After countless episodes of anxiety and panic forgetting where I parked, I picked up a few helpful hints to pass along.
First rule: ALWAYS park in the same general area or direction. Some examples: at WalMart, I parked in an isolated parking strip by the garden center. At Costco, I parked near the tire center. At support group, the doctor’s office, the chiropractor, I was almost always able to park in the same spot.
Second, whenever possible, do not cross traffic. I know of too many head injured folks who have been hit by cars, I offer this as a huge safety precaution because we may not have the same awareness as pre-TBI. Ever see someone blatantly walk in front of a moving car totally oblivious? I rest my case. In the event you forget where you parked, you won’t be in that potentially panicked, unaware state crossing traffic and risking yet again another injury.
In the event I could not park in my normal areas, as happened at the grocery store, I would find a spot close so when I walked out the door I would see my vehicle. This one is a little trickier because everyone parks close to the store, office, etc.
Third, on our cars we have the same stickers in the same color, ‘wag more bark less’ which helps identify it as ours. In fact, while at a café one time Richard and I saw a man almost get into our car, we think he saw the sticker first. He had parked his matching vehicle around the corner. Forgetting where we parked happens to just about everyone, for TBIers it’s pretty much a daily thing that costs us precious brain bucks.
Some folks have things on their antenna to help them find their vehicle.
And as much as it’d be a very helpful tool for a TBIer, I don’t know of many who have a nice enough car to have the beeper on their keychain they push that tells them where there vehicle is.
There is nothing more bewildering after the stimuli and stress of shopping than to come out into the parking lot and not be able to find your vehicle!
Do you have similar strategies you’d like to share that have helped you?
The Fight of My Life 
As a TBI person you’re not allowed handicapped parking? I alway park down from the front doors, so at least I know the exact isle to look in….great tips!
Thanks so much for your comment. I’ve not gone the route of getting a handicap tag because I understand it is quite a process, and, there’s a LOT of judgment placed on anyone who gets out of a car with one of those tags and doesn’t ‘appear’ to be disabled. I will keep an open mind, however…
i was just this sec talking with someone about that on my site. just because a person doesn’t look like they have a handicap doesn’t mean they don’t! i blogged about that a while back too. someone could have a heart condition, or cancer and not look ill but it takes every ounce of effort to walk far. wow i wish the judgement would stop!!
I KNOW! We’re not exactly an ‘advanced species’ in that department.
As I age, it may be a necessity to have one of those handicapped cards. I figure by then I’ll be forgetting a hell of a lot more than just where I parked, LOL! 🙂
no we are not at all advanced! it sounds like you’ve found some grate ways that work for you!
ahaha re age!
Funny I’d just listened to the song this morning with the lyrics that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!
We may not be advanced, but we do adapt! 🙂
that’s true! i was thinking this week, that it’s amazing what we can do when we have too!
It truly is remarkable, I agree…and, I’m glad we don’t have foresight to know what is coming down the pike!
I never would have gotten out of bed had I known I’d be in a car wreck and end up disabled! Phewy!
i agree!!
🙂
After walking around the Walmart parking lot at a superstore at night for over 30 minutes, I stop and remember by looking straight down the row at the store and see what door or sign is there.
Scott
That’s excellent, Scott, a very good strategy. Thanks for sharing! 🙂