For my first post, I thought I’d share a post that I had on my old blog in 2014. This is a topic that affects me almost every day of my life – discrimination based on severity of disability.
This topic came to mind, as I have a small corner in South Pasadena which I love to escape to every so often to do some writing and get a bite to eat. While I really enjoy my time there, I sometimes carry two concerns in the back of my mind. The first one is that the area is a predominantly white, fairly well-to-do area, and the fact that I am Hispanic is not always looked on too kindly. I am fortunate that I do not look Hispanic, so while some people might think I am, they cannot be sure due to my light complexity.
My other concern is how the community will respond to having a more severely disabled person in their establishments. I have heard stories about how restaurant patrons have asked to be moved to another table, away from the sight of a disabled person. Somehow they must think that the disabled person has chosen to not be able to feed themselves or feed themselves in a different way, as I do. They do not realize that, in a blink of an eye, they could become disabled and become the person that they refuse to accept.
Thankfully in my favorite little corner, I have not had any issue. The merchants have been great to me, and for that I am grateful! A colleague of mine loves to say that “our money is just as good as theirs, let us spend it at your store or restaurant”! I always enjoy going into an establishment a second and third time, because most likely they remember me from the last time I was there, and are more comfortable in serving or interacting with me. Some businesses get it from day one, and will try to do whatever they can to accommodate me; those businesses are the ones I am very loyal to!
If I had one wish, it would be for everyone, disabled or not, to be seen and accepted as equal. Our God does not see anyone differently than the other, why do we? The notion that everyone has a disability sometime in their life is so true, whether people choose to believe it or not. I wonder if they would favor being discriminated based on their condition.
Hi, a great post. I hope to see you again, soon. We met at the class in July, and we sat together with my aide, Connie. A few months ago, we had an experience at the Ihob where we were waiting to be seated, but the employees ignored us as they got the other customers seated. I EVEN wrote a message on my communication device, but they didn’t acknowledge me while I was in front of them, so we left.
Hi Kerri!
Of course I remember you, it was fun sitting with you and Connie!
I had a similar incident a few years ago with IHOP, very unacceptable! I’ll contact you, as you need to write a letter of complaint to their headquarters.I certainly did, and I’ll be happy to help you with yours!
Kathleen