This past week-end was C’s dance competition and it was indescribable to watch. But there was a sad part to the first day of it. We brought N. Now I am fully thrilled that we brought N. I love both my boys and after going through the rough and rocky times that I did with C as a single mom I get that it’ll take time to help N get to where he can handle things like big dance competitions with lights and random people, loud music and noises and I’m sure a plethora of other sensory input that I am not cognitively aware of that N and C are. It wasn’t even N’s meltdowns that painted a bit of grey on our otherwise bright day. As I said, I get that it’s hard for him, and all I feel when he’s having a meltdown is first sorrow for him that he’s upset, followed quickly by determination to do my utmost to help him to deal with the sensory overload. It was the reaction that he received from one of the people working there that marred our moment. Now we didn’t keep N in the auditorium during his meltdowns, we’d bring him out to the foyer any time he started to get upset so that the dancers on stage and the judges were not distracted. Out in the foyer right after I went outside with N with my husband my mother was standing inside when this woman that worked there loudly proclaimed “Oh good, I don’t have to listen to that anymore!” My mother explained that that child was her grandson and that he was overwhelmed by everything due to sensory issues because he’s Autistic. The woman’s response “So what! I don’t care, I don’t want to have to listen to that all day!”
Awesome customer service! Now I was very upset when my mom told me and after much “discussing” with her she finally told me who had said it. Now I know myself and I know that if my mother has already received the reaction of “so what” than me directly discussing it with her would have only lead to me getting really loud and nasty. It’s true, I’ve got a temper, but I’m aware of it. SO because C still had an awards ceremony that day and I didn’t want to be banned from the place for it I went to the manager.
After I explained what happened, a horrified manager apologized profusely. He was sincere in his upset and promised to deal with the employee accordingly. About an hour later he came up to me again and apologized again, explaining that she would definitely be dealt with, and that their performance centre did not tolerate their employees to behave in such a terrible manner. Today while most of the staff was the same, that woman was nowhere to be found 😀 Plus we go back to the same centre for a different competition in just over a month, I expect said women to either be much less judgmental and rude or simply not there. I shall let you know dear readers which one happens.
Behind starburst eyes 
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I commented on your social skills post first but this employee perfectly proves my point….we need to teach everyone social skills. I’m sorry someone said this about your son. I hope they’re fired, if I can be blunt. That’s horrifying and I think a tad discriminatory.
[…] mean it doesn’t happen, and as we saw at Mr.C’s break dancing competition not all employees are kind or understanding about special needs. I really do see this as a way they are trying to give back to their community, and to help […]
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