Re: Hidden Disability - I didn't handle it well

[Guest guest]

,

First let me say Happy Birthday !! Secondly, I would write a letter. Her

behavior was totally unacceptable. They will never know they need to train

their employees unless you speak up

[Guest guest]

,

I am sorry you had that experience. I think you should write a letter to

Clinton explaining what happened and maybe this could be a great way to raise

awareness.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

in AR,

Definitely write a letter about your experience. Below is the

contact information off the museum's website. Perhaps also cc the

letter to your Congresspersons too, one to H.R. Clinton herself

also, the Foundation and perhaps the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Let me know if you need help with getting the addresses/contact info.

~ Gretchen

General Correspondence and Inquiries:

Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

1200 President Clinton Avenue

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

General phone number: (501) 374-4242

General facsimile number: (501) 244-2883

E-mail address: clinton.library@...

Education Department (Teacher Resources/Class Visits/Student

Resources)

Mailing Address:

Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

Education Department

1200 President Clinton Avenue

Little Rock, AR 72201

Telephone number: (501) 244-2890

Facsimile number: (501) 244-2883

E-mail address: clinton.education@...

Visitor Group Services (Group tours/reservations)

Telephone number: (501) 748-0419

[Guest guest]

Hello, friends,

said, " My husband thinks I should write a letter to the Clinton

Library and report this person. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do. "

I reply, " I will report. If this is the way she is, she not only

treated you like this, she will also try other people in the same way. For the

well-being of other people and prevent them from suffering from what I have gone

through. I will report. This is social justice. "

I had some similar experience. Please let me share with you how I deal with it.

1) Once I went to the library, I pushed the button on the wall because I carried

too many books and I felt tired. The door is too heavy for me. The button is for

people who can't open the door, such as people who use wheel chair,as the

picture shown on the button. Right after I pushed the button and entered the

heavy door, a man just came in front of me and told me " You are not

allowed to push the button, you are not disabled " .

I replied--- Do you need me to show you how disabled I am right now

in front of the library? Then he closed his mouth and walked away.

2) Once I went to see a movie, I was afraid of walking down the stairs all by

myself because it was dark and many people were also walking on the stair. So I

sat on the chair in the back of the theater. The chair was supposed for disabled

people. I

waited to see whether there might be anyone who needs the chair

more than me, such as someone who can't walk because I at least still can walk.

After I was sure that no one else will need the chair in the back of the

theater. I sat down. A man came to me and said " you can't sit here. This chair

is for disabled person. "

So, I showed him my AFO in both legs and asked him

" Am I disabled enough to be allowed to sit here? How much disabled you

require? "

Then, he closed his mouth and walked away.

3) Once on my way to classrooms, a male student kept on asking me " why do I walk

in a strange way? "

I replied--- Does how I walk be the most important thing in your

life? Tell me why how I walk is so important to your life?

Moreover, to help him, I told him " Life is short. You should spend your time in

thinking about what you want and what is really important for your life. Many

people are incapable of finding their meaning of life. In stead of spending

their time in searching

for what they want in their life, they spend time in thinking about

what happen in other people's life. "

4) Until now, I have not met the rudest people in my life whom I

can't tolerate. However, if I happen to meet a very mean person in the future

who will make me feel very bad, then I do have some ways to respond. For

example, if he or she asks me " why do I walk in such

a strange way " in a very mean tone, then I will ask him " why you are so short? "

" " why you are so tall? " why you are so ugly? "

" why you have two eyes? " in order to reciprocate his good questions.

Please take care

Caroline

[Guest guest]

,

You need to report this to the Library Administration. Let them know how you

feel and maybe somebody will get the system upgraded for people with

disabilities, not just for the elderly. I have to tell of the adventure I went

on in the White House, (yes, the White House). I got VIP treatment due to my

disability, and got to ride in a wheel chair, through the section where nobody

else gets to go. If you ever heard about the White House having 3 different

fires, well, I got to see where one was. It was pretty cool. SO, next time, go

for that wheel chair, no telling where they might wheel you to. LOL. Good Luck

and Take Care.

Debbie from MO

[Guest guest]

Caroline,

Your post caused me to smile and think of the kids I work with. Many of them

have a difficult time learning to read, and yet they are the ones who are the

most critical of others. I am 5'9 " and am very light weight, about 100 lbs. When

I was in elementary school, I was always the one the kids called names and made

to feel like I was less of a person. As far as button to open the door goes, I

have often used to open the door when I have my children with me and the

stroller is too heavy to help keep the door open. Thanks for the site and keep

making me smile.

Nina in CA