Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Fed up with people treating people with learning disabilities like shit!

15 replies

SouthMan28 · 23/03/2022 15:47

For example staring, smirking and sniggering at them!

Why do people do this in this day and age? It's absolutely rude!

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 23/03/2022 15:54

Yanbu, it's awful.

Samcro · 23/03/2022 15:55

because they are nasty
used to get very annoyed with the staring dd got. (wheelchair and obs disabled)

andysgirl22 · 23/03/2022 15:56

Nasty bigoted idiots

Hospedia · 23/03/2022 16:22

The way all disabled people are treated is appalling and its not always in direct ways either. I often take my dad out, he's in a wheelchair and the amount of times people address questions at me that are actually for him is ridiculous.

In a shop where DF is the one physically handing over the purchases and presenting his card, cashier looks at me and says: "would he like a receipt?" (I don't know, ask him).

In a cafe where DF is holding the menu, waiter says to me: "And what would he like?" even when DF gave the order himself the waiter then says to me "and would he like tea or coffee?" (I dont know, ask him).

In the garden centre where DF has asked where a certain plant is, the assistant asks me: "which variety is it you're after?" (I don't know, ask him) and then when we sort that out he tells me "just leave him parked there next to the stock cage and I'll take you to that section" (is he the human equivalent of a stock cage now!?)

In the coffee shop getting takeaway drinks, DF has place the order: "does he want a lid?" (I don't know, ask him).

And don't get me started on the people who will cut around his wheelchair or even wheel him out of their way if they need to be in at where he is, apparently wheels mean you can't understand the phrase "excuse me".

I also have two children with non-visible to other people, they're very visible to those who know what they're looking for disabilities so I get the other side of the coin too where I'm realibly informed its all down to parents and a good smack/firm boundaries will sort them out.

D0lphine · 23/03/2022 16:39

Yeah people are fucking pricks to disabled people it fucks me off no end.

People need to get a grip, and we need better representation.

Phlewf · 23/03/2022 16:47

Yeah there’s no just living in society for disabled people. Either speaking to you in a slow loud voice (not the one you’d use for a child though) or making fun or knocking you out the way because clearly you’re not worthy of the pavement space.
People shoving a guide dog out the way are a regular occurrence then behaving like I’m the mad person for call them out on it (not my guide dog but I’m more than happy to call it out). I know the same happens to wheelchair users.

fogglez · 23/03/2022 16:53

I actually didn't realise how common this was until I was in my 20s. It's very sad & I don't really understand it.

AHungryCaterpillar · 23/03/2022 16:54

People do it all the time to my daughter, had some teenage girls laughing at her the other day on the bus

fogglez · 23/03/2022 16:55

@Phlewf yes I've seen people be horrible to guide dogs on the tube or huff & puff. Anyone can have a stroke & lose their sight or be in accident so I don't get it.

thunderonlyhappenswhenits · 23/03/2022 16:56

My sister has learning difficulties which are pretty obvious, she's always had people take the piss out of her, even grown adults they're usually the worst ! My mom used to go mental and make it known people were staring at her to embarrass them.

Ifeellikedancing · 23/03/2022 17:04

DS is autistic with learning difficulties and we get this all the time. His personal assistant was horrified at other people's behaviour the first few times she took him out. It's disgusting.

Phlewf · 23/03/2022 17:05

There’s no excuse for it either. If you’re old enough to be out without an adult you’re old enough to know who’s vulnerable and not. I can’t imagine why anyone thinks it’s ok - maybe they think their victim won’t understand but that hardly makes it ok.

gogohm · 23/03/2022 17:08

@Hospedia

Though we experience the flip side, people (especially over the phone) refusing to deal with dp over dsd's affairs despite the factor he's got full authorisation from the court of protection, even the drs who have copies of the order sometimes refuse - she cannot talk to anyone with meaningful conversation, she has words but she's very limited in understanding eg what would you like for dinner always results in the answer cake!

Squeakywheels · 23/03/2022 18:53

Ds has a learning disability but because we don't spend time in places where there are large numbers of people (because he can't cope with it) we don't tend to experience arsehole behaviour. We don't do public transport, town centres, busy eating places etc so we avoid the most problematic places. He always has 2 adults with him which also makes it less likely for others to say anything. I think it can be adults who are independent enough to go out without support that can have the hardest time.

andysgirl22 · 23/03/2022 19:14

We do need better representation you are so right. I once had a taxi driver try to steal a blind friends money he had given over more than he realised. The driver thought i was completely blind too so wouldn't know. It wad awful. At the time i wasn't completely blind so could see. Different story now buy has always stuck with me as such a horrid thing to do especially as my friend wad a very very good customer of that taxi firm and spend thousands with them. X stay strong people x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page