only did the offender take the handicapped spot right from under the nose of a legitimate handicapped person, she had no conscience about the matter, exiting her vehicle with no remorse as she sauntered to the front door.

When I told her how “cold blooded” she was she simply replied, “Mister, my kids well rude I can’t bring them in here behind me so I has to park dem close so nuttin’ will happen to them.”

The final one is the most atrocious infraction of them all:

1. Sea Grapes Shopping Center, Nassau East.

The offender illegally parks in the handicap parking space in front of the food store only to bypass the food store and bee-line it to the more enticing liquor store.

What left me shocked and awed was the fact that the offender was in his full Royal Bahamas Police Force uniform.

As the youth of today so frequently say… “Savage.”

I’m still scratching my head on that one.

MOVING FORWARD

The only advice I can offer is this; Real handicapped people be strong, keep the faith and know that you still have me as a “champion” for your cause, trained by Auntie Kay, so you know these offenders will be chastised and made humble for their indiscretions.

To the offenders I say this: Your lack of respect, common sense, compassion, rationale and blatant disregard for your fellow man is lousy and pathetic.

By your actions it’s obvious you are handicapped socially – not legally.

And before you ask, being called “crazy” doesn’t get you a handicap parking permit either.

Until next week, let your conscience be your guide, especially out of handicapped parking spaces.