i was at the mall shopping with some friends this evening and witnessed something that looking back now, i wish i had stopped and said something.
there was a girl shopping with a group of guys swarming around her. at first, i didnt think anything of it, until one of them said hello to me. i realized he was mentally challenged. this girl was taking them out from a group home or something and decided to use them as clothes racks to hold her items at express.
the girl was in front of me in line. she payed and walked out with 4 guys, who were all presumably under her care, as they were noticeably handicapped. i assume she was a hab tech or cna or something equal to that.
i payed for my items and walked out to see the girl and her residents standing in the aisle. she loudly barked to one of them "tie my shoe". he obidiently bent down and attemped to tie her shoe while she obnioxiously stood there and smacker her gum and twirled her hair. when it took him longer than she liked, she kicked him in the jaw and said "get up, retard." she then pointed to another one of the guys and said "you, tie my shoe". he then bent down and tied her shoe. they walked away, each one carrying some of her shopping bags while she continued talking on her cell phone. my friends and i followed a few feet behind. she began huffing loudly when they asked her to stop for dinner. she was taking advantage of these men. i assume she was supposed to be taking them on an outing. she was more than capable to bend down and tie her shoes and carry her items.
it made me want to cry. but i was not going to start a fight with this girl in the middle of the mall and now i wish i would have. i saw them in the parking lot getting into a big van and i wondered where they were going and how much longer they would have to deal with this mean girl.
i know i shouldnt judge because i dont know the whole story. but these men were visibly handicapped and she was so disgusting to them. i am mad at myself for not saying something.
The authorities should be able to get the necessary info from Express if she paid with a credit or a debit card. The mall might also have this on tape.
I'm glad you are reporting it. It needs to stop. How dare she treat them this way. Stop in the mall next week around the same time if need be and you just might see her again. Consider it a learning experience. Next time you will get the police involved right away.
The department of welfare should be able to help. Most group homes are owned by just a few companies, if u know the names of the companies in ur area u could call them.
I work for a group home & we do dress in street clothes and don't advertise the company name as it isn't "normal". "Normal" people don't have company names, logos on their cars, & street clothes because "normal" people don't have aids/nurses living with them.
But this is abuse & needs to be reported. All MR clients are in the state system & so are the group homes- CLA's (communty living arrangement) n ICF's (intermediate care facility) they are licensed by the state & inspected regularly. Dept of Health would also be of some help
That is deplorable. Mentally handicapped people are so eager to please and often don't complain when they are being taken advantage of. Some don't even know they are being taken advantage of. It's up to society to protect them the way society protect children. They are vulnerable.
the police may not be as responsive as one might hope, but the store may have security footage either of the event it self or the "group" walking in the parking lot to the van, from there they might get a plate number.
I agree with everyone who says report it, it is patient abuse, besides being illegal this is most likely NOT a new behavior for her!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I agree with Sue...if there is a name of the facility on the van, I would call them and say what I witnessed. She was so shameless that she actually did this mess in public and didn't think that witnesses would be so outraged that she would be reported. I would have wanted to slap the crapola out of her!
Call around to all the group homes and ask to talk to the director. Explain the situation asking if they knew of someone in thier facility taking a group out at about the same time. If they need to show you pics of thier employees then do it. This person definately needs an attitude adjustment.
I have absolutely have zero tolerance for violence. Especially when it involves a person with a disability. This is the very reason why I refuse to get a provider for my little man who has Cerebral Palsy. I'm too scared.
Nobody would think twice about stepping in if a woman was being hit. Or a child. Or a man. Or a dog.
For years people with disabilities have been ridiculed, made fun of, and abused. The only way this will ever stop is to call these people out. Call the police right then and there! We wouldn't think twice about it if this had been a child kicked in the jaw.
Report the situation. Also write a letter to your local paper(s) with as much info in as possible. Someone may recognize the group home in your "story". It is amazing how many citizens you can connect with this way.
"Nobody would think twice about stepping in if a woman was being hit. Or a child. Or a man. Or a dog."
You are absolutely right. The legislation is just not there to protect the mentally disabled. If there is, it's very little or not enforced. You know and I know that a mentally disabled person of any age is no match for a regular teenager with an average brain.
mdjacobsen
18 Posts
You should've reported her to the mall security or something