Firstly, I want to ask for forgiveness if I'm inadvertently insensitive here. I really, really don't mean any offence.
I know there have been a lot of threads on disablist behaviour and attitudes on here, particularly in the last few months (IMO).
The last time I posted on one, I upset people. I genuinely didn't mean to. I have a dn whom I love dearly who has, among other things, autism and LD.
I didn't mean to make it seem that, because I have peripheral experience, that I knew what I was talking about, though I do think, in hindsight, I came across that way.
I'll admit that sometimes I read threads that seem innocuous to me and posters will come on to say it's disablist and I've rolled my eyes and thought "here we go again." I fully admit to that, though I've never posted anything like that.
Well, I'm just here to say I'm sorry.
The more threads I read, the more I realise how bloody hard it is for people to see casual disablism all around them and have to fight just to not be insulted or discriminated against, or have their children suffer that same fate.
I saw something in a coffee shop this morning that literally had me in tears.
There's a special needs school near this coffee shop and the students often come in with their carers for a cuppa and a chat.
Today, one of the students was laughing and (forgive me if this is offensive) sort of shouting and squealing. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself.
Some fucker complained loudly to the staff that he couldn't concentrate because of (and I'm not joking) "that lot" and pointed to the table where the students and carers sat.
I'm happy to report that the staff firmly told him if he didn't like it, he could leave. But my heart sank. And it got me thinking.
If I've been a part of that sort of isolation, even just on here, even just by my attitudes or misconceptions, then I'm truly sorry.
I felt sick to my stomach watching that horrible man and how he humiliated that girl and the people she was with.
I went over, and I hope I wasn't patronising, but I just said that he was an arsehole and that I hoped everyone was ok. I didn't want to sit and say nothing.
Anyway, I'm rambling.
PLEASE do not turn this into a bashing thread.
And please don't think I'm being goady.
But I'm genuinely upset at the thought of what people have to deal with and I just want to say, I will make every effort to be more sensitive. And I truly hope that people like that man disappear off the face of the planet.
to all you wonderful people who have to deal with this bullshit every day. I hope I never add to it.