I am NOT a Child!

Have you ever felt like you weren’t taken seriously because of your disability? I have been fortunate, as an adult, to not have this happen to me. However, I observed an incident at a wedding reception I attended several years ago, and it still bothers me today.

            There was a young gentleman there who had SB, only he was in a wheelchair. I overheard a conversation he was having with an older woman, possibly in her 60’s. I was impressed that he lived by himself in an apartment and had a girlfriend and seemed to be very independent. At the time, I still lived with my parents, so I admired him for being able to live on his own.

            As their conversation progressed, the lady asked him what he like to do. He replied that he liked to cook.  Then she asked him what dish he like to cook the most. It was something quite involved like lasagna, I can’t remember.  Again, I was impressed.

The thing that bothered me about that conversation was her tone. She spoke to him in a very condescending manner. As if he were a child. I don’t know if it bothered him or not. I just felt bad for him having been talked to that way.

Has anyone else ever been on the receiving end of a conversation like this one, or possibly overheard one? How did it make you feel?