Today has been a very rough day. Half way through my work day my old boss comes into my job. My best friend and I who used to both work with him were on duty. My best friend is now the manager, which was this man's prior job when he was working with us.
He comes in, walks behind my friend and I while we're focused on working on something and he says to my friend "having fun watching the handicap work?"
For those who don't know, I'm disabled. I try to always come at it from a positive light, but it does get me down. Especially right now, I'm very down about what goes on with me.
That comment didn't sit well with me, obviously. But as I'm dealing with a lot of stress, anxiety and depression right now, I just tried to ignore him and focus on my task. But he didn't take to being ignored too well.
He stood behind me while I worked and said "well that's what you are, a handicap!" All I could muster up at that point was a simple I don't appreciate that. I don't refer to my disabilities in the way you're speaking about them right now.
Being the kind of person he is, he then proceeded to out loud list my disabilities, with customers in the store for everyone to hear. Ending that with "see a handicap!"
Accused me of trying to hide it, said I couldn't hide it from him, he worked with me, he's fully aware I'm a handicap!
Mind this man's tone was rude, was demeaning. He was trying to humiliate me. The whole time he was laughing. He's fully aware of the difference between saying someone is disabled between calling someone a handicap. Especially when mocking me and asking if my best friend is having fun in his new management position by watching the "handicap" work.
This is a man I went out of my way to help on countless of occasions. A man who made me do his own management job because he was too lazy to do it himself. He'd rather sit out in his car and nap during his shift.
Yet I still tried to see the good, I helped him whenever he asked. I was always kind, polite and understanding with him. Never strayed him wrong. Yet he comes in and completely humiliates me!
I was so upset, entirely speechless. After he left I went outside and I cried in the back of the building. One, for the cruel words. Two, for the humiliation and three for feeling so stupid for going so far to help this man.
I feel bad enough in the body I am. I struggle enough as it is. To go so far as to do what he did is disgusting! It truly hurt. It broke me down when I've already been feeling broken.
So it's easy to say today has definitely been a hard day.
