So this happened a while ago and I've written a letter to the management of the centre who haven't replied yet- but I just wanted to know if anybody else had experienced this...
A few weeks ago I approached the creche at our local swimming pool to book DS in (you have to book 3 days ahead). It was going to be for an hour. I walked in with DS in the pram, just to check it out for myself and to book, when the little so-and-so that was in there said that they didn't take disabled babies.
Now, DS is only 4 1/2 months old. I'm not sure what everybody elses kid does at this age, but this little guy pretty much looks around, giggles, and has a quiet chat to himself. Anyone who meets him says he is one of the most chilled out little fella's they've ever met. BUT at the time he was wearing a pavlik harness for hip dysplasia (since moved to a DB brace YAY!). I was taken aback and didn't really know what to say- 'I'm sorry, it's for an hour, I'm not sure what the problem would be?'. The reply was 'Nappy changes will be too difficult'. Again, "Um, I'll only be an hour, I'm 20m away in the pool, if there's some random poo event, I can come in and change him myself". Her reply, again "I'm sorry, we don't deal with disabled babies."
Has anyone ever had to deal with this???? How did you deal with it? Like I said it was a couple of weeks ago and I'm still a bit funny about it. I've written to the management of the centre, but now I don't want to go back because they'll look at DS in a different light.
Please follow up on letter you sent. What if you were a person who did have a "disabled child" and not one who happens to be in a brace to stop a disability/problem when older, it could have tipped someone over the egde into PND.
My feelings exactly feeb, if I did indeed, have a disabled child, I can't imagine the hurt I would be feeling. I'm more angry for all the other parents who have potentially been turned away by this person, who I sincerely hope was speaking on behalf of herself, and not the organisation for which she works. I have made a formal complaint, and if they don't acknowledge my letter, I will definitely be following it up! Thanks xxxx
Firstly i think it is disgraceful the way that she spoke with you.. massive
Personally i haven't had to deal with it and yes i can see that there may be 'challenges' in providing care for a child with a disability or physical impairment but that does not mean they cannot make suggestions to accomodate you.
At the very least she could have said i'm sorry our policy is ........ but if you'd like to speak to a manager.
I am assuming like most leisure centres it is an every day staff member 'babysitting' and she's not wanting to do the extra work as she's not properly trained to be a carer.
Hoping the centre has the decency to respond, if not i would be taking it as high as possible just for their lack of empathy.
My DS was in a Dennis Brown brace for 6 months and if that had happened to me I would have GONE TO TOWN on that carer - not that she even deserves the title of carer.
That is completely discriminatory and I would be reporting the creche to the Australian Human Rights Commission as in Australia we have anti-discrimination laws against discriminating against the disabled. Not that I would consider a baby in a corrective brace disabled anyway (I never considered my DS that way) but if this worker has said that "they dont take disabled" babies then they are surely in breach of this law. I could understand if your child needed specific medical needs that required a qualified and trained health care worker to assist, but seriously a brace?
Follow up babe, make them change their policy and make them ashamed of themselves - I'd be demanding an apology as well
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr and hugs to you - you handled it much more diplomatically than I would have
oh my gosh how rude!!!
hun. definently take it further!! how dare they judge on looks... your son isnt disabled his just having a minor set back...
and if they cant handle it they shouldnt be doing that job.. like you said its only an hr.. not a whole day
i would be upset too that is wrong..
Oh n yeyyy his obviously not disabled if his moving down the ladder of braces!! good on him a big milestone for him
it s**** me that judgement on a baby can be passed so easily just by a tiny glimpse..
BIG HUGS..
Creche not taking 'disabled' baby
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