I WENT TO GROCERY STORE LAST WEEK. I FEEL PRETTY AWFUL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. I ALWAYS RIDE IN CART SO I AM ABLE TO PREVENT MELTDOWN. I AM FINDING GROCERY STORE A NIGHTMARE. IT IS SO NOISY AND SMELLY AND TOO MANY PEOPLE. HOWEVER I CAN AGAIN BE OK IF I'M IN CART. THEN MAN SAID I SHOULD WALK. IN THE HARD TERRIBLE GROCERY STORE. HE IS THINKING I'M LAZY. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT MOM SAID, A RUDE LARK NOT A REGULAR THING. BUT STARES ARE REGULAR. GET STARES TIL AT HOME. I WROTE THIS POEM ABOUT IT, NOW I FEEL BETTER.
A GROCERY STORE TRIP
ABILITY TO IGNORE IS HARD
"HE SHOULD BE WALKING"
I DAMN TIRED OF LOOKS
GET I AM DIFFERENT
I AM NOT HURTING
I AM NOT MEAN
I AM INCREDIBLY SENSITIVE
I AM DOING MY BEST
SORRY THE STORE IS HARD
I SORRY TOO
AFTER I SO BEAT DOWN
BEING SO ASSAULTED BY NOISY PLACE
I AM RELAXED IN CART
I AM BLOCKING THE NOISE
I AM FEELING TOTALLY SAFE
I AM THE STRANGE KID IN THE STORE
I FEEL YOUR EYES ALWAYS
MAYBE FEELING TOO WORRIED ABOUT OTHERS
THINK THE LOOKERS SHOULD SAY "HI, HOW ARE YOU?"
AM A NICE BOY AND NOT STRANGE AT ALL
Fox, I'm so sorry this happened to you. The store is the worst place for these kinds of people. I get rude comments and so does my sister. My disability is obvious (I use a wheelchair) but my sister has disabilities you can't see. Both of us get mean comments. It is hard to get over and let them go. It helps me and my sister to talk about our experiences with others who understand. Do you have friends who are autistic who can relate to your experience? Do they have to ride in carts to get through the terrible grocery store?
ReplyDeleteYour experience is valid, it happens to a lot of us with disabilities. You are not alone. (I also find writing poems helps me deal with strong feelings.) You ARE "a nice boy, and not strange at all." That rude guy needed to mind his own business.
HI TONIA, I LEARN SOME PEOPLE RUDE AND THAT'S HARD. I'M REALLY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT POETRY HELPFUL NOT JUST FOR ME. FROM FOX
DeleteHi Fox!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your story, it reminds me of some of my shopping trips. I have a friend that's blind and she likes to ride in the cart as well. Some people think it's strange that a full grown person is riding in the cart, but, it is easier and she doesn't get as tired.
I would say to you that it's ok to ride in the cart if it helps you. Over the years, I have learned that as long as you are doing what works for you, who cares what other people think. I know the states are no fun, but, remember that you are a really cool person, and you have so much to offer the world! Keep up your blogging, I love to read it!
-Rick