Racism from a child!?!?!

[dodge__driver11]

Let me use my situation as an example:

This particular instance does not involve children, but a grown nurse. I am not sure if some of you know, but I have circulation issues in my legs and as a result some leg ulcers opened, (other treatment failed) and need to be wrapped and dressed twice weekly. So I go to a clinic to be taken care of and monitored by a wound care team. (Until compression stalkings arrive)

I have been going since August, and have a rotation of nurses who treat and wrap me, and one in particular "did not care for the fact" (her words) that I care for children in my home, and just "didn't get how someone in a wheelchair could do it." I assured her that all safety requirements are met and care needs are taken care of in an orderly way.....Her facial expression changed, and she has since become very hostile towards me. Going as far to say in front of other staff, that my "legs were hard to do, and she'd rather not do my care, and that she was surprised that they had not voiced concern."

Note: No other staff have ever said this, and OH&S is HUGE when doing care of this nature, and I imagine she was just looking for a way to avoid me, but it backfired...As she still had to do care when I was on her rotation.... (in silence and very roughly I might add)

Well fast fwd a few weeks...I arrive for my care on Friday, and hear my name being mentioned in one of the offices..._______'s clients must be so dense... and besides she's hard on my back. When her co-worker came out, I asked if I could speak with her a moment. (I was very hurt and angry btw) And to top it off, she has shared her "concern" with this co worker, who stated it was none of her business and she'd rather not be involved. (she is a manager and I trust her word)

I said "look________ I don't want to put anyone in a tough position here. It's obvious that ________ takes issue with my care, and it causing her injury, so what can we do? Is it possible to have you do my wound management instead?" I waited outside and went to the other nurse's room.

So I guess what I am trying to say here is rather than going in guns'a'blazzin and telling this offending wound care nurse I felt that she was a bigot, I took the high road, and made it about her not injuring her back.

Try to sit down with the kids, and ask them why they felt so "angry?" Make it about inclusion, and acceptance. Then maybe have a conference with the parents, giving an angle that you are confused about the reaction and are here to help, at the same time making it clear that racism and bigotry are not tolerated.

If you truly get a sense that these parents are these things or just not a fit for your child care situation, then by all means, take the steps needed.

Ps: I am not sure what the fall out of the whole situation will be.