Cognitive Dissonance Paper
The Misuse of Handicap Parking
In today’s hurried world with the busy schedules it seems that a time limit has been set in order for each person to accomplish a to-do list before heading home as the sun fades for the day. Many times when we are in a hurry to pick up the last item needed to prepare dinner, drop of dry cleaning from last week or grab the medication for a sick child before the pharmacy closes, but there never seems to be a parking spot close enough to the front door that would allow us to enter and exit quickly, they are all full up and nothing is left but those for the disabled. As we drive around and around waiting, hoping for someone to get in their car and give up the space only three from the door we become agitated and perhaps even a little angry at the fact that some get the courtesy of parking so close while we have to park all the way in the back and walk what seems blocks just to enter the front door. The question of ‘why are there so many spots for them, couldn’t they take a few out and give everyone else closer parking?” , “ I don’t feel good today, why can’t I park there?”, “ I don’t ever see anyone use the handicap spots, so why shouldn’t I be allowed to use them when I’m in a hurry?”
For most people these questions are never asked because we in fact know why there are so many, why parking in them even though we may not feel our best is not allowed or even if they are completely empty most of the time why they are reserved and who they are reserved for. Most people use their better judgment and reasoning to ensure that these particular parking spots remain empty just in case a veteran who has suffered an injury in battle while serving their country, the elderly or those who have a debilitating illness or disease are able to access the front door without hassle. Though we may not be there at the time the spaces are needed does not mean they are never used.
Pat Wiesner at one point felt the same as the rest, why are there so many if they are not used, but never allowed himself to use the spaces until the day his wife had knee surgery and thus began his downfall and misuse and abuse of handicap parking.
Mr. Wiesner found himself enjoying his wife’s temporary disability a little too much as he would use the handicap parking placard to skip valet parking at restaurants and became a little perturbed if he did not access to the first handicap space at the doctor’s office and how he cheated by using the empty spaces provided at his office building for his own parking. He let his want of the perfect parking space gain control of his better judgment and abused the privilege that had been temporarily given to him. His need to park in the front door became his obsession without regard to anyone who may need the close access. Mr. Wiesner’s never saw he was doing wrong until the day he had forgot the placard and had to walk from the back of the parking lot to assist his wife. It was on this day that Mr. Wiesner realized his wrongdoing and decided it was time to seek help. In his article he stated, “Two things happened that made me realize that I had gone too far and that I should really get help. The first was when we were on our way to the doctor’s office and I realized, “Oh no! I forgot the card!” I was devastated. I was going to have to drop my wife at the door and hoof it from the boonies myself to get to the doctor’s office(Wiesner,2012).”

Wiesner, P. (2012). Handicapped parking spaces: why shouldn't I be able to use them? ColoradoBiz , 37 (7), 13