Howard Helps Woman Finally Get Handicapped Parking Spot She Applied For 4 Years Ago!

Handicapped parking is supposed to give the handicapped and elderly a helping hand. But what do you do when your handicap is ignored?

Alberta Gross has lived in Tracey Towers government-subsidized housing in the Bronx for more than 30 years. In 2005, Alberta received her disabled parking permit and contacted the building management office to arrange for a suitable parking spot.

Alberta suffers from several conditions that hinder her ability to walk from her current parking spot to her apartment. A bad back and foot severely inhibits her ability to walk quickly and steadily.

"Some days are worse than others," says Alberta. "And I have a very hard time when it comes to doing my shopping. When I do my shopping with my Godson, who helps me, its easier. I have to park the car in front of the building, get out, take the groceries upstairs or leave it in the lobby, get back and re-park it."

Between doctor appointments and physical therapy sessions, Alberta is in and out of her car several days a week, despite her difficulties. On two separate occasions, she has fallen during the 20 minutes it takes for her to walk from her car to her building.

"The last time I fell, it was Christmas Eve in the garage on some ice... on a dark spot."

Alberta's Godson, Richard, tells us that though there are empty parking spaces that appear to be unassigned, Alberta has never been treated as a priority.

"She's handicapped, she's elderly, and the building where she lives at... there's so many empty handicapped spots. Why they're empty is because the people that are parking there aren't handicapped."

Though the building manager claimed he would help her, Alberta failed to see any action over the past four years. Alberta and Richard even tried contacting elected officials, hoping their voices might be heard. And yet, even official requests submitted by government officials have gone unnoticed. Finally, after years of struggling, she called "Help Me Howard."

Howard and Alberta marched down to the management office, where they spoke with a representative. Afterward, we repeatedly placed calls to the building manager, who we're told assigns the resident parking spaces. Though we were never able to talk to the building manager at length regarding Alberta's situation, we were still able to get our message through.

Alberta has since been reassigned a handicapped parking space that is much closer to her building.

If you would like more information on how to apply for a handicapped parking permit in New York State, visit http://www.nysdmv.com/forms/mv6641-mv6643.pdf.