Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

A woman using a wheelchair was left shaken after a parking attendant chased her downhill and berated her for parking in a disabled spot—despite her having every legal right to do so. Madeline Delp ( @madelinedelp on TikTok) shared the unsettling experience in a series of videos, sparking outrage and support from viewers.

Delp had parked in a wheelchair-accessible spot near a business complex before heading to a doctor's appointment. However, as she made her way down a hill, a parking attendant aggressively pursued her, accusing her of misusing the spot.


"He told me he was going to get my car towed."

@madelinedelp

"I was trying to tell him about the situation, but he wouldn't let me speak," Delp explained. Instead, he repeatedly interrupted her, saying, "Shame on you."


Screenshot from the TikTok video showing Delp mid-conversationDelp tries to explain her legal right to park in the accessible spot.TikTok | @madelinedelp

She attempted to inform the man that under California law, she was legally allowed to park in any disabled spot, even in a private business lot. However, he refused to listen.

A frustrating ordeal

Delp explained that accessible parking is particularly crucial for her because she needs extra space to lower a ramp before exiting her vehicle. But instead of being met with understanding, she felt intimidated and had to make a difficult decision.

Fearing her car would be towed, she pushed herself back up the hill, got back in her vehicle, and circled the block to find another parking spot at a different business. After her appointment, she returned to the parking lot, determined to explain the situation to the attendant and encourage him to show more kindness in the future.

"I am going to go explain this to him so he can have kindness for people in the future."

@madelinedelp

However, when she tried to talk to him, he refused to engage. Instead, he mockingly recorded her with a smirk on his face.

"I never touched you," the man said, denying that he had said "Shame on you." When she attempted to clarify things, he cut her off and walked away, sarcastically saying, "Thank you very much." He also refused to direct her to his superior.

A shift in attitude—but only after outside intervention

After the frustrating exchange, Delp went inside a store in the complex to report the incident. A staff member assured her that they would contact the property manager. At the same time, another customer—who appeared to be an influential man—overheard her story and decided to step in.

Screenshot from the TikTok videoAfter an intervention, the attendant finally acknowledges his mistake.TikTok | @madelinedelp

When this customer confronted the parking attendant, the man’s attitude changed completely.

"He came up to me, and he was like, 'I am sorry, I didn’t know that this was the law that you could park here, even if you weren’t coming to this business first,'" Delp recounted.

She expressed frustration that he had only listened when a man told him the same thing she had tried to explain earlier. Though he technically apologized, he remained dismissive, leaving Delp to wonder whether she should take further action.

People urge her to report the incident

Many viewers encouraged Delp to report the attendant's behavior, noting that his apology seemed insincere.

"Take it further. He didn't listen until a man told him he was wrong."

@kellydabunny

@shazzergraz agreed, saying, "I would absolutely call the property manager. Acknowledge his apology but also tell them it shouldn’t have gotten to that point."

@breanncookie echoed the sentiment: "Definitely take it further. He didn’t apologize, not really. And honestly, only did it because of some (respectable) suit."

The bigger issue: accessibility and accountability

This incident highlights a common problem disabled individuals face—having to constantly justify their rights in public spaces. Accessible parking spots exist for a reason, and people with disabilities shouldn’t have to fight for their right to use them.

 @madelinedelp I was so shaken up by this encounter today… The hardest thing about living in LA has been the hostility and ignorant actions I’ve received from people who don’t understand what it takes to park as a wheelchair user. #storytime #wheelchair #handicapped #ada #parking ♬ original sound - Madeline Delp 

Encounters like this one show the importance of public education on disability laws and sensitivity training for those in positions of authority. While Delp’s story had some resolution, many others in similar situations aren’t as fortunate.

 @madelinedelp Should I say something to his manager? Or just hope he doesn’t do it again?? #part2 #wheelchairpart2 #storytime #disability ♬ original sound - Madeline Delp 

If you see discrimination happening, speak up. Whether it’s reporting an incident, advocating for better policies, or simply supporting someone in need, every action counts in making public spaces more inclusive for all.

More For You

Man cancels wedding after fiancée refuses to include his daughter
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | TranStudios Photography & Video; Reddit | u/whoevenisthat5

Man cancels wedding after fiancée refuses to include his daughter

A wedding is supposed to be a celebration of love and family, but for one man, it became the breaking point in his relationship. Reddit user u/whoevenisthat5 shared how he was forced to call off his engagement after his fiancée refused to include his 11-year-old daughter in their wedding.

At first, he thought it was just a disagreement over wedding roles—but when he found out her real reason for wanting to leave his daughter out, he realized there was no future for them.

Keep ReadingShow less

Woman kidnapped and trapped—until two teens noticed her silent cry for help

With global challenges on the rise, being vigilant about our surroundings has become crucial. Often, even the most subtle signs can indicate someone in need or serve as an important warning.

Two observant teenagers demonstrated this when they saved a woman’s life a decade ago. Aaron Arias, then 19, and Jamal Harris, then 17, were driving through Dallas, Texas to pick up a friend when they spotted a young woman in the backseat of a nearby car. Harris, from the passenger seat, noticed the woman and thought she was "attractive." To their astonishment, she seemed to be mouthing words at them. According to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, Harris quickly understood that she was asking for help.

Keep ReadingShow less
The receptionist at a hotel.

She is happy to help, if what you ask for is possible.

Entitled hotel guest refuses to accept reality, so employee takes her on a wild ride

It has been said that the customer is always right, but customers always seem determined to be the exception. Front desk workers deal with all kinds of guests, from the polite and understanding to the entitled and irrational. While most complaints are routine, some customers take things to an entirely new level. One hotel receptionist shared a particularly absurd encounter on Reddit’s r/MaliciousCompliance, detailing how a guest insisted she had a reservation for a floor that didn’t even exist—and demanded to be taken there.

A guest insists on a nonexistent reservation

The Reddit user, whose post has since been deleted, explained that they worked at a hotel that used to be a Days Inn. The hotel only had three floors, and reservations were only taken at the front desk—there were no online or third-party bookings. On a busy weekend when the hotel was fully booked, an elevator went out of service, making things even more chaotic for the staff.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton | Alex G | Flickr

Unearthed Eric Clapton interview reveals devastating details that inspired "Tears in Heaven"

British rocker Eric Clapton has had a plethora of hits over his long music career. But one of his most famous songs, "Tears in Heaven", is getting an in-depth look in the musician's new film special, Eric Clapton Unplugged… Over 30 Years Later. (The 90-minute film will be released on Paramount+ on Feb. 12.)

It centers on Clapton's iconic MTV Unplugged set from 1992, where he performed an acoustic version of “Tears in Heaven.” And in a newly resurfaced interview for the special, he dives more into the heartbreaking background story to the song's lyrics that were inspired by his son Conor's death and subsequent grief journey.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man and woman kissing in the kitchen

Welcome to the "Boy and Girl apartment" trend

Unsplash

Women living in beautiful apartments share their secrets to co-habitating with a boyfriend

Blending styles can be difficult. Naturally, when two or more people are brought together, their visions aren’t always going to mesh. Like getting a haircut then realizing, after they spin you around for the big reveal, that your barber actually didn’t “totally get” the inspiration photo you brought in. Or teaming up with some friends for a group project in school who you didn't realize were petrified of public speaking. Or, take One Direction for example. Five solo singers who at didn't get along at all at first, brought together only after Simon Cowell corralled them all into a boy band.


Keep ReadingShow less