Well....

The interview went well and was a train wreck at the same time. I nailed the interview. I think I pretty much have the job, if I want it. The person doing the interviewing was talking as if I already had the job. The next step is to go get all the fun testing done (drug screening, allowing for criminal records and such to be released). It would be a raise ($.81/hour raise). The hours would be 6:30-3:00 (so I would have time to do stuff during the day still). I would be working the infant room (woo-hoo!).

But, I'm turning down the job. Why? Because of blatent discrimination. They won't allow Owen in the daycare. And the director flat out told me it's because of his special needs. Because "we aren't equipped to handle a child like that". "Like that". As if my child has some sort of disease that's going to spread to the other children like wild fire. As if he's going to go in there and harm all their precious children because he's a freaking animal. I am still in shock. The director of the daycare (who did the interview) is also the director of the preschool (who I've talked to about Owen) so she knows about Owen and she knows about his special needs.

Now, I've had people imply that Owen can't do something or join something because of his special needs. But I have never, EVER, had someone flat out tell me that Owen can't do something because of his special needs. Never have I/Owen been that insulted. I am still shocked. Really. This is a REHAB hospital for people with SPECIAL NEEDS. They have a whole building dedicated to CHILDREN with SPECIAL NEEDS. And then they seriously turn around and say my special needs child can't attend their daycare?!? That one stings, let me tell you. I am so upset for Owen. I'm very thankful he has no idea what happened but I am still just burning up thinking about it.

Seriously. I will be turning down the job and as soon as I have confirmation that Owen is in the preschool (which, unfortunately, won't be for a couple months) I will be sending a letter to the president of the hospital. I actually had second thoughts about sending him to the preschool here, given what just happened, but everyone I've talked to (all his therapists, the director, etc) feel that this preschool is exactly what he needs. I think he will do very well in it and I've not found another program I like nearly as much. So I'm still putting him in the preschool, but once I know he's accepted I will be sending a letter explaining what I feel about this discrimination.