'I'm entitled': Woman shamed for parking in disability spot
A woman has blasted people for shaming her for parking in disability space despite her suffering from a condition that can make it difficult for her to walk.
Rhiannon Stark, from Melbourne, posted a fiery TikTok video after she was approached by somebody in a car park who told her she didn't look like she had a disability.
However, the 24-year-old suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition where muscle pain and tenderness are common symptoms.
"I am legally disabled, as much as old people would like to square up with me about it, I'm legally disabled," she said in her video.
Holding up her disability parking pass, she added they were "really, really hard to get".
"Basically it entitles me to park in a disabled parking [space], which I will do," she said.
"I'm sorry, do you want me to cut off my legs so that I look disabled enough for you?
"Like, let me get out of the car like bent over limping, just to fit your idea of disabled."
Disabled woman explains she doesn't always use pass
In a follow-up video, Ms Stark added she did not use disability parking spots every time and when she is not suffering from chronic pain she will choose to park elsewhere.
"I understand there are people who are not as lucky as I am in my disability, and need to do it more than I do," she said.
"However ... I was going to an appointment to assist with my pain, and with my condition, and I was finding it a harder day than normal and felt that the distance, walking from another car park, was a bit too much for me – so I chose to exercise my right and use that spot.
"I actually don't do this very often, but I have [the permit] there in case I need it."
Woman shocked by people's opinions on her parking
Ms Stark added she was amazed by how many people had an opinion on where she parked her car.
"Honestly, if I could give up my condition and park in a normal space, I would, believe me. It's really not that exciting."
People shared their support for Ms Stark on TikTok, sharing their own stories of being hassled about whether or not they had a disability.
"It shocks me how many people get discriminated [against] because because they don't fit the disabled stereotype," one said.
"I get it all the time. I have arthritis and am on chemo. I can literally walk into a shop fine and barely make it back and still get abused," another added.
"We shouldn't have to explain why we have those tags," a third commented.
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