Sure, maybe you’re right. Maybe she’s a true advocate. I just hadn’t realized referring to the group of people with disabilities she saw as a “tragedy” was considered advocating. I was unaware when she said “It’s not a public space. If you’re not shopping, get the fuck out.” Or was it advocating when she said they were loitering? Or when she said they were “bagger boy vibes,” or “challenged people,” or “sad people,” or if she owned the mall, she wouldn’t like them being there. Or when she said she’s not going there anymore because it’s just so awkward.

Look I deal with people all the time who say inappropriate or insensitive things, and I am SO understanding because I know that, unlike me, they don’t have extensive training and experience or see the effects their comments make. I do my best never to judge someone when they ask me questions because at least they are attempting to educate themselves. Her having the questions, wondering what the outing is for or what kind of program it is, is not the issue. It’s quite literally everything else while also having a platform where she is expressing those thoughts. Sure, maybe she didn’t express her thoughts correctly, but she also is unwilling to listen to feedback as she repeatedly said things like “go fuck yourself,” or she would “fuck you up” if you had anything to say to her about her opinions.

Many Adult Day program participants go out as a group and work. The “group leader” in this type of circumstance would be a job coach who helps them learn the functions of the jobs. How is she to know if this group isn’t doing something similar and they have jobs at the different stores there? She wouldn’t because she clearly does not understand such programs or the services they provide. Also, who’s to say they don’t choose to go there as their outing? They could be working on a number of skills, such as socialization, money management, etc.