Quote:
Originally Posted by cquick
I took my son who is 37 years old and in a wheelchair to Brownwood tonight to listen to the music. It was Carole Ann and she was great.
I got him all set up in his usual spot in front of the stage, but to the side (so he wouldn't block anyone's view) and I got my chair and was sitting near the bleachers to listen to the entertainment.
A man came up to me and said that he had been told by other people and entertainers that they think it's rude for me to put him by the stage and just leave him there. Needless to say, I was at a loss for words. I wanted to retort back to him that it was not his business, but I didn't. I asked him specifically who told him that. But he wouldn't say.
I did tell him that my son was a Village resident and that one of his favorite things to do is listen to music. I told him that the entertainment was darned lucky to have a good audience who really loves the music. I also gently told him that if any entertainers didn't like a good audience that they should find a different line of work.
After the encounter, I just sat in my chair and started to feel very hurt by his remarks. I started thinking about all the horrible things I could have said to him, but of course I didn't. But I am still a little bit shaken by the fact that some people don't understand what it's like not to be able to see 10 feet in front of you, and have to depend on your parents to take you everywhere.
One of the principal reasons we moved to The Villages was the live entertainment every day of the year.
I am just happy that this is really the first time anyone has been so blatantly unkind to me since we moved here in 2011.
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I've seen your son many times in front of the stage, and each time, my eyes fill with tears of joy, seeing him enjoy the music so, so much.
Our friends and visiting relatives feel the same way and have commented to us that it is wonderful seeing people with disabilities out there having fun like everyone else.
I suspect that the so-called man who said that "other people and entertainers" said that they think it's rude for you to put him by the stage and just leave him there.....didn't have the guts to say this was his
own bone-headed judgement of the matter.
And I doubt the singers/players said anything like that. If anything, they would enjoy performing for someone as enthusiastic as your son or others with similar disabilities/wheelchair who are up front near the band.
If he would do that again, tell him it's none of his business and he'll have to find another listener for his mean-spirited talk.