BethCPTSD
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2016
- Messages
- 292
So yesterday I went to Downtown Disney (DLR) with my service dog Harrison. We're local. (By the way, since moving back to CA two years ago I have not had any opportunity to get an AP and I'm dying for them to bring them back!)
One of the issues I've dealt with since adolescence is traumatic mutism. There are have been years at a time that I could not speak in certain places or situations. It is not currently that extreme, but at times I still have a lot of difficulty. Anyway, so I created these cute little Vistaprint business cards that answer the two legal ADA questions on the back of it, that a business is allowed to ask you when you approach with a service dog. I also have on there an explanation that due to a disability it is often easier for me to write than speak, so I'm giving them this card.
Anyway, so it's one of those days, and I put my card in my pocket and walk with Harrison up to the security guard I see waiting for us. I make sure I smile and am very friendly. I reach out and hand him the card. Suddenly, the second security guard who is standing nearby starts (hilariously) shouting "She has a card!! Don't LOOK at the card!! Don't look at it!" I'm really taken aback at the panic in his voice and that he's acting like this card is poisonous to read, but I realize he probably has been instructed not to accept registration cards for service animals since those are scams and don't prove whether it's a service animal or not! This is good policy! I don't disagree!
It was really funny though, because just looking at the card won't do any harm, and it's NOT a registration card! It just explains that I can't speak, and answers the two questions they're allowed to ask! So the poor guard that I'm actually talking to, freezes. My voice shakes dramatically and squeaks out to him, "this is not a registration card! I have trouble speaking due to my disability. It answers "the two questions!" It seems like the guy I'm saying this to understands me, but is afraid to tell the guy whose yelling! LOL. So, I motion to the "yelling guard" to come closer to me. I think, maybe he will hear my weak voice and understand if he gets closer. But he starts acting like I'm about to attack him!
By now, this is both causing severe fight or flight in me, and seeming so funny at the same time! He shouts, "I'm calling the supervisor!!!" and looks at me fearfully. So, be aware, me and my very friendly, fluffy goldendoodle service dog are on the other side of a barrier from these guards and I am a pretty small person as it is, and I'm continuing to smile in a welcoming way to them. So then the supervisor makes it over to us and she clearly doesn't get what's going on. But of course, as soon as she read my card and I mumbled a little bit about my disability she waved me in!!
Whew! It was the biggest non-ordeal ever! I hope they use a little more common sense in the future and educate their guards! I hope you enjoyed this little story, it gives me a chuckle every time I think of it! LOL!! Thanks for listening!
One of the issues I've dealt with since adolescence is traumatic mutism. There are have been years at a time that I could not speak in certain places or situations. It is not currently that extreme, but at times I still have a lot of difficulty. Anyway, so I created these cute little Vistaprint business cards that answer the two legal ADA questions on the back of it, that a business is allowed to ask you when you approach with a service dog. I also have on there an explanation that due to a disability it is often easier for me to write than speak, so I'm giving them this card.
Anyway, so it's one of those days, and I put my card in my pocket and walk with Harrison up to the security guard I see waiting for us. I make sure I smile and am very friendly. I reach out and hand him the card. Suddenly, the second security guard who is standing nearby starts (hilariously) shouting "She has a card!! Don't LOOK at the card!! Don't look at it!" I'm really taken aback at the panic in his voice and that he's acting like this card is poisonous to read, but I realize he probably has been instructed not to accept registration cards for service animals since those are scams and don't prove whether it's a service animal or not! This is good policy! I don't disagree!
It was really funny though, because just looking at the card won't do any harm, and it's NOT a registration card! It just explains that I can't speak, and answers the two questions they're allowed to ask! So the poor guard that I'm actually talking to, freezes. My voice shakes dramatically and squeaks out to him, "this is not a registration card! I have trouble speaking due to my disability. It answers "the two questions!" It seems like the guy I'm saying this to understands me, but is afraid to tell the guy whose yelling! LOL. So, I motion to the "yelling guard" to come closer to me. I think, maybe he will hear my weak voice and understand if he gets closer. But he starts acting like I'm about to attack him!
By now, this is both causing severe fight or flight in me, and seeming so funny at the same time! He shouts, "I'm calling the supervisor!!!" and looks at me fearfully. So, be aware, me and my very friendly, fluffy goldendoodle service dog are on the other side of a barrier from these guards and I am a pretty small person as it is, and I'm continuing to smile in a welcoming way to them. So then the supervisor makes it over to us and she clearly doesn't get what's going on. But of course, as soon as she read my card and I mumbled a little bit about my disability she waved me in!!
Whew! It was the biggest non-ordeal ever! I hope they use a little more common sense in the future and educate their guards! I hope you enjoyed this little story, it gives me a chuckle every time I think of it! LOL!! Thanks for listening!