I am a patient of Dr. Nicole Sundene, located at 16425 E. Palisades Blvd. Suite 105, in Fountain Hills. Dr. Sundene shares the parking lot with commercial businesses such as Crystal Blue, Starbucks and others.

As a handicapped person – aged 70, having had 9 back surgeries – I find it very distressing to get to Dr. Sundene’s office only to find that there are no parking spaces. I realize that for businesses to succeed, customers and patients alike probably have to drive to their locations and park.

I have not checked the statute for the number of handicapped spaces required in a commercial lot, but the only ones available are at the very opposite end of this lot, in front of Starbucks. These three handicapped spaces are always filled and Dr. Sundene’s patients sometimes have to walk from as far as Walgreen’s.

Although I am a Scottsdale resident, a number of my physicians are located in Fountain Hills, as well as other businesses I frequent, generating tax revenue for your town. Surely out of all the spaces in this commercial center it would be possible to put two additional handicapped spaces in front of Dr. Sundene’s office.

On my most recent visit, I mentioned how difficult the parking situation has become. She assured me she has made frequent calls to the town’s management with no satisfaction. I have spoken to other patients as well, and we all agree that having these spaces in front of her office would be most helpful.

I certainly don’t begrudge anyone their Starbucks treat, but I do think the town could make an effort to make life a bit easier for those of us that are handicapped.