EVIL DISCRIMINATORY BUS DRIVER!

[Loon-A-TiK]

I got a free disabled pass from my mental health clinic today to take the bus home. When I tried to use my pass, the driver pointed out the word "disabled" on it and told me I "don't look disabled", and asked to see an ID or something validating that I am disabled. It isn't like this is Nazi Germany or something and we people with mental health issues have to carry around special IDs or something, so I just took out my new Haldol script, pointed across the street to the clinic, handed him my new appointment card, and told him that I'm mental. That it was any of HIS business. He proceeded to tell me that I could get ARRESTED for using that pass without "appropriate ID" (since when did riding the bus require an ID? And since when do crazy people need special IDs anyway?), and threatened to call the cops on me.

I ripped him a new one. I told him that he was discriminating against mentally interesting people. He started the race thing with me. I said I don't care if he's black- he should be in the cause for equality with me, and not pick on me for being different, just like he doesn't want others to pick on him for being a minority. I got a lecture about the civil rights movement.

That set me off big time! I lectured him about every kind of stigma and discrimination against us MI, from the jokes to the shirts and ads, portrayals on TV and in movies. Then he bragged (out of the blue) that he is going to get his BA from the U of Phoenix. Well gee, I have my BA and am working on my MA (from one of the highest ranked universities in the US), so I had to throw that in. I told him I'm smart and crazy, and that he messed with the wrong psycho, and to expect to get fired once my lawyer has a word with his Director.

End of saga.

[wifezilla]

You should have said "Funny, you don't LOOK like a complete asshole."

LOL

Glad you gave him hell.

[Lily]

Ooh, I like Wifezilla's reposte!

[AirMarshall]

I don't know the rules in your city, but where I last lived you had to register and be approved to use the handicapped transport. They DID issue an authorization card, can't remember whether it had photo or not. This was separate from the requirement to pay for each trip.

So, the mental health facility very well may have issued you a fare voucher (a courtesy), while you are not authorized to use the transport (your responsibility). I'm sure the transport folks would be glad to give you an application and the documentation requirements.

Happy trails.

a.m.

[ehygon]

wow loon, that would totally piss me off. And seriously, the race card? How sad. It's not like you got on the bus and slurred at him.

Personally, I would have choked a bitch. You've got more self control than I have, haha.

[praxis]

You are so cool LOON!

[Loon-A-TiK]

Thanks all! We need to unite for crazy people!

So today I got a call from his high, high boss because I called my lawyer who called them who made a huge stink about it. He assured me that he had located the Discriminatory Driver, was sending him to "sensitivity training", that he'll fax my lawyer a copy of the completed training forms to prove the training, and send me a year of free regular bus passes, so I never get questioned for having disabled ones. He also said that if I do use disabled ones, that I am allowed to with no question, that I should just make sure to have his (the boss boss boss's) name and number on me when I do so, in case I get an asshole, and I can show the asshole this information and inform him/her that I have validation from this boss to ride the f*ing bus and not be picked on for being crazy.

And what did him being black have to do with it? He picked on me for being crazy! I "don't look crazy". Just because I'm a non-crazy-looking person has nothing to do with it. NERVE! I gave it to him about how crazy people and WOMEN still don't have rights in this society.

Wifezilla, I love it. I've also seen a shirt around that says "I'm medicated and you STILL annoy me". I NEED it!

Loon