Marisa Azzopardi pulls into the blue parking bay and, at the push of a button, her car's back door slides open while a mechanical arm ushers her wheelchair onto the roadside.
After she transfers herself from the driver's seat onto her wheelchair she remarks how her treasured independence is sometimes threatened by incon-siderate motorists and the lack of disabled parking spots.
"I know that parking is a nightmare for everyone, but it's not fair that people who can walk without any problems take over the 'disabled' spots. For them walking a few metres is no problem but, for me, it's a huge hassle especially given the state of certain roads and pavements," Ms Azzopardi says.
There have been times when she has been blocked out of her car because people parked too close to hers leaving no space to manoeuvre her wheelchair - despite a sticker on her car door asking motorists to leave some space.
Ms Azzopardi has been driving for 17 years and, like hundreds of other blue badge holders, it frustrates her when people without a badge abuse the system by parking in spots intended for the disabled - or use one when they do not need it.
"Sometimes I give up on going to certain places because there just aren't enough parking bays... Besides, there should be more restrictions on the blue badge," she says.
Aware of this, the National Commission, Persons with Disability (KNPD) has tightened its control over the issuing of blue badges, which had been open to some abuse. They are now given strictly to people with severe mobility problems following a visit to a doctor commissioned by the KNPD.
The commission also embarked on a four-pronged education campaign on the blue badge. The EU-funded campaign asks disabled people to be responsible and obey the regulations. "A blue badge is not a blank cheque to park anywhere and be a nuisance," commission chairman Joe Camilleri said.
Family members and assistants are asked not to abuse the system. He explains that there have been cases were relatives of a disabled person, who is homebound, have used the badge.
"The blue badge is there to be used by disabled people only. After all the badge is part of society's drive to help disabled people become more mobile," he says.
The campaign also calls for police and wardens to monitor abuse and the general public not to park in blue bays.
Amy Zahra, who had her fingers and legs amputated after contracting meningitis three years ago, fully agrees, adding that another problem was the sheer lack of "disabled" parking spots.
"Whenever I go out I plan beforehand to ensure there is a disabled parking place at my destination. It's very frustrating when I go and it's occupied by cars without the blue badge," she says.
Filled with positive energy and determination, the young university student now walks around on prosthetic legs.
She too is a blue badge holder since, although she can walk, she has to do so with her eyes glued to the uneven ground. "It's a bit of a balancing act," she says with a bright smile.
As she stresses the need for more parking bays, she explains that whenever she needs to buy books from a shop near university, she ends up getting a parking ticket.
"I can't carry books and walk for long distances. So I end up double parking. But I have no choice since where are no disabled parking spots," Ms Zahra explains.
She also points to the lack of bays in Paceville and Valletta where some have been removed because of the regeneration of Palace Square. She is also concerned about the Sliema residents' parking scheme and points out that there is only one spot for disabled at the Msida marina where there are several restaurants.
"Perhaps the local councils should have an online map that shows the location of these parking bays," she suggests.