A new job... or not

I was very happy to get a job offer recently. It's a great opportunity to work for a well known international company. All sounded great, until I tried to find parking. Unfortunately, the office is in downtown Baltimore in an area with little parking.

When I went to interview there, the closest lot with available parking was not ADA compliant (5 stories high--no elevator and no accessible parking spaces). So, after trudging down 5 flights of stairs and walking 4 blocks to the office for my interview, I was exhausted and in a lot of pain. I didn't really consider this an issue though since the first parking garage said full except for those with monthly passes. Okay, so I just need a monthly pass.

Turns out, there's a 1 year waiting list for that parking garage (ADA compliant garage at that). So, I called HR and asked for their assistance with parking. Of course, I don't have a disabled parking permit right now, so they didn't want to help (I've been talking with my nurse and doctor about it though, and I'm going to get one to improve my quality of life--ie. not avoiding going places because I can't handle the long walk from the parking lot to the building). I assured them that I am in the process of getting the permit, so they acquiesced. They are now saying they cannot help me as the garages are city managed, and their internal parking garage is full.

Fantastic.

I already told my current employer that I would not be accepting a full time offer from them (I've been on a contract-to-hire contract for the past 5 months). I was counting on this position. And now, just because I cannot find accessible parking within my mobility limits, I will have to turn it down, and possibly be unemployed for a few months. Great. I'm thrilled.

On top of that, my husband to me to Morton's Steakhouse in Baltimore yesterday for my birthday. I absolutely love a good Grand Marnier souffle, and Morton's is the only place in town with them. Turns out, the outside entrance is not accessible. I had to hike up a flight of stairs to get inside (I didn't take my cane because I wasn't expecting to do much walking or climbing stairs). The accessible entrance was through the hotel entrance, a decent walk around the building. And then, that entrance brought you in to the back of the restaurant so you had to navigate the tables and aisles to get to the hostess stand. What a nightmare.

Since I started using a cane, I pay a lot more attention to the accessibility of places, and I'm really disappointed with Baltimore.