Discrimination
Today we will start a new segment called
THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN!
Here we will discuss things that take place in our world that really shouldn’t.
Today's Topic
Descrimination
There are so many different types of disabilities and many can present differently among patients even if they have the same condition. This makes living with and understanding them very difficult. Especially if you have more than one complicated condition.
This does not give people the right to treat others poorly!
I went to get a pedicure from a salon that was about 25 minutes from my home. As my chronic illness fam knows that driving alone can be exhausting. That's a bit further than I usually like to go but I made the trip. I was quite excited about that amazing foot and leg rub that comes along with the pedicure service.
“You know the one AHHHHHH”
I parked my car out front and proceeded to go inside. So far so good, the drive was a success. I was a little tired but knew I had about an hour of rest to look forward to before the drive back.
I walked into a waiting area where a couple of ladies were sitting waiting patiently for their own services. There was an older lady checking out a customer and a younger lady in scrubs who asked my name. I told her and handed her my Groupon.
Everything was going great!
Then the young lady asked me to remove my shoes and put on a pair of booties….
Sexy Right!!!
Unfortunately, this is where things began to go downhill…fast!
I had the audacity to ask if it was possible to put the little covers over my shoes. I proceeded to kindly inform the young lady that I wear Afo’s on both feet and would be more comfortable taking my braces and shoes off at the pedicure station. This way I am safe while the floors are still protected. The young lady stared at me in silence…..
The older woman spoke up rudely, demanding I show her the braces, I slowly lifted my floor-length dress to reveal my Afo’s for her inspection. At this point the other customers are watching and listening to see what is going to happen next……a real popcorn moment right here…..
She said no they had to come off there. I tried to reason with her but she began telling me I HAD to tell her why I wear them. I explained I have drop foot and they help pick the front of my feet up when I walk. Mind you none of this is her business and she is demanding I share my personal information in front of other customers. She asked what was wrong with me to need that.
At this point, I'm feeling embarrassed in front of the other customers so I told her frankly “That's not really any of your concern. Not to mention It's
illegal for you to even ask things like that.”
She began to rant about how she has to know everything about a customer in order to provide the proper care and how they don't work with people with problems as it is an insurance issue and a liability to her company.
I tried to explain that I have had pedicures in the past and this has never been an issue, but she wanted no part of it.
It was clear she was not going to provide the prepaid service I was there to receive so I asked for a refund.
This sent her off again because I was using a Groupon voucher and was going to need to request a refund directly from that company. She was going on and on about how I never paid her anything. Wasted a booking slot.
YADDA…YADDA…YADDA….
What she failed to mention or even consider was how horribly she was treating a paying customer who just happens to have a disability.
The 50-minute round-trip drive was exhausting enough, but to then have to deal with such a volatile individual was just too much. I got in the car and called my husband as the Groupon had been a gift so he was going to have to initiate the refund.
He was livid.
He offered to call the nail salon and argue/give them a piece of his mind. I asked him not to as I was humiliated enough. I just wanted to go home and forget all about it. I agreed that he was welcome to leave them a 1-star review. Because HELLO you don't treat people like that.
Now the owner of this establishment had a bad habit of rudely responding to reviews while also giving customers personal information. This time she outright lied in her response. Saying I told her I could not remove my Afo’s at all and that she requested a doctor's note to perform any services. Neither statement was even close to the truth.
Behavior like this has to stop! This is not my first encounter with people who can't seem to comprehend kindness in the wake of something different. Different doesn't have to be bad.
I truly hope none of you have had to experience this kind of treatment but knowing how our world works you probably have on more than one occasion.
THIS IS WRONG!
YOU DESERVE BETTER!!!
I SEE YOU…..
I HEAR YOU…
And I am so Glad you are here!
Thank you for reading about my ordeal. Please join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/
Together we dazzle
Copyright
©Thecrackedzebra 2023. Unauthorized use and or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided full and clear credit is given to The Cracked Zebra with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Comments
Post a Comment