Advocate like a Mother (My Name isn’t Karen)

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Although awareness is important, some days you just need to advocate like a mother to get action. Our family decided to take a camping trip this summer – the only place we’ve been since March.

Choosing the Vacation Destination

We decided to go to a commercial family campground, equipped with tons of activities to choose from. [Learn more about camping as a special needs family here]. Primarily, we go to this location for the waterpark because it’s the one activity that my kiddo is independent with. She loves it, and I do too, because it’s one of few activities that I don’t have to fully participate in. I can sit at an umbrella table and supervise.

After advocating, my kiddo got to use the waterslide
THIS says it all!

We Adapt and modify

I’ve been open about the additional needs in our little family, and how we adapt and modify to live our very best lives. I like to think we are pretty darn good at coming up with creative solutions. But, sometimes, you need to advocate so that others adapt and modify too, or at least show a little sensitivity.

In the waterpark, due to COVID-19, there is a gatekeeper allowing only a certain number of kids to go up to the slides. My kiddo (is now) a rock star at standing in line to wait her turn. In my supervisory role, I don’t intervene until I have to, allowing her to navigate situations on her own as much as possible. Watching, I see kids maneuver around her one after the other and head up to the slides.

Non Verbal cues can be confusing

Each time, I notice the gatekeeper employee motioning with his head toward the slides. Walking over to assess the situation, I said, “Nats, don’t you want to go up to the slide?” Before she could answer the teenaged gatekeeper pushed his long bangs to the side and snarked, “I TOLD her to go already!” That’s when it hit me. She didn’t understand his slight-head-to-the-side motion as explicit permission to head up.

I thought about explaining it to her so she could adapt; that a head motion means a whole bunch of words and actions, but anger hit me like a ton a bricks. Perhaps it was the snark that got me. Why should SHE adapt to unclear direction? My kid has just as much right to participate as the others. In fact, we paid the same daily rate as everyone else to be able to use the amenities. Yes, she has additional needs, but in a place labeled by the establishment as ‘accessible,’ why couldn’t this employee verbally tell her to go ahead? Or simply ask why she was standing there, blocking the way?

advocating is NOT complaining

As she finally went up the stairs to the waterslides, I addressed the employee calmly, and explained that my kiddo doesn’t understand non-verbal gestures and that telling her, out loud, it’s her turn to go to the slide will solve the issue. “OK, thanks Karen,” is what came out of his mouth. Seriously. No. He. Didn’t.

Knowing my kiddo, I knew she’d be in an endless loop of sliding, getting in line, and sliding again. I decided to stand nearby to watch the next interaction. Again, Mr. head gesture nodded, and the kiddo behind mine was about to go around her, when I said, excuse me, but you’ll have to wait your turn. As the line got ridiculously long with squirmy kids being told they needed to wait, he expressly said to my kiddo, “You can go ahead.”

Since when does voicing a problem (or in this case, educating for a solution) automatically qualify a woman as “Karen”? Google tells me that Karen is a slang term used as an antagonistic female character in memes. “Karen” is generally characterized as an irritating, entitled woman. How does that fit into those asking for a reasonable accommodation? To simply change a small behavior in order to allow everyone to participate?

Speak up for action and change

Although the situation was resolved, I did go to the front office to let them know what transpired, and that I was disappointed at what seemed to be a lack of training on their accessibility program. The manager apologized, and did offer us a private party on the beach (with the gigantic inflatables) for an hour. This allowed both my kiddos an opportunity they would have not otherwise gotten (this mama was not about to try and work around dozens of kids zipping around us as we try to safely navigate the inflatables one verbal direction at a time). They had a great time.

Inflatables look much smaller than they are from this angle– they sit in 20′ of water and take lots of upper body strength. With a little help, my kids were able to climb up the slide (left) and come screaming down at warped speed into the lake.

Since coming home, I’ve sent a certified letter (yep, good ol’ paper and stamp) to the President and COO of the company too. Just as we choose to spend our money at places where accessibility is a priority (and let those businesses know we appreciate them), I want to let this one know how they can do better. I’m hoping for a thoughtful reply.

I’d love to hear your thoughts – and a time when your inner mama bear came out to advocate for change.

Related Links
Hershey Park Accessibility Program
Camping as a Special Needs Family

Smitten with us? Share Tumble into Love with a friend!

4 comments

  1. You go Mama Bear! You’re absolutely right, that was advocating, NOT entitled whining. Sheesh, did the gatekeeper have a problem using his voice? He’s lucky to have a job in the current circumstances.
    Oops, I got a little ranty.🤐 My Mama Bear is a Gramma Bear, so I’m extra grouchy😉

    It was nice of management to give you a freebie. Unfortunately, they probably thought that’s what you were after. Companies need to do better!💟🐻

    • I agree – and hadn’t thought about the perception of getting a freebie. Honestly, I don’t think the manager knew how to respond. I imagine some of it has to do with age (not an excuse but they have a bunch of teenagers working there) and just lack of life experience. It doesn’t make it right – and the company needs to take responsibility for who they hire.

  2. No. He. Didn’t. I can’t believe he would say something like that when you are expressing the different needs of your child! I am glad you wrote the letter. I am glad you stood up for your daughter to get her place in line. I just can’t believe that guy! What a jerk. There should be a better name for him than Jerk but that is all I can come up with right now. Jerk!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.