[George Bieniaszek]

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.

I am so sorry that you had to experience this idiot. I swear that the way some people behave and act towards others, it seems like they just crawled out of the trees with no social skills.

You definitely took the high road and didn't lower yourself and engage in an argument with him.

Mark Twain once said "Never argue with a fool because a bystander will not be able to tell the difference"

[CFrance]

Cquick, it's so lovely that your son can enjoy the music. Your lack of response was the best possible comeback. He wanted to start something, and you opted out. You are the better person, and he is an a... well, we all know what he is. Don't be hurt by someone lower than life.

God bless you and your son.

[Madelaine Amee]

I feel for you. You might have said your beautiful son is not in a wheelchair because he wants to be!

How totally ignorant of a stranger to come up and say something like that. I don't think I would have been as civil as you were, in fact I know I would not have been civilized at all.

[Happinow]

This is a sad situation. Shame on this person to say such things. Maybe he should mind his own business!! I also see your son parked up by the stage and I alway smile because I can see how much he enjoys the entertainment. Don't let this bonehead ruin your day. There's always someone out there who oversteps their boundaries and this loudmouth did. Keep on doing what you are doing. You have plenty of support by your fellow TOTVers. Get out there and enjoy the music!!

[outlaw]

"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."
Could it be the man felt sorry for your son being left alone, while you went and sat with other friends. I'm not saying you did anything wrong. But maybe the man thought you kind of abandoned him up by the stage.

[Codysmom]

Connie, your lack of response to him was the best way to handle it. If you had run up and moved him, he would have won, but you didn't. Bring him everywhere you want and make sure that he enjoys every single minute of the entertainment. Bravo!!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Codysmom

Connie, your lack of response to him was the best way to handle it. If you had run up and moved him, he would have won, but you didn't. Bring him everywhere you want and make sure that he enjoys every single minute of the entertainment. Bravo!!

Unbelievable. He was also probably one of the people who rope off 30 seats at 4PM as well, just to add to the hypocrisy. You just keep taking your son everywhere he wants to go---you and all parents of children with disabilities deserve sainthood. I might also suggest the following response---" Good evening sir, but I am at a loss to understand why you would ever interject yourself into my business with such a rude comment"---it should leave him speechless and apologetic

[redwitch]

I did wonder if he thought you were being rude for leaving him alone or because he didn't want to see a younger person in a chair. Either way, the man was a dolt and you were a total lady. Your son is very fortunate to have such caring parents. We Villagers are fortunate to have your family, especially your son, enjoying the Squares. Thank you for taking him there and bringing joy to those who can see how much he is enjoying himself. For the dolt, his loss.

[123Cookie]

same here - have seen your son there many nights and enjoy seeing him enjoying the music -- also like the lights on the wheelchair!!!! -- don't change what you are doing for one SMALL person - he is wrong and you are right!!! God Bless!

[ricthemic]

I really hope this rude idiot reads TOTV

[cquick]

Originally Posted by outlaw

"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."
Could it be the man felt sorry for your son being left alone, while you went and sat with other friends. I'm not saying you did anything wrong. But maybe the man thought you kind of abandoned him up by the stage.

yes, I thought about that too. Maybe he did think that my husband and I just stuck him up there and left.......but most people see us taking careof him, talking to him, dancing with him, giving him a drink at breaktime. It's possible that this person didn't realize that it's our son's choice to be where he sits.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by cquick

yes, I thought about that too. Maybe he did think that my husband and I just stuck him up there and left.......but most people see us taking careof him, talking to him, dancing with him, giving him a drink at breaktime. It's possible that this person didn't realize that it's our son's choice to be where he sits.

BUT.

It was none of his business, and he should have waited and watched and noticed the caring love you always show Patrick, before he ran his mouth.

[Justus]

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.

By the overwhelming supportive response to your story, you can see that others are appalled at what this jerk said to you. He's a bully. Don't internalize his boorish behavior. The fact that he had to include unnamed "others" means he is weak and didn't have the courage to launch this attack on his own. Living with himself is his own personal punishment.

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Don't let the bastards grind you down. ...

Bingo.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

I might also suggest the following response---" Good evening sir, but I am at a loss to understand why you would ever interject yourself into my business with such a rude comment"---it should leave him speechless and apologetic

I thought of lots of smart remarks afterwards, but yours is one of the best.

Not that I'll remember to use it the next time this happens, and this sort of thing happens more often than people realize.