Before I tell this story, I first want everyone to know that I am not making fun of anyone.
As most of you know I'm one of the Administrators for the Traveling Scarves group on Ravelry, so every couple of weeks or so I'm at the post office mailing off my next package. On Tuesday, 2/17/09, (the post office was closed for President's Day) so when I walked into the building I quickly saw the line off 20 people or so. I took my place in line to wait and said hello to the gentleman standing in front of me. The line moved just a smidgen and the door opened as another customer entered, I turned to smile and saw a older woman approximately 60ish with a man who was probably in his mid 20's carrying a blankie and was extremely mentally retarded. I smiled and said "Hi" and the man began parroting me. He said "hi" to everyone in the post office. The woman said "Hold Grandma's hand." which he repeated many many times in his grandma's voice. She said that he was a victim of child abuse when he was two years old and that's where his mind stayed. I didn't have a problem at all until he walked up to me and said "Hi, Good Lookin and squeezed my boob. (it was just one squeeze but multiple squeezes) I gently removed his hand and looked to Grandma for some guidance or help in what to do in that situation. She said, "BJ leave that woman alone." then he repeated that several times. At this point I was afraid to make I contact because I didn't want to encourage the fondling episode ago. He then let out a loud cry and then in a high pitched voice said "he's baulin'." Then he did it again and in the same voice said "he's pitchin' a fit." It was like listening to a parrot mimick the family he lives with. The line started moving again and he got loose from Grandma and grabbed my boob again. By this point I'm really feeling scared and uncomfortable. The line moved again and suddenly my head jerks back like whiplash and grandma said "BJ don't pull her hair." I completely understand how a two year old behaves because my grandson pulls hair, has hit, etc. But he's only 25 lbs and 30" tall and a little bit easier to control. BJ then began flipping his blankie at me and then I heard the postal clerk call next. All I could think was thank God there was some distance between me and the 6' 200lb BJ.
All I can say is Grandma is one angel and what happened to BJ's abuser? Did they get a short sentence or a slap on the wrist? Poor BJ is stuck as a 2 year old for the rest of his life and Grandma will never have a peaceful life. I can't imagine what strength you would need to be a fulltime caregiver for an adult 2 year old.
So I just want all my TSG friends to realize that I'm willing to be molested in the post office line while trying to get my scarves mailed out.
New Window Block 3
7 years ago
3 comments:
Wow, you're a much better person than I. I would have left the post office and come back later after the boob grabbing. My heart goes out to all involved... That grandmother must be one strong woman.
Are you kidding me!
Listen I've taught special needs peoples for 36 years and I will tell you that I would not have put up with that. If grandma doesn't know how to train him then he should be placed somewhere where people will!
I don't want to hear, "but he has problems" He can and must learn to live in the world like a human not an animal! Even if he were 2 years old you would not allow him to act that way!
I have always taught my student that they much behavior better than others because they are being judged. Don't give people a reason to put you down.
What will happen to this person when Grandma is dead! That is what she should be thinking.
Sorry for the long comment this is just one of my petpeeves.
Wow! That is a heck of a story. You were more than patient. Even two year olds know the word NO!
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