Armless man fights to have parking ticket waived

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Mon, 09 Nov 2009 7:02p.m.

Barry de Geest

Barry de Geest

Barry de Geest doesn't like to make a scene, but something has happened to get him really fired up - he got a parking ticket for $45, though he has no arms.

His mother was prescribed thalidomide when she was pregnant, and Mr de Geest is living proof of the damage the drug did. Small things like buying a parking ticket are a big deal for him, so when he wrote to Wilson Parking explaining his situation he was appalled by the response he got.

Every time he drives, in the back of his mind he's wondering where he can park - and that's where his troubles with Wilson began.
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Comments

11 Nov 2009 07:04p.m.

Barry de Geest wrote:

Thank you for all your comments. Its great to see we live in a country where we have free speach. As stated in the story it wasn't getting the ticket it was the treatment after. I am a man that loves life and living in New Zealand I am very proud of being able to live independantly and yes a little help sometimes. I have been very lucky to have met lots of people willing to help. Supermarkets, Banks, as Andrew stated, and petrol stations show their support to make it possible for me to enjoy life to the full. Angela dont worry laughter can be great medicine. When Andrew met me I was walking now I use a wheelchair (due to age) like happens to us all. To those that show a little compassion I want to thank you very much you make my life wounderful. I have had the privilage to travel the world even England and been trated well. Barry

10 Nov 2009 05:53p.m.

Angela wrote:

Heard Barry's story on the radio this morning,at 0745 hours and was disgusted by the mindless jokes of the radio commentators about how could Barry drive without arms. The joking about armless people went on for a couple of minutes with all of them giggling hysterically. You know who you are. Shame on you. As for Barry, good on you for taking on Wilson's Parking.

10 Nov 2009 03:18p.m.

angels423 wrote:

barry ill pay your ticket mate,please give my email addy to this guy,and i know 4 other people who want to pay it as well,gees wilson parking how low can you go

10 Nov 2009 01:54p.m.

Andrew wrote:

What lovely kind people,those other commentators are.Barry deserves better.He didnt ask for no arms.It was society that allowed thalidomide to happen,and as members of society its up to all of us to ensure that victims( Sorry,I know that Barry wouldnt see himself like that)have a normal as possible life.Wilson parking should have made more effort.We are too ready to excuse corporates from behaving decently. As someone who has been lucky enough to have met Barry,I have been touched and inspired by this larger than life unforgettable person.I met him maybe 18 years ago.He would come into our bank in Petone,in the days before ATM machines were common,everybody would come to a bank to cash checks.Of course Barry with no arms couldnt reach his checkbook.So you would have to go round to get it out of his back pocket.Then he would sign holding the pen in his mouth.I remember how he was always wearing shirtsleeves no matter the weather.I asked him why,of course He replied that his body still generated the same amount of heat as a normal person,but with no arms and small legs it had less space to go to.Im sure many people that have met would have stories like that. Why should we let faceless corporates away with breaching the unlegislated rules of common human decency. Congratulations to TV3 and the Campbell Live show for holding them accountable and helping Barry

10 Nov 2009 10:03a.m.

Robbie wrote:

I think barry needs to calm down abit. Calling a company Nazi's then saying you want to run them over with your wheelchair is ridiculous, petty and out of order. You mad no attempt to call Wilson car parking to let them know you were arriving, you just assumed it was your divine right to park for free. Your condition is tragic, but it does not make you above the rules. Do you walk off from a burger shop without paying for a burger because they havent made allowances to have a counter low enough for you? Well, its exactly the same thing. Next time, ask someone for some help or call ahead to let them know your coming. Dont just disobey the rules and assume you can get away with it.
This story wasnt even newsworthy.

10 Nov 2009 08:51a.m.

joey wrote:

good on you for carrying on with great courage barry, but in retrospect how can any company plan for a armless driver, its almost an oxymoron, i do not think bad of wilson parking on this occassion, how were they to know? they probably get hundreds of crack pot excuses for tickets that when a true excuse was given they probably did not realise, and besides if i was working for them and some one sent me a letter saying please waive my fee I have no arms, i would automatically assume that they had a carer driving the car for them who could have purchased a ticket so theres always 2 sides to a story, barry if your capable of driving then your capable of obeying the rules, call places in advance and seek how things can be done with your disability.

10 Nov 2009 07:04a.m.

Janet wrote:

I completely agree with G. Meyer. If I parked in a disabled parking space, I would be fined (in England.) Mr de Geest should not have parked in a paying space if he didn't intend to pay. What happens when he goes to the supermarket for his shopping? If he can't reach the counter, does he not pay? There should be a system in place for people who aren't as able as others but that system should not be abused ..... and yes, I did watch the video.

10 Nov 2009 05:57a.m.

G. Meyer wrote:

Had this happened in the UK,where I live, he most certainly would have to pay this fine.
Barry, I comment You, for having the courage to drive,but the Law is the Law, pay the fine and learn from it

09 Nov 2009 10:28p.m.

Bob wrote:

I don't think anyone who has commented so far actually watched the video.

09 Nov 2009 09:48p.m.

Shirley wrote:

I agree with Mary, get a special parking priveledge, or ask some1 to put the money in for him. I commend John's offer, and it goes to show that there are still good people in this world, and I admire Barry for getting a drivers license, but he must obey the rules like we have to.