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Sonic did not let my daughter park in handicapped spot and she has a hang tag and ID grrrrrrrr

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Posted 7/13/2009 12:05 PM (GMT -8)
My 18 year old daughter has had Lyme for about 10 years. She has a handicapped parking tag because her knees often give out when she walks and she falls suddenly to the ground. Sonic was packed but the handicapped spaces were empty and they would not let her use one. She was the person driving. I can understand seeing a young driver and questioning the handicapped tag. But here in NJ, they issue you an ID from the Motor Vehicle which she has and it matches the info on her license. And the parking lot person still would not let her park in a handicapped space. Grrrrrrrrrrr......
Posted 7/13/2009 12:18 PM (GMT -8)
Oh Boy....I would truck myself right into that Sonic and tell them they violated your rights and you are going to report them.

I would also call/write Sonic HQ and explain what happened as well.

Man that really fries my tail feathers. I see so many people use Handicapped, with NO tag/plate..yet someone has one and they do not allow...GGRRR
Posted 7/13/2009 12:21 PM (GMT -8)
Hi ttlittlestar,

I am sorry your daughter had to go through this. In my opinion, she should file a formal complaint. I would think their action against her is illegal and unreasonable. The business needs to educate their staff properly.
Best wishes to you. bablymers mom
Posted 7/13/2009 12:47 PM (GMT -8)
I see free Sonic products for life coming your way!
Posted 7/13/2009 1:20 PM (GMT -8)

ttlittlestar, this makes me so angry!  It is not their place to decide who needs a handicap tag and who does not.  There are a lot of invisible illnesses. 

I suggest getting on-line and finding out who the CEO of Sonic is.  Then I would write her/him a letter her/him what happened and send it certified return receipt requested.  You do not even need to say why she needs the tag, just that she does.  Whenever I have a problem with a product or service, I go right to the top!  I think the CEO needs to know this.

I am very sorry this happened.   I am also sorry your daughter has been sick for so long.

 


Posted 7/13/2009 2:03 PM (GMT -8)
Grrrrr...this just burns my pa-tooty. Yep, I agree with woodswalker...free Sonic products for life.

And ticker is as right as rain.
Posted 7/13/2009 2:12 PM (GMT -8)
I would have drove there myself and spoke to the manager. Actually, I probably would have yelled at him. Then I would have called the corporate office and told them what happened. There was NO REASON at all for this to happen and it makes me sooooo angry!!!

I'm so sorry your daughter had to deal with someone so ignorant!
Posted 7/13/2009 2:15 PM (GMT -8)
One of my friends would get harrassed by people because he didnt LOOK sick. People would say, "Whats wrong with you"? Or "You look fine". Just amazing. This Sonic situationn is a Human Resources NIGHTMARE!!!!! Turn them in. She was discriminated against. IT is not her job to explain and convince the Sonic worker that she needs to park there. Just amazing.
Posted 7/13/2009 3:46 PM (GMT -8)
We have been in touch with Sonic. I started the call and then had my daughter explain what happened. He has her name and cell number so we will see what happens next. She does not want the guy to lose his job over this. She wants them to understand they cannot do this and feels Sonic needs to educate its employees. There were other people in the car that saw the whole thing.
Posted 7/13/2009 3:52 PM (GMT -8)
Good for you for following up on this! I am one for believing that these kind of situations do not fix themselves. Until we complain about whatever grievance we have, they will not get resolved. Your daughter sounds very sweet to be worried for the man's job. I am sure his job is safe, however, I doubt that he will turn someone with a hangtag away again.
Posted 7/13/2009 4:25 PM (GMT -8)
Good for you! I'm sorry your daughter had such a horrible experience but glad you followed up on it. People in such positions need to realize that not all disabilities are visible.
Posted 7/13/2009 5:04 PM (GMT -8)
I'm so glad you followed up on this. Too many times people just let it go. Your daughter has a very kind heart for not wanting the employee fired. I think I'd be so angry that Id want his head on a stake, LOL.
Posted 7/13/2009 6:23 PM (GMT -8)
Next time, have her call the police as the store was breaking the law. Employees' ignorance is no excuse. Sonic does need to teach their workers, next time they may find a law suit on their hands. Have you been in contact with the corporate? They need to know what going on, cuz if it's happening at one location, it's happening at others.
I'm so sorry that your daughter had to go through this. Having a chronic illness at such young age is hard enough without being hassled about it.

Post Edited (shar4j) : 7/13/2009 8:27:19 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/13/2009 8:01 PM (GMT -8)
i can belive they try to pull this off one someone, as in Tx you know the stores can not do anything to someone for illegly parking in a HCspace, i have had this happen a lot at wal=mart. i have to pull up at the curb and have someone park my car as i cant walk that far. then i call 911 and turn them in.

its so sad people do not think that what they do to us and how it hurts our feelings. maybe you may want to take this to the news chanles in your area to help teach folks to respect handycaped people no matter there age. i think a wake up call is needed on this issue.

i am so sorry your child whent thro this, bless her heart. and pray she is better soon.
Posted 7/13/2009 8:34 PM (GMT -8)
I am happy that people are out there fighting for what is right. This is a strange time in our worlds history when we dont have this type of respect.
Posted 7/13/2009 9:10 PM (GMT -8)
As your daughter's advocate, here are a couple of additional appropriate steps you can take:

Handicap-accessible parking was mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act in the early 1990s. http://www.ada.gov/

If a business or public entity does not comply with guidelines of the ADA, it can be sued in civil court.

If you've been denied handicap-accessible parking anywhere and want to file a complaint, call the Advocacy Center or contact the Department of Justice at 1-800-514-0301.

State DOT (Dept. of Transportation) units work under the Federal ADA guidelines. Your state DOT office can also assist in disabled parking rights enforcement under the law. The local law then falls to the next step under the state regulations.

Obtain a copy of your daughter's parking permit 'rights' and present them as a courtesy to the manager of the establishment for employee training.

A good question to ask the manager if there seems to be confusion as to the law and her permit that was signed by her doctor and approved by her state, would be w/regards to liability and whether the company is prepared to accept that, should something happen if she is denied meritorious parking.

I would keep a copy of this information in the vehicle for your daughter, then, for future use.
Hopefully, it would not be needed again.

Blessings,
Sojourner
Posted 7/14/2009 6:57 AM (GMT -8)
Need more money for Lyme treatment? SUE THEM. That's against the law. I bet you can sue and even sue under emotional distress over the embarrassment. I WOULD SUE, SUE, SUE. You have a leg to stand on and if anything they would settle out of court. Do it!!!!!!
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