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Guy With One Leg Gets Questioned About Parking In A Handicapped Spot, So He Then Confronts The ‘Karen’
Guy With One Leg Gets Questioned About Parking In A Handicapped Spot, So He Then Confronts The ‘Karen’

Guy With One Leg Gets Questioned About Parking In A Handicapped Spot, So He Then Confronts The ‘Karen’

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You’d figure some sort of empathy or even basic politeness would be in order, no matter where you are and who you talk to. Even if you’re in a parking lot where tempers can run high. Unfortunately, some folks aren’t as decent to others as they should be.

Case in point, TikTok user Pnuks whose real name is Paniora Nukunuku, shared a story that has been going viral online. He is disabled, has a fake leg, and has a permit to park in the handicapped spot. He uploaded a riveting three-part video where he vents about a rude woman who didn’t believe that he ought to use the handicapped spot. The story’s emotional. It’s honest. And it’s down below, so scroll down and check the videos out.

Paniora is a social media influencer, vlogger, youth worker, and facilitator who is based in Sydney, Australia. He knows how tough it can be to live without any support (and how much it means once you get it), so he does what he can to lend a helping hand to those in need. He’s been there himself: he was 18 when his family became homeless. In an interview with Bored Panda, Paniora revealed that he had a feeling that his videos would go viral, but what he didn’t expect was the global media coverage. So far, the reactions to the videos have been “overwhelmingly positive” and supportive.

Paniora explained to Bored Panda that the reason why he’s trying to get the video footage of the woman approaching him is to prove to everyone that she didn’t simply ‘ask’ for it. “She harassed and demanded that I disclose my medical condition as well as my permit to her. As if she has any authority to tell any random stranger that. The footage represents the daily abuse young Australian disabled people will endure. And that this footage validates their concern that this is going to be inevitable once they received their mobility permit.” He added that he’s contacted the anti-discrimination board of New South Wales and is currently awaiting a response from them.

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More info: TikTok | Pnuks.com | Facebook | YouTube

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    Paniora Nukunuku, aka Pnuks, uploaded a video trilogy on TikTok about how he confronted a rude woman. Here’s the first part

    @pnuksyou are not the “Disability Police” #pnuks#amputee#disabled @mcdonalds @mcdonaldsau #lakemba♬ Cinematic film – STARWARS

    In an emotional video, Pnuks vented about how this was the very first time he was harassed like this

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    The author of the videos also shared with Bored Panda that he’s a youth worker whose journey started after youth services provided breakfast clubs and mentoring support for him. “I love the opportunities my local youth center provided for me and my friends living in lower social-economical areas. These positive experiences pushed me into becoming a youth worker to help people who grew up like me.”

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    In Paniora’s videos, he raged at the incredibly rude woman and shames her for acting like the ‘disability police.’ He also pointed out the obvious fact that while he’s in his car, you can’t see that he’s got a fake leg. However, even if you can’t see someone’s disability, you shouldn’t question it: accept it as fact and move, the man claims.

    The TikToker decided that he couldn’t just sit idly by and do nothing. He confronted the rude old lady and gave her a stern talking-to in the local McDonald’s. Paniora explained that this has been the first time that someone has directly harassed him like this. This might explain the baffled look on his face and extremely emotional reaction. The second video in the trilogy got over 1.4 million likes.

    You can find the second part of the video right over here. He directly confronts the rude woman at the local McDonald’s

    @pnuksReply to @lisacameron56 can we get the camera footage @mcdonaldsau ? #amputee#pnuks#lakemba#boomer#australia♬ Up – Cardi B

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    While we’re advocates of diplomatically telling people when they’re wrong, we can also see that the TikToker had reached his breaking point and has had enough. He also believes that boomers wrongly think that it’s only old people who can be disabled.

    The woman in question explained to him that she’d allegedly been in numerous situations where she hadn’t been able to park in the handicapped spot and assumed that Paniora was taking advantage of the situation despite having a permit to park there. She might not be quite the villain that the TikToker makes her out to be and might have had too much experience with people having fake disability cards.

    Paniora isn’t letting things lie still, however. He went to the local police station to try and get the footage of the woman berating him, but they wouldn’t release the video because no crime had been committed. Now, the TikToker is asking for all of his followers to approach McDonald’s Australia to try and get their footage.

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    Despite being angry at the woman, the TikToker did not want to reveal her identity and kept his phone camera pointed at his feet so as to not show her face. Whether he will remain to be as courteous if he gets the McDonald’s video footage remains to be seen.

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    And here’s the final part of the TikTok trilogy where Pnuks urges his followers to pressure McDonald’s into releasing the video footage of what happened

    @pnuksReply to @dianademeijer hey @mcdonaldsau let us see the tapes. #amputee#pnuks#justice#disability#maccas#mcdonalds#mcdonalds♬ Make My Day (V2) – Max Farrar

    Some of the reactions to the videos have been mixed. While some people absolutely agree that Paniora was in the right and the woman was in the wrong, others were wondering why exactly he wanted the video camera footage of what happened.

    Back when he was a teenager, Paniera had to live in youth refuge crisis accommodation with his family. He was “blown away” by the quality of the food provided by OzHarvest. Eventually, this led to him becoming a qualified youth worker and he’s “giving back to the Belmore Centre where I received so much support from an early age.”

    Unfortunately, what we saw in the videos isn’t a one-off kind of situation. Stuff like this happens all the time. When you’re done reading this post, have a look through Bored Panda’s previous article about how a woman with no legs got scolded for parking in a disabled spot right here.

    This is how some people have been reacting to the man’s videos on social media

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    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Read more »

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    Read less »
    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    Read less »

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    What do you think ?
    meh
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He should have asked for her driving license since by her logic, "he has the right to demand to see whether she can drive".

    Adriana Coppage
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ok, so I have a story like this that happened with my dad who cannot walk and is in a wheelchair. We were driving to the VA and I had to be with him because he needed help out and this bitch comes over to us and says just as he finished parking in a handicap spot: "Are you disabled? You don't look disabled?" as she ignores the disability card on the windshield she goes on, "only disabled people can use this place for parking." At this moment my dad shut the car off and said "hey can you help me get out of the car" to me. As he opened the door she said, "Ha! You have both legs! you don't have any disability!" Then I got the wheelchair out for him to transition into it. Her eyes were a mix of an apology and disbelief as he rolled away.

    Honu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah. I've had that when the disabled relative I care for is not actually with me. I've either dropped them off or are picking them up. So the person probably went on thinking I was some selfish scofflaw. Not only are there all the people with less visible disabilities, there are those of us who are caring for people with disabilities that use the placard when necessary. The placard is in my car all the time. I only use it when I need that accessible parking because my relative is with me. She may not be with me every second. With Covid, if she has a doctor's appointment, I have to drop her off and wait outside.

    Load More Replies...
    Al Jones
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know how often people who aren't disabled misuse their parking spaces (the cynic in me says often) but one would think that most of them don't have disability cards. I think it's fair to approach those without cards but I think it's best left to authorities to deal with cards that are being misused. In any case, while I also prefer the diplomatic way, it's sometimes hard not to get angry and in this case, I really don't blame him.

    Honu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a disabled placard in my car all the time and could totally be abusing it. I care for a disabled relative in my home. I only use it when I need the parking for them. Now, that may mean I'm dropping off or picking up. So you may see healthy, able bodied, non-elderly me getting in and out of my car just fine with that placard hanging in my window. That still doesn't mean I'm misusing it. You may think it's ok to approach a stranger and accuse them of unethical behavior with absolutely no evidence. I think that's appallingly rude. You are not in any position to enforce the law, so what would your purpose be in doing that? I don't randomly approach other motorists and demand to see their licenses. I don't approach random dog walkers and demand to see check their dog's rabies tag is up to date. I don't randomly ask my neighbors if they'd paid their property taxes. Do all those things affect life in my community? Sure. Do I get to appoint myself community enforcer? No.

    Load More Replies...
    Lauren Caswell
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. I'm so tired of being harassed, approached despite my permit being clearly displayed, and even being told I probably pinched my permit from a grandparent!! It's more than insulting it's invasive, I don't owe these strangers an explanation of my medical history. I have a permit. If they have a problem, take a pic of the permit: it's registered to me. I've even been told to move by someone who had no permit, because "it's an unwritten rule these parks are for the elderly". No. I won't leave the park because I'm young, I have the permit for a reason. It's time people realise the harm they are doing by harassing those who are disabled. If you think they are using a permit that isn't theirs: take a photo, report it. Don't assume you have the right to demand answers from a stranger about their private health >:(

    Honu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even taking the picture and reporting it isn't necessarily fair. I've been stopped by the self-appointed placard police when I'm picking up or dropping off the disabled relative I care for. Yes. I am perfectly able bodied. My relative who is not with me at that second (maybe seeing the doctor, getting their hair done, visiting someone) needed me to park that close. So now I'm supposed to get in trouble because I am there by myself at that moment and the person that took the picture didn't actually see me with the person who's placard it is. Not all disabled people can drive.

    Load More Replies...
    Hooked
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I must admit I do this often. But I check if they have a permit on their dashboard first. If so, I walk away. If not, I tell people (nicely) they are parked in a handicap zone without having a permit for it. Why I do this you ask ? let me tell you why : My little sis has MS and is in a wheelchair, unable to walk anymore. I can't count the times when we had to park at a non-handicap spot because some lazy *$@# parked their car in the most convenient spot in the parking area : the handicap spot. My sister is paying a considerable amount every year for the permit and we need the bigger spot to get her out of the car more easily. And yes, I *am* an "older" person ;-)

    Lucas
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my village there is a woman who sometimes uses the disabled spaces in our small shopping centre when she has no right. Apparently she'll thump anyone who so much as mentions it to her. She's been reported and we can only hope she gets caught in the act. Sadly we sometimes have to be very cautious when tackling someone who is cr*ppy enough to behave like this. I support your actions, just don't want you hurt by some moron. Horrified that you have to pay a considerable amount for a permit. In England a Blue Badge is £10.00 - in Wales it's free.

    Load More Replies...
    OhForSmegSake
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Something a lot of idiots don't realise too, if you're the carer/driver for someone with a disability in Australia and you are picking them up or dropping them off somewhere, you are allowed to parking in the disabled bays as long as you display the acrod card.

    Honu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same here in the US. Doesn't keep the Karens from giving me grief, sadly.

    Load More Replies...
    Gabi
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I couldn't care less if she has had to deal with fake disables many many times. She should mind her own f*****g business or call the police if she thinks there is something fishy, but not playing disability police. Hopefully this was a good lesson for her. As OP says, you see the card, you shut up.

    Salty Old Woman
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    What's interesting about this is that in the US, calling the police on a BIPOC could get them killed. So sometimes they would say "just talk to us. Just ask us. Please don't call the cops". But now it's "don't talk to me. Call the police if you have a problem". I'm not trying to be funny in asking this, but which is it? And no, I'm not a Karen. Just someone who thinks I might have aspergers Because things like this often don't make any sense to me.

    Load More Replies...
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am so tired of people judging others for not looking sick enough. I am disabled because of my diseases but if you look at me I just look a bit tired thats all. I cannot walk the 15mins from the bus stop to my doctor uo and down without two days of a lot of pain. But the government wont give me help to pay for a car or any parking permit.

    Hiker Chick
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had to back my friend's wheelchair van out of parking spaces when other cars park too close for the wheelchair ramp on the side of the van to work. I think they happens to him fairly often. People seem to ignore parking lot markings.

    Erik Ivan
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Headline: Things That Will NOT Happen In Sweden. Most people here would probably die rather then make a scene by questioning somebodys parking permit.

    Load More Comments
    meh
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He should have asked for her driving license since by her logic, "he has the right to demand to see whether she can drive".

    Adriana Coppage
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ok, so I have a story like this that happened with my dad who cannot walk and is in a wheelchair. We were driving to the VA and I had to be with him because he needed help out and this bitch comes over to us and says just as he finished parking in a handicap spot: "Are you disabled? You don't look disabled?" as she ignores the disability card on the windshield she goes on, "only disabled people can use this place for parking." At this moment my dad shut the car off and said "hey can you help me get out of the car" to me. As he opened the door she said, "Ha! You have both legs! you don't have any disability!" Then I got the wheelchair out for him to transition into it. Her eyes were a mix of an apology and disbelief as he rolled away.

    Honu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah. I've had that when the disabled relative I care for is not actually with me. I've either dropped them off or are picking them up. So the person probably went on thinking I was some selfish scofflaw. Not only are there all the people with less visible disabilities, there are those of us who are caring for people with disabilities that use the placard when necessary. The placard is in my car all the time. I only use it when I need that accessible parking because my relative is with me. She may not be with me every second. With Covid, if she has a doctor's appointment, I have to drop her off and wait outside.

    Load More Replies...
    Al Jones
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know how often people who aren't disabled misuse their parking spaces (the cynic in me says often) but one would think that most of them don't have disability cards. I think it's fair to approach those without cards but I think it's best left to authorities to deal with cards that are being misused. In any case, while I also prefer the diplomatic way, it's sometimes hard not to get angry and in this case, I really don't blame him.

    Honu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a disabled placard in my car all the time and could totally be abusing it. I care for a disabled relative in my home. I only use it when I need the parking for them. Now, that may mean I'm dropping off or picking up. So you may see healthy, able bodied, non-elderly me getting in and out of my car just fine with that placard hanging in my window. That still doesn't mean I'm misusing it. You may think it's ok to approach a stranger and accuse them of unethical behavior with absolutely no evidence. I think that's appallingly rude. You are not in any position to enforce the law, so what would your purpose be in doing that? I don't randomly approach other motorists and demand to see their licenses. I don't approach random dog walkers and demand to see check their dog's rabies tag is up to date. I don't randomly ask my neighbors if they'd paid their property taxes. Do all those things affect life in my community? Sure. Do I get to appoint myself community enforcer? No.

    Load More Replies...
    Lauren Caswell
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. I'm so tired of being harassed, approached despite my permit being clearly displayed, and even being told I probably pinched my permit from a grandparent!! It's more than insulting it's invasive, I don't owe these strangers an explanation of my medical history. I have a permit. If they have a problem, take a pic of the permit: it's registered to me. I've even been told to move by someone who had no permit, because "it's an unwritten rule these parks are for the elderly". No. I won't leave the park because I'm young, I have the permit for a reason. It's time people realise the harm they are doing by harassing those who are disabled. If you think they are using a permit that isn't theirs: take a photo, report it. Don't assume you have the right to demand answers from a stranger about their private health >:(

    Honu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even taking the picture and reporting it isn't necessarily fair. I've been stopped by the self-appointed placard police when I'm picking up or dropping off the disabled relative I care for. Yes. I am perfectly able bodied. My relative who is not with me at that second (maybe seeing the doctor, getting their hair done, visiting someone) needed me to park that close. So now I'm supposed to get in trouble because I am there by myself at that moment and the person that took the picture didn't actually see me with the person who's placard it is. Not all disabled people can drive.

    Load More Replies...
    Hooked
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I must admit I do this often. But I check if they have a permit on their dashboard first. If so, I walk away. If not, I tell people (nicely) they are parked in a handicap zone without having a permit for it. Why I do this you ask ? let me tell you why : My little sis has MS and is in a wheelchair, unable to walk anymore. I can't count the times when we had to park at a non-handicap spot because some lazy *$@# parked their car in the most convenient spot in the parking area : the handicap spot. My sister is paying a considerable amount every year for the permit and we need the bigger spot to get her out of the car more easily. And yes, I *am* an "older" person ;-)

    Lucas
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my village there is a woman who sometimes uses the disabled spaces in our small shopping centre when she has no right. Apparently she'll thump anyone who so much as mentions it to her. She's been reported and we can only hope she gets caught in the act. Sadly we sometimes have to be very cautious when tackling someone who is cr*ppy enough to behave like this. I support your actions, just don't want you hurt by some moron. Horrified that you have to pay a considerable amount for a permit. In England a Blue Badge is £10.00 - in Wales it's free.

    Load More Replies...
    OhForSmegSake
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Something a lot of idiots don't realise too, if you're the carer/driver for someone with a disability in Australia and you are picking them up or dropping them off somewhere, you are allowed to parking in the disabled bays as long as you display the acrod card.

    Honu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same here in the US. Doesn't keep the Karens from giving me grief, sadly.

    Load More Replies...
    Gabi
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I couldn't care less if she has had to deal with fake disables many many times. She should mind her own f*****g business or call the police if she thinks there is something fishy, but not playing disability police. Hopefully this was a good lesson for her. As OP says, you see the card, you shut up.

    Salty Old Woman
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    What's interesting about this is that in the US, calling the police on a BIPOC could get them killed. So sometimes they would say "just talk to us. Just ask us. Please don't call the cops". But now it's "don't talk to me. Call the police if you have a problem". I'm not trying to be funny in asking this, but which is it? And no, I'm not a Karen. Just someone who thinks I might have aspergers Because things like this often don't make any sense to me.

    Load More Replies...
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am so tired of people judging others for not looking sick enough. I am disabled because of my diseases but if you look at me I just look a bit tired thats all. I cannot walk the 15mins from the bus stop to my doctor uo and down without two days of a lot of pain. But the government wont give me help to pay for a car or any parking permit.

    Hiker Chick
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had to back my friend's wheelchair van out of parking spaces when other cars park too close for the wheelchair ramp on the side of the van to work. I think they happens to him fairly often. People seem to ignore parking lot markings.

    Erik Ivan
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Headline: Things That Will NOT Happen In Sweden. Most people here would probably die rather then make a scene by questioning somebodys parking permit.

    Load More Comments
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