AITA for taking off my leg and making someone look dumb and feel uncomfortable?

A Redditor shared a story about dealing with an angry stranger who accused her of misusing a handicap parking space. After a traumatic car accident that led to losing her leg, the Redditor took a firm stand against judgment by calmly showing her prosthetic leg to the man. Her bold response left him embarrassed but sparked mixed reactions from her group. Read the full story below to see if her actions were justified.

‘ AITA for taking off my leg and making someone look dumb and feel uncomfortable?’

I (21F) was in a very bad car accident about three years ago. A drunk drive ran a stop light, cut off a semi-truck, which then crashed into me, sending me crashing into two different cars and then ultimately into an embankment.

My car was mangled and my leg was crushed, completely destroyed, and it had to be amputated. I also lost a couple fingers (the tip of one and all of another). I’m also left with some gnarly scars that used to bother me but I’m learning to deal with them.

I got a couple different insurance payouts and some pain and suffering money in addition to my medical bills being paid and with my money I purchased a custom-made leg to take the place of the one I lost. When I have pants and shoes on you can hardly tell unless you’re really looking. I still limp but some days I don’t have as pronounced a limp.

Earlier today I went to the store with my boyfriend, my sister, her girlfriend, and our mother. I drove. I had to learn to drive with my left foot but I’m really good at it now. I also bought a new car with my money and had to go through a ton of therapy to get past my PTSD but I’m doing well there now as well.

So, I drove us, and because of my injuries (in addition to my leg I also have chronic hip, neck, and back pain, and some issues with my lungs from the time spent intubated in a medically-induced coma that led to pneumonia) I have a handicap placard for my car. I have trouble walking without getting tired so it really helps to park close to the door.

Today I did so and unknowingly took the space from someone who was circling back around for it. Apparently the man had been looking for a close space and had missed the one I took and went down and around. He was still on the other aisle when I pulled in so I didn’t cut him off or anything and had no way of knowing he wanted the spot.

He parked in the yellow stripe zone and got out and immediately began confronting me about stealing a space from people who actually need it, how I’m just some kid who has no respect for those who are truly sick and suffering. He then ordered me to move.

My group was urging me to just walk way but this has happened before and once the police were even called. I’m sick of people thinking that just because I’m young that I don’t have a legit need for a little extra consideration. I said “Okay”, and went to the car and got in like I was going to drive off.

I was wearing a skirt and leggings so it wasn’t quite obvious at first but when I sat down I took my leg off and showed it to the man, including my stump. I then asked him if it was okay if I still parked there. He walked away calling me disgusting and rude and said I could have just told him and I made him look stupid. My group was embarrassed and said that I made things awkward because there was a crowd. AITA?

Edit: in case anyone was interested: I’m not going to post a photo of my leg because of identification reasons but I’ll describe it. So the base color is ombre whiteish green to pale green and it has cherry blossoms painted on it, though sometimes I wear a silicone cover that resembles an actual foot and leg on days when I don’t want people to stare at me. I even have temporary stickies I can put on the “toes” to make it look like I painted my nails. It’s actually really cool!

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

CrazyBoPeep −  NTA. That guy made himself look stupid. All you did was provide the visual aid.

ManderBlues −  NTA. No, you are a rock star. You are someone not willing to take crap from a bully. You keep being you. The rest of your group could learn about courage from looking in your direction.

[Reddit User] −  NTA. Your group doesn’t have to deal with crap like what you got from this presumptuous person. He deserved every ounce of embarrassment he got.

DiligentChampion5765 −  NTA, it sounds like he needed a lesson in “not ever disability is visible or ANYONE ELSE’ DAMN BUSINESS”. I’m glad he left you alone after and you are definitely not disgusting in the slightest.. Good on you for taking a stand!!

[Reddit User] −  NTA. He showed his a$$, and you showed your stump.. Check. Mate.

UnluckyDreamer1 −  NTA. You didn’t make him look stupid, he made himself look stupid. He thought you were someone he could bully into giving him what he wanted. He expected you to either give up the space or to walk away. He did not expect you to prove to anyone who was watching that he was a j**k.

[Reddit User] −  NTA. I think you answered the call perfectly. And the man wasn’t embarrassed about his behaviour — he was embarrassed *that he got caught* and looked stupid. The exact thing he was trying to do to you.

BrownieZombie1999 −  NTA, I get the frustration of people with disabilities when someone takes one of those spots without needing it, but like you said you have a placard so idk why he would even question it. Just weird for someone to just have the confidence to question someone else’s condition especially when they themselves suffer from one. You’re definitely in the right

Available-Tie-1187 −  NTA. I am a btk amputee Was at pool one day. Lady comes over to me and tells me I need to cover my prosthetic because it was bothering and upsetting her two kids. I said sure. I took off the prosthetic and covered with a towel. Then I waved at them with my stump. I can still hear the kids screaming. Hahahaha.

Mountebanc −  NTA. By embarrassing him you’ve probably saved the next disabled parker he was due to harass.

Do you think the Redditor’s way of confronting prejudice was justified, or should she have handled it differently to avoid discomfort? How would you respond to someone questioning your right to accessibility accommodations? Share your thoughts below!