VAN BUREN, Maine — There are people in the world who see obstacles as just that, something that blocks their way.
Then there are people like Percy Madore who has never met an obstacle he couldn’t overcome, one way or another.
Nearly four decades ago the 70-year-old former trucker was unloading logs at an Ashland mill when a 780-pound log fell on top of him, causing permanent spinal cord damage. The Van Buren man has been in a wheelchair ever since.
In the ensuing years Madore has grown familiar with the challenges that come with being a paraplegic, including those with getting from one place to another.
Thanks to his modified, wheelchair accessible van, Madore can drive himself around town, on errands and to and from appointments.
The trouble starts, he says, when he gets to his destination.
“Since my van has a ramp for me to get in and out of it, I actually need two open parking spaces,” he said during a recent interview from home. “A lot of times, when I park in a handicap space, someone parks right next to me.”
When that happens, Madore said, he is unable to get back into his van until the other car’s driver returns.
It’s ironic, he said, that the universal icon for handicap spaces and tags is a line drawing of a wheelchair, despite the fact that many handicapped individuals do not use wheelchairs.
“We like the idea of a special emblem or tag,” Arlene Madore, Percy’s wife said. “It would be of a wheelchair and when people see it, it would mean only wheelchair vans could park there.”
Such spaces do exist — albeit in limited numbers, Madore said. The problem is fellow handicapped drivers who do not respect the wheelchair van space.
“People have all kinds of excuses why they park next to my van and block me out,” Percy Madore said. “They say they are ‘just going to be a minute,’ but more often than not that ‘minute’ is a lot longer because they stop and talk to someone or get stuck in a long line.”
Meanwhile, Madore is left waiting for that driver to return and move their car so he can get back into his own van.
Finally, after being stranded outside his van one day just before Christmas in a Walmart parking lot, Madore had had enough and decided he would need to take matters into his own capable hands.
“I’d tried putting [traffic] cones next to the van so people would not part there,” he said. “But drivers just moved them and parked there anyway.”
Clearly, he needed to take it up a notch.
So Madore came up with a deceptively simple but highly effective solution.
He created a two-piece rod that hooks to the door handle of his van. When fully extended, the seven-foot rod blocks the adjacent parking space, leaving him ample room to re-enter the vehicle.
If there is any doubt on the part of would-be parkers, the bright red pole is emblazoned with the words, “No Parking.”
One of Madore’s biggest fans is Rep. Bernard Ayotte, R-Caswell, who several years ago sponsored legislation to have wheelchair access-only parking marked with special paint and colors.
That bill, Ayotte said, was killed by the appropriations committee, but he added that he hopes to reintroduce it this year.
“Percy is one of my heroes,” Ayotte said. “You ask anyone in Van Buren and they all have tremendous respect for this man [and] they tell you Percy Madore is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.”
So far, Madore said, his extendable rod is working like a charm and he would like to get duplicates into the hands of people facing the same parking challenges.
“These would be simple to duplicate,” he said.
The parking rod is not Madore’s first attempt at modifying existing technology to suit his specific needs.
His off-road Suzuki 4-by-4 truck works with a manual transmission and clutch.
Madore used rods and pipes fastened to the foot pedals to operate the truck by hand.
Likewise, he developed a portable handrail to use when entering and exiting his beloved 1996 Lincoln sedan.
“He’s got a lot of brains,” Germain Madore, Percy’s younger sister said. “He’s always positive and was always really bright.”
Madore’s simple invention, Ayotte said, is something that needs to get out to people who most need it.
“It would really make a great difference and help so many people,” Ayotte said. “See why he is my hero?”
What a great idea!
Thumbs up to Mr. Madore! Too many people abuse handicapped parking areas and there’s never a cop around to ticket people using or blocking the marked spots.
I’m not disagreeing with you about abuse, but a lot of disabilities aren’t easily seen by the casual onlooker either.
My mother had a placard for awhile, because she qualified for it- she was unable to walk more than 200 feet without assistance. She received lots of scathing looks and comments, when she had (and still has, though it’s milder now) a medical condition that made things difficult for her.
If I understand correctly, the problem is that other drivers w/handicap placards use the striped area reserved ONLY for those who are wheel-chair bound. I have a placard, but I never park in a space designated for vans. The problem is that most spaces do not have “Van” added to the sign-are you listening, WalMart?
and even when it says “Van only” someone in their Yugo or Escort parks in the space so they can hang that tag and get in closer to the store without….any assistance at all.
Last I knew the Augusta Wal-Mart had spaces marked for expecting mothers only. WTH? My wife didn’t need a space like that when she was pregnant. Personally if these handicap cards are just given to nearly anyone without a wheelchair, may as well change the symbol.
Maybe the symbol does need to be changed-one symbol for those in wheelchairs and one for the handicapped not wheelchair bound. A couple things to remember: 1.Many handicaps are not visible.
2. The cards are not issued indiscriminately-the person’s doctor has to verify the need for them.
The system works if you make it work. Report abusers. That is how the system works.
Reporting violators does not work, I’ve tried. The police do not respond. I’ve had cops respond by pointing out that there are handicapped spaces in another area that are available.
While I understand about the wheelchair bound but which handicapped person needs the close space more? the parapaligiac with a motorized chair or the CHF/COPD person that can not walk 200 feet to the nearest bench?
Larry-Sorry you had a bad experience. From what research shows me, the actual enforcement is left to local/county law enforcement. Here’s a link-might help to print the info. out and keep it with you to remind the officer of his duty.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/ros/LOM/lom118th/LOM25to65-53.htm Sounds like they want to put the burden of choosing another spot on you, instead of doing their job. Remember, everyone has a boss-I’d let any officer who shows up w/that kind of solution know that I’m going to check his response out w/his chief. If the chief cops an attitude, I’d let him know that you’re going to document his response and pass it on to the town selectmen at their next meeting.
And the Dr.’s don’t give them out easily. I tried to get a temporary one once when I blew out my knee and my Dr wouldn’t give one. People, don’t be lazy- stay out out the handicapped parking!
I am sure your wife is amazing; but I think that offering expectant mothers some parking preference is very considerate.
thank you Walmart in August.
Can you suggest a symbol for heart problems? respiratory problems? severe arthritis?
Here is a problem for consideration, let’s take any non wheel chair problem or condition one has, they go park up at the fire lane, they go block an entrance and park their car or go in a handicap spot, tag or no tag and then they go without any assitance in the store and decide they need one of them motorized carts. If you didn’t need help getting out of your own car, why now? Why does it have to be in a store. I am not saying some people deserve their spaces, but there are people who are pure lazy, pure “I think I got a bad leg and refuse to diet off 275 pounds to make it better as that is what the doc has told me for several years” and theyn they go and get a tag anyways. Handicap over the years is simply overused and abused.
Let’s give the heart conditions a heart space, let’s give the respiratory problems a lung, heck I got repiratory problems and I don’t need a tag, because somebody else is more deserving then I am, maybe I am not selfish like many others are and instantly want to be babied by society because one is pregnant, has an inhaler, mandatory visits every week or month, etc. Handicap should be what it used to be, essentially a physical impairment, now if I go look up handicap this is what I get:
A condition that markedly restricts a person’s ability to function physically, mentally, or socially.
Socially? This is how you get a tag? Ah this is how people get to bring in dogs and cats now while they move around Wal-Mart on their Hovearounds? Remember it used to be the only pets in a store were for the visually imparied and now all you got to do is sit in a wheelchair and be depressed all your life and suddenly every store becomes a kennel? Certain people get babied way too much. Pe3ople who were alergic to pets fought about pets in a store to begin with but now we are just letting them back in because we don’t want to upset the so called “Socially Emotional” person in their hovearound that little Molly shouldn’t be in the store. Not every store is a Petco.
Handicap should be limited, if you can’t walk like this gentlemen, then by all means he deserves a spot.
And people here say I am crazy.
It’s not a matter of being crazy it is a valid point, when I see someone or a symbol that shows a person in a wheel chair, physical impairment, period, but over the years it had to be stretched out further, and further for other conditions, before you know it, if you get the flu, you can get a tag too. If handicap now covers physical, mental and social problems, time to change it by the looks
I an fairly sure that the Handicapped plates and placards are limited to physical handicaps.
Our politicians have increased the definition of handicapped to include emotional and mental issues to make liberals happy. but it did not work.
The spaces for expecting mothers or those with infants are a nice thing done by a business, but they have no legal standing. Congradulations Walmart.
Walmart in Pi has those spaces marked. trouble is handicapped and none handicapped park in the stripped space. PEOPLE those are not parking spots…
The ones who do that are the “me first” types. Maybe we should start calling the local police to complain every time they do it. It is illegal.
Reporting violators does not work, I’ve tried. The police do not respond. I’ve had cops respond by pointing out that there are handicapped spaces in another area that are available.
A couple of years ago my son suggested that photos of vehicles violating handicapped spaces should be photographed and sent to local police, the DMV, and local papers for publication.
He was told that neither local or state authorities could use photographic evidence that was not “official” to prosecute and news outlets would be un likely to publish.
I would think that news outlets would embrace this source of news.
that’s not the point, the point is that the ‘handicapped’ are using spaces specified for wheelchair vans and not the ‘regular’ handicapped spots. by the way, my mom has heart issues and is legally blind, so her handicap does not show either.
Hopefully she always passed their glaring sniff test as she ambled along.
very impressive mr. madore. that is an awesome solution, hats off to you sir..
Some people never let anything get them down and you Mr.Madore are one of them. Hopefully the law makes it this time. Great thinking and a great job!
Or maybe places need to actually add more handicap parking spots. Lisnting wal-mart and shop-n-save
“I’d tried putting [traffic] cones next to the van so people would not part there,” he said. “But drivers just moved them and parked there anyway.”
A fine example of how the BDN achieves those awards they just got done bragging about. Part there? I am not sure how I can part my car, I can park it however.
It’s the weekend, maybe they’ll fix it Monday. We could only hope. I know I’ve said this before but: if the BDN has any copy editors, I guess they don’t work on the weekend. Somewhere, George Orwell is laughing at how so many are slowly destroying English.
i doubt Orwell is laughing. he is lamenting the fact that we failed to heed his advice and are now quickly becoming what he envisioned in 1984
It’s free and on the internet for easy and quick news and interest. I guess we could all go find another free local online paper that doesn’t have a typo. This has everything to do with the webmaster and how it gets transferred live. BDN has issues, sensational headlines needlessly sometimes, but this time it’s just a typo.
Also, Yugo ? That got a chuckle out of me.
Great way to solve a problem Mr. Madore ! You are a true inspiration .
I forgot the unidentifiable cars too, and the rainbow colored cars, the mixed breed cars too. Pretty soon Motor Scooters will park there and bicycles too. Oh wait they got their own parking space, over in the Fire Lane section right up against the store
LOL , my brother in law had a Yugo back in the day. Funny you don’t even see them in junk yards now…it’s like they all just broke down at the same time and disappeared into thin air. What an awful idea those things were. I do think I would like one of those mix breed cars you speak of though, I’m just a mutt at heart anyway.
I remember my father owned one, saw more miles on a tow truck then it did the road, he finally got rid of it to someone he knew that run a junkyard, a few months later he asked about it and the junkyard said to him “I crushed it, it cost too much to ship it back to where it come from”
Last time I saw a Yugo anywhere was about 8 years ago, I almost went off the road when I saw it LOL (no I didn’t really almost go off the road but I took several head turns to see if I was seeing one and it appeared I was)
Good thing the “p” and the “f” aren’t next to each other on the keyboard!
Great one, Bigfoot! Hahahah. Thanks for giving me my laugh of the day.
I will give you comment of the day for that.
I LOVE IT!! Goooooo Mr. Madore…
Those blind old farts who park where they shouldn’t be parking will just run this over.
What about the Young Lazy Farts ,with perfect vision and no moral character, that park in handicap zones and Fire Zones because their to damned lazy to walk a few extra feet?
Well, obviously the problem here is that the stores don’t have the parking spots for the blind drivers marked in braille!
That is a great idea, Mr. Madore. I also have seen plenty of people abuse those spots. Walmart seems to have an excessive amount of them and some should be marked for vans and police do not ticket the offenders enough. I was on crutches with a broken ankle and refused a temp handicapped because someone more worthy of that space should have it. But when I noticed an old neighbor that was quite able to walk fine take one, I reported her.
Simply brilliant. Bravo!!
Maybe the forum is more that maybe people need to think before they park illegally. To park on the access stripes with or without a placard is illegal. I have also been in a wheelchair all my life and it amazes how many people have this problem but nothing is done. I have called the police on more than one occasson but they rarely come. I have done a few things to make others a little more miserable when they come out of a store and I am waiting for them. I am hoping education will spread the word that “There but the Grace of God go I.” Please be considerate of everyone driving and parking not just the disabled.
Just call the cops they will come and can ticket the people that park on the lines ( the lines aren’t parking spaces and I see more hanidcap people parking on the lines than I do non-handicap. Also, some family members abuse the privilege of the handicap plates ( I know of some that have a child or family member that is handicap and they park in handicap spaces when the disabled person that the handicap plate was designated for aren’t with them ). There is
a mom here in Presque Isle that does this all the time, her young daughter is disabled and when I see the mom parking in the handicap spaces her daughter is never with her.
We have a van like this gentleman and we run into the same thing, but, where as my son doesn’t drive I can get in and move the van to another spot to let the ramp out so, he can enter the van, but, I shouldn’t have to do this because someone that is stupid thinks the lines are the spaces for handicap to park in. The lines is the area next to the handicap parking space to allow for unloading and loading a wheelchair user into a van.
Your not being politically incorrect, your just being ignorant.
i am not a big fan of walmart, but they have done more to help handicap people shoppers than anyone else.
and it is still not enough for handicap people:
“(Reuters) – Jul 25, 2012 Wal-Mart Stores Inc has been sued by disability rights advocates who accused the world’s largest retailer of failing to make payment machines accessible to disabled customers who use wheelchairs and scooters.”In what they called the first case of its kind, the plaintiffs accused Wal-Mart of discriminating against disabled customers by mounting “point-of-sale” terminals in many stores at elevated heights that cannot be reached.
http://news.yahoo.com/wal-mart-sued-disabled-over-payment-machine-access-235134245–finance.html
agrees
Great Idea Percy, now only if people would pay attention.
Even though I don’t use my wheel chair, mainly I don’t have a van to transport me. I use crutches and there are many times when I park in a Handicap zone I need space to open the door and to get out, at times other drivers park too close to the line and it’s hard for me to get in or out of my car . what we need is more compassion for us handicap people.
Another problem I find that the stores should have more than one electric buggy for us to shop around the store, most times I have to wait for a ride.
Last year I went shopping in Orono at a large grocery store, I left my crutches at the check out drove the buggy around doing my shopping, well would you believe someone stole my crutches ! the store cameras caught them on video a guy picking them up and walking out the door with them , to this day the Orono Police dept never has found them or the guy that took them . How small can one be?
Well one good thing happened , Penobscot Times put a photo in their paper, to help locate them and a very nice customer of the store replaced them . So really there are some special people out there.
Keep up the good ideas Mr Madore, I like your idea !
Interestingly enough, I noted while at the Bangor Walmart, several of the wheelchair spaces being used by people who clearly were not using a wheelchair, but still sporting the special blue tag. I was thinking that even the ‘handicapped’ misuse the spaces designated for them. Go figure.
Gees, Viper, you got some reading to do. Reread these comments and maybe you’ll understand.
That’s how people become informed about issues and find solutions…by learning about them. Except for having certain medical equipment, my handicap is not obvious. It is progressive and yes, someday, I’ll end up in a wheelchair, but being ambulatory doen’t mean non-handicapped.
And while I have your attention, you and Pitbull have disabilities of your own. Your user names reflect aggressive outlooks that you may want to address.
and when all the handicap spaces are taken? are we still going to tow them from the regular spaces?
I for one applaud disabled folks who willingly park further out, they are saying “my disability is not as bad today, im going to leave those spots for someone who really needs it”
If I can’t take their spots why should they be able to take mine? Handicapped people claim that they just want to be treated like anyone else so they shouldn’t have a problem with not being able to park in non handicapped spots. Except that they really do want special treatment when it comes to parking.
You… you… you ‘da man, Mr. Madore. Make ’em and market ’em to every healthcare business in the state and nation that has to transport handicapped people. Good work.
Hey…with those brand spankin’ new gadgets called “cameras” the city could install them in handicap parking spaces. Just take photos of all vehicles and license plates of vehicles then have a few people to check them through MV registry to see if they have been assigned a special handicap plate. If they have not they get a big fat hefty fine to pay in the mail. The city would be rolling in dough. Yeah…..that’s the ticket….
Pitbull-Like most things, it’s all a matter of perception, isn’t it? I sometimes park in non-handicap places, even though I have a placard. My reason is actually none of your business, but I want to open your eyes. Sometimes, all the handcap spots are taken;I can barely make it into the store from a far distance but if necessary, I’ll park where I have to. While I’m shopping, please don’t expect me to keep checking my spot, so I can move my car to accomodate the non-handicapped-that’s a bit selfish, I’d say. Sometimes I do it even when handicap spaces are available-because I am having a good day and I want to save the spots for those who are not. I care about others and make no apologies for that.
You mention “political correctness.” In my day, it was considered simply “doing the right thing,” “putting others first,” “caring about other people,” etc. It was the way things were. It was the Maine I grew up in and loved. In spite of some negative attitudes, etc. that crop up, I still love it.
Finally, if handicapped people irritate you so much, celebrate your own freedom and enjoy your right to stay home, out of sight. Trust me-until your outlook changes, society will be much improved by your not inflicting more mean-spirited thoughts on it.
Like like like.
Love it!
There are special spots designed just for vans. These spots are wider to allow the door to open and allow a ramp down. If a person even if they have a handicap placard or plate and they park in these spot they are subject to a$200.00 fine. To bad people just take a space because its there and not look to make sure it the appropriate spot for them.
Its too bad that people do this to those that need the spot. There are special handicapped spots that allow for van. If a car even if it has handicap placards or plates and they park in the non designated spot-ie in a van spot they are subject to a $200.00 fine. glad he doesn’t let this get him down.
A problem for sure that most people don’t recognize unless they have to utilize it. How about the people that get handicap placards cause they are just to fat to walk have a different placard. Two fold solution opens up spaces for truly handicap and they get some exercise.
Patent it and make a pile of cash!
There is not always “somewhere else” to go in a rural state like Maine.
I don’t think wheelchairs go too well in deep snow you BIG MAROOON. Someday you will be the handicapped one & be the BIGGEST WHINER of them all.
feet do not go well in deep snow too.
For now, I’d bet they go much better than the person in the wheelchair. Try just being thankful you’re on your feet!
At the school my son goes to despite the schools efforts to correct this problem, people still park in front of the curb cut so there is no way to get to the entrance of the building, park in the slash marks so you can’t get into your vehicle with a wheelchair, park in the handicapped spaces (especially during inclement weather), and park or stop in back of the handicapped spaces so you are unable to leave. The school has put up signs no stopping/parking in front of the curb cut, no stopping wheelchair loading/loading only by the handicapped parking spots and handicapped parking only in the handicapped parking spots. I would think this would have more than gotten the point acrossed no stopping, parking, or blocking the handicapped parking or access to the building but it has not. I guess the only way people will do the right thing is if there is a monetary fine attached to this problem. If it hit’s their wallet then perhaps they might more inclined not to do these offenses. It is such a simple thing and really shouldn’t be a problem, people will continue to misuse these spots and access to buildings until they are held accountable for their actions.
As a disabled veteran I own a placard (and became disabled as a direct result of combat wounds). Some days I need my cane, other days I don’t. Sometimes I park in a handicap spot , some days I don’t. In the state in which I currently reside, I additionally have a licence tag that displays a Purple Heart. I often see people who resemble Olympians emerging from cars with placards legally parked in such spots. Does that give me the right to block access to parking from them? I hold no medical degree, have not assessed them, do not know anything about them other than what I see, and we all know “Looks can be decieving” don’t we? I do agree those confined to a chair should have dedicated parking, not sure if vigilanteism is the correct way to go about it, no matter the cause. If I don’t like law, or how it is implemented, should I engage in actions of my own accord to “enforce” the way I think it should be? Should I be more entitled to a handicap spot because I have become disabled as a result of serving my country, more so than someone who is disabled because they were engaged in a criminal act, or it appears their only disability appears that they are morbidly obese? That is above my paygrade, and I could pontificate ad nausem on the subject. I realize my query will be somewhat unpopular. This is not an affront to Mr. Madore in anyway. I applaud his skills and abilities, and his dedication to overcome a difficult situation, which is much better than sitting at home and becoming a recluse, absorbed in pondering life’s injustices. I am attempting to highlight a point and illustrate differing viewpoints.
Thank You sir for your service & sacrifice to our country
Seems to me it should be a little bigger. I mean, If I was pulling in there on my motorcycle, that could be very dangerous. Same with a vehicle I guess. Great idea, but it needs flags on it or something!
I hope he dosen’t get this idea stolen and capitalized upon ! They say necessity is the mother of invention , good for him !
I was woundering why in Waterville at tractor supply they have at least 6 handycap parking spaces if not more thats over kill
Non handicap people in the united states have been EXCELLENT to handicap people
In most countries in this world, if you are handicap, you get “nothing”.
In most countries, you dont get government checks because you are handicap.
In most countries, they dont have free social and physical programs for handicap people
In most countries, they dont set aside parking spaces for handicap people.
In most countires, they dont design buildings specifically for handicap people
In most countries, they dont have special rules and regulations for handicap people.
how about handicap people say ‘THANK YOU to non handicap people in the usa, just once, for all we do for you. instead of keep looking for things to whine about.
I’m not sure where you came up with the infomation about “most countries” contained in your statements? Perhaps you could elucidate and provide us with a partial such a list of nations?I have also attached a defination of “whine” for your perusal.
i
Whine/(h)wīn/
Noun:A long, high-pitched complaining cry.Verb:Give or make a long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound.Synonyms:noun. whimper – moanverb. whimper – pule – moan – yelp – snivel
sell your oxy,s
Way to go, Percy! Clever!
He really should drive an automatic.
Great idea but there are people out there who will run over the stick by mistake. I go to Canada quite frequently and there are no provisions in that country for the handicapped. No ramps into restaurants. Even the bathrooms don’t have special stalls for the handicapped. I guess handicapped people in Canada stay at home.
Maybe I am the only one confused, here, but if a person can move cones, cant they just move that simple pole with a hook on one end?