I dial the phone.....
"Hi, My name is Michelle O'Neil and I have to bring in two children for blood draws. One of them is on the autism spectrum, and she has lots of anxiety about these things. I'm wondering if I could schedule a time when it's not busy, so that we don't have to wait, because the more time we spend waiting, the more anxious she becomes, and then her brother gets all upset too, etc.."
The person on the other end says,
"No. We don't schedule appointments, it's first come first serve."
"Even for a child with special needs? I'm telling you, she'll be screaming and flailing and it will be a big mess, especially if she has to wait."
"No. Sorry."
"WELL THAT'S RIDICULOUS!" I fume.
Ahem.
Deep breath.
"Let me talk to someone else please."
"Hello?"
"Hi, My name is Michelle O'Neil and I have to bring in two children for blood draws. One of them is on the autism spectrum, and she has lots of anxiety about these things. I'm wondering if I could schedule a time when it is not busy, so that we don't have to wait, because the more time we spend waiting, the more anxious she becomes, etc."
"Absolutely. Tell me when you want to come in. I'll send down someone from pediatrics who is really good with kids. Skip registration, come right back to the lab. No problem."
Her kindness squeezes at my throat.
We woke the kids at 6:30 to apply numbing cream.
At 7:30, three pediatric nurses awaited us. We walked right in, they chitter-chattered to Riley, put headphones on her, clowned and danced to the music, reassured her, told her how brave she was. One or two tears. She took her deep breaths. No screaming, no flailing. Over in two minutes.
Seth's turn next. No tears, unless you count the ones I noted welling up in Todd's eyes.
Special needs parents have so much gratitude for the kindness of strangers.
It was the best blood draw ever.
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16 comments:
It is amazing to me that some people can be such insensitve a-holes when at the same time other people can be compassionate and extend the effort to be kind. It always makes me well up when people are kind to me and my son (and other children with special needs), consequently it makes me want to tear someone a new one when they are not. I probably should work on that, huh?
Good for you, Michelle, to ask to speak with someone else. Look at the huge difference it made for your daughter. Amazing. So glad it went smoothly. There really are wonderful people out there...sometimes it just takes a little extra effort to get to them!
I am telling you, if it weren't for kindness where would we be? And, you asked for what you wanted. Good for you, Michelle. Some people would have just hung up and been upset and prepared for a bad day. I have a phlebotomist I always ask for, "Hello, is Eric in today?" These people are angels in my book. And, also thank God for numbing cream.
Good Stuff!
And extra good stuff for the kind people and for YOU knowing how to handle the first cranky ........
Lo
Yup. The woman at our blood lab gave me her cell phone number. "Call me and I'll make sure I'm in the office." There are assholes in every profession. And angels too. Glad you found an angel.
K
The first person needs to be trained on how to deal with people. Its good to know that your appointment was a success.
Tears here too, not rolling down the face but tears nonetheless. Kindness makes such abig difference. Apparently so does asking to speak with someone else.
Glad you kept pressing until you got a "yes" person on the phone
*happy sigh*
*a few tears over here*
Look at what a good mother you are. People astound me. There are professionals, and there are PROFESSIONALS, you know? Keep on fighting.
And good for Riley.
The way you stand for your daughter amazes me, Michelle. Especially since you didn't have that for yourself as a child.
Not sure where you got it, but lucky for Riley and Seth, you definitely got it.
You can count the tears welling up in my eyes, too.
"I have always relied on the kindness of strangers...."
ain't it the truth? my heart swells every day with gratitude for the every day angels in our lives. as parents, there are so many people that touch our kids' lives, but as parents of kids with special needs the number goes up exponentially.
there are people out there who really care - people who will go that extra mile (and do the silly dance to the music) that our kids so often need - and it's wonderful moms like you who keep pushing until you find those people.
your children are blessed. with you looking out for them, they will always be surrounded by angels.
You can count the tears in my eyes, too. Such a good lesson(s)!!!
I love how you (and those that "get it") operate!
Amen sister! Some people just get it, others don't.
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