It's not the same thing, man... but you're a patient guy and handled it well. Still, physical vs. mental is very different.
At first I LOL'd when I read your story because I thought you had literally posted 'A-hole ~ "F you" and swoly drives off'... and it would have had some good comedic value.
I had my own bar and waited tables etc so I know what a waiter or bartender goes through in a day. I am the same way. If you give me really good service you are getting minimum 20 percent. You have to really mess up to get 15% out of me.
I've gotten so cynical in my old age. When I first heard this story I thought that the restaurant must be using it to get more customers. Don't get me wrong, I work with kiddos with severe disabilities and this stuff happens all too frequently. The parents are the real "heroes" in this story if there are any.
Not exactly, no... now that I re-read my response. I can see how it can seem like I said that. I guess the situation is not the same, because it isn't completely clear to the people complaining in each situation... like... phyisically, people can't see autism, you know? That's my point of "physical" versus "mental." But you bring an interesting point... I guess if the doctor deems it appropriate enough to give a permit to him, by all means get the space and use it, and don't worry if people think you're abusing... as long as you know you're not.
What's not the same thing? My son has a handicap that could put him in danger in a busy parking lot should he decide to bolt from me or my 5-4 wife. We need him to be as close to the front of the lot as possible.
Just got to this. Look, I couldn't see Autism before my son came along. Matter of fact, for 3 months when we were worried that something might be wrong with him, I didn't even consider that he was Autistic. The OH **** moment came when I was watching Doug Flutie play for the Bills and they panned up to the stands and showed his wife and Doug Jr. Doug Jr started flapping his hands in the air like my son did and my heart sank. It hit me right then and there. Back then, I most likely saw Autistic kids misbehaving or getting coddled and assumed they were normal kids and in my own mind passed judgement on them. The difference between me (and most people) and this guy is that I knew that it was none of my damn business how people interact with their kids. At any point in my life I would never have opened my mouth and offered my unfounded opinion. That's just being a decent human being and having common courtesy.
Props to you for being a good Uncle and telling everyone that you love and understand some of what your nephew goes through. You are 100% correct. Most people don't understand and I don't expect them too. Tell his family, you are not going to change the opinion of an a-hole that voices that type of ignorance. They are just born that way. But...if the family takes the time to explain to open minded rational people what the struggle is for the person and those who care for that person, they are doing a tremendous service to the Autism Community. I can tell you that a certain percentage of the population will see my with my arm around my son and look at us and smile. Who cares about those that think I'm some pervert or something. The percentage of the people who smile grows and grows. Got a good story... Was on a cruise ship in an elevator with my wife, my son and a guy who looked like Johnny Cash and looked like he was a heavy drinker. My son had a brief outburst and JC cut his eyes toward us and looked off. I was worried he was going to say something derogatory. The elevator opened and JC got out. I breathed a sigh of relief because he said nothing. Just before the door closed, JC stuck his hand in. I thought...Here it comes (because it had so many times before) JC says "I have seen you folks all over this ship and that boy couldn't have better parents". That right there wipes out a hundred of those guys in the Home Depot parking lot. And that happened because our family chooses to ignore the assholes and live the life we were given the best way we can.
I did put it on before we even took 1 step away from the truck. Did you miss the part where he said Autism wasn't a handicap?
