It began as a rather mundane day; nothing on my schedule; a good time to make a supermarket run since I hadn't picked up any groceries in a couple of weeks.
I folded my new tote bag received as a free gift from a link found on Gather, slipped it into my back pocket and hobbled off to catch the bus. Upon entering the store, I began filling my bag with a few staples; bananas, tomatoes, grapes, hot dogs, potato salad, a couple frozen meals from Stouffers; about all I could carry. This would be the only time I use that bag. The handles were too long and with every step I took; the bag would swing and wrap itself around my left crutch. 
Going was slow, as my balance was being thrown off from the sway of my groceries. I found myself almost tripping a few times.I went up and down the aisles; through produce, dairy and frozen foods; making sure I avoided the barkery department or I knew I'd buy at least one...or a dozen... of those delicious, sugar-filled donuts screaming out my name. I can hear them throughout the store beckoning to me to come eat them. Resistance was not futile. I managed to sidestep other shoppers, steered clear of the bakery and made my way back to the check out lanes at the front of the store.
I found a register with no waiting, hoisted my bag up and began to empty my purchases on the conveyor to be rung up. As I took my final item out of the bag, a grocery cart wheeled into the lane behind me and the girl began ringing me out. I swiped my store card to take advantage of a few things that were on sale and selected cash as my method of payment. While doing this, the man who had come into the line began unloading his cart placing his groceries onto the convey to be next. Then it started. As he leaned forward to reach items at the bottom of his cart, he lerched forward and bumped into one of my crutches. I turned toward him and politely said, "Excuse me" and left it at that.
The check out girl continued to ring up my purchases while he proceeded to empty his cart. It happened again. His cart was pushed forward into one of my crutches. This time, a little more forcefully, I turned again and said "Excuse me" with a bit of disgust in my tone and louder than the first time. He looked up, said nothing and finished placing the items he had selected to buy on the conveyor.
I was told my total and I reached down into my pocket to retrieve the money to pay. I was handed my change and receipt and as the cashier was wishing me a nice day; strike three. The man behind me hit me with his cart yet again. This time, it seemed to bump into me a bit rougher than the first two. He was done placing his items on the counter and it appeared, at least to me, it was done intentionally now. He was obviously in a hurry and had grown impatient because this 'handicapped' person was taking so long slowing him up. I'm sorry I'm not Speedy Gonzalez, but I'm doing the best I can.
Him being in a rush was his downfall. He was moving around his cart to be ahead of it and closer to the register as I turned to the cashier and apologized to her in advance. With him now being next to me, I looked in his direction and just knew my voice was going to be very loud this time in case he was a bit deaf like me and not wearing his hearing aids. I wanted to make sure he, and anyone else nearby, heard what I was about to say. My words would not be pleasant and being quite ticked off; I knew I'd be throwing a few 'bleeps' at him...just the manner in which I speak when I'm mad.
My blood was boiling and my pressure was on the rise. I was about to blow. "Sir, I've said, 'Excuse me', twice now. What the 'Eff' don't you understand about that? I shouldn't be the one pardoning myself when you're the one who keeps ramming me with your 'Eff-ing' cart. You need to start being a little more considerate to other people. You're lucky I'm on crutches or I'd take that wagon and ram it up your 'Eff-ing' azz, you 'Eff-ing' idiot." Then, I lifted one of my crutches...and whacked him right in the shin! I knew it hurt the way he yelled out 'Ouch!' I smiled at the cashier as I turned and huffed out of the store heading to the bus stop to return home. I was steamed, but had a sense of satisfaction in not putting up with being treated the way I was. It felt good!
I'm tired of being looked down upon and having some treat me like I'm nothing; like there's something wrong with me; like I'm 'retarded' and don't matter. I'm missing a leg. I'm not missing a brain. I have intelligence and am quite capable of thinking, thank you. I'm just like anyone else and deserve the same consideration able-bodied people are give. I'm seen as 'disabled', which I'm not! I can do things others can do; maybe a little slower and in a different way; but I can still do them. Hell, I can do more than some people can, even with one of my legs gone.
I'm not asking for, nor do I expect, any kind of special treatment. I don't want pity or sympathy from others. Just treat me like you would anyone else; that's all. I'm sure the jerk in the supermarket didn't single me out because of my missing appendage. He'd probably do the same thing if I was an elderly lady. One would only hope others would react in the same way I did when faced with blatant rudeness, though maybe not as vulgar. (Those old gals sure can swing a mean purse, too!) An accident can be excused. There's no excuse for intentional meanness. Be warned because you may meet your match some day, especially if it's me you run into and unleash on.
I know it's none of you who come to visit my posts that I have to worry about. You're all so kind with your words and actions. It's up to people like us to teach others to be the way we are. Instill in your children to be nice to all those they cross paths with, no matter how different that person they encounter may be. They are still a person. No more being timid when it comes to dealing with others for me. One thing I've learned through this experience is that I will no longer put up with people who look down at me. I will now be more assertive and stand up for myself, even though it's only one leg I'll be standing on. You reap what you sow...fight fire with fire. No more stepping aside to let those with two legs pass. No more standing out of the way so others can get by. When push comes to shove; I will push back. Be prepared for a crude reaction when treating me rudely. I am Rob...hear me roar!
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Comments: 124
I am sorry that this happened to you and continues to happen. Whenever I feel pressured in the grocery check out line, and hearing them sighing loudly, I purposely will decide to pay with a check and take my sweet time about finding the checkbook a pen and writing it out. The more that they huff and puff, the longer I take.
After its all said and done, who is the winner and who is the loser and without one word crude or otherwise having to have been used.
I say more power to you and be careful because there are a lot of nuts out there who wouldn't think twice about hitting you or anyone for that matter.
Love ya!
Good for you! The only thing that might have made me smile a little bigger is if I could have witnessed this in person!
I hope you feel good about your actions because you should!!
For awhile I went through the " I am not different at all, physically, and I tried to live as I used to. No luck. Got a little depressed. But let me tell you, mild mannered Lois here, let someone get tired of waiting for me to do a function, or make a smart remark. They do not deserve the kindness of ignoring them. Even God gets angry. I had a young chippie smart off to me about being "slow" with my movements once. Ok, I am only 5'1", 113l bs (now) since the cancer thing, but I am not going to take it either. I figure I fight, as you do, more battles in a day, than some of these peckerheads do in a lifetime. Good for you!!!!!
And you are right about those on Gather, they do not need these lessons. I hope they too help teach decency and kindness about those of us who are less fortunate. Something is very wrong in a society where ever so many have no grace, or respect, for themselves or others. How freaking intimidating was that guy? Geez!!! Thanks for the article, this refusal to be human is a pet peeve of mine. Or even civil in public. We are way above these types, and that is that. I am sure people without disabilities have met with the same crap. But!!! When it is so obvious that a person is functioning very well with one, and to behave like that, should be cause for neglect. Too bad you did not get to smack him in the face with a big fat tomatoe!!!! So you say you snapped?? I think NOT!! The guy with cart is the one who snapped. He lost his humanity for those moments. Think positive, maybe you taught him a lesson. Keep on Trucking!!!! Ellen B
I love it, I hope any that was around got your message loud and clear. There was no excuse for that mans behavior. I am so proud of you.
btw- did you get my e-mail?
People can be SO rude.... ! The first day I was out - in a wheelchair - after having broken one ankle in three places and badly spraining t'other - I could not BELIEVE the number of people that bumped into me... most of them gave me dirty looks like it was my fault for being there.
One woman bashed right into my poor broked foot - which was extended in front of me... she, at least, apologized. Not that I could have said/done anything if she hadn't... was too busy trying not to pass out
"Oh that's just Rob, finally letting them idiots have it."
Now, do you need me to send you cookies?
i hate being crowded anywhere. im quick to ask someone if they have any intentions on paying for my purchases if they get to close to me in the grocery store checkout.
I think you were correct in your response, while a few people would call that "causing a scene", that's apparently what needed to happen. Maybe he will stop and think next time before being a complete fool.
I didn't read all the comments, so don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but PLEASE be careful when you smack somebody like that. Make sure it will look accidental to any witnesses. I wouldn't want you to be charged with assault and battery!
Take care.
Good for YOU! I am glad that you said something to that person, it was uncalled for and he is a Jerk for even doing it. The first time could be an accident but after that he shouldn't of done it. what a shame!
He definately deserved it!
Now, if you are still mad, have a cookie - and remember we all love you...
I cleared out a few dormant connections.. and voila! I SEE YOU now, everytime you post or comment. (you were sooo invisible before then)
What's the news on the prosthetic? Anytime soon? (just when you get used to the crutches, heh!)
Rob, you're gonna be one muscle bound hunk of a man when all this training is over!
And bravo for steering the cart away from the bakery section!
More people need to be willing to stand up to jerks like that.....as for hearing you roar....I am sure they all did !!
WOOT!!!! =~D Oh, my goodness, that's our Rob, I do love your style!!!! Of course you did the right thing and absolutely should have done just what you did. That's the only type of thing that these folks are going to understand, and just maybe will cause them to think twice from now on. No way you'd be sued anyway (though I'm with you, who cares?) as they were the first to assault you, not once, but 3 times, hitting you with the cart could be considered assault whether you're handicapped or not! I know I pretty much keep to myself and will put up with certain crap but when I have put up with all I can, or worse yet see someone being cruel to someone who can't protect themselves, watch out, my ghetto roots all of a sudden there for all to see. Good on you!!!
Reminds me of the story my friend just told me about her encounter with a rude woman and a shopping cart. Some people!
I hate rude people when i worked at a supermarket i constantly saw rude people like that guy disrespecting customers or moving peoples things.There were times were i would be like wow if that was me i would have knocked him out already i wish i was there to witness you stick up for yourself i would have been applauding:)
Im pretty sure that taught him a lesson he will think twice before disrespecting others!!