When I make an appointment for someone to come here, all I ask is that they be on time. Evidently that is too much to ask for some people in a state agency.
I made an appointment with a woman who was to come here at 9 a.m. a couple of weeks ago and when she hadn't shown up by 9:20 a.m., I called her only to find out that she thought I was coming to her office. I was disappointed and exasperated, but we talked and she asked me a bunch of questions to determine which programs I might be qualified for. Then on Tuesday, she called and wanted to come here to discuss those programs and I said it wasn't convenient for her to come and could we schedule another time. I again asked her to please schedule an early appointment because it would be easier to talk with Mom still in bed. So we made an appointment for Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. for her to come here.
It is such a big deal for anyone to come to the house because Mom is getting so she doesn't want any company. So I must explain to her who is coming and the purpose for their visit and hopefully she won't object too much.
So on Tuesday night, right before Mom went to bed, I told her I was going to have company and the woman would be here early.
Wednesday morning, I got up extra early, made sure the house was tidy and neat, and was ready for the woman by 8:55 a.m. Nine o'clock came and went and still no one came. At 9:10, the phone rang, waking Mom up, and it was the woman saying she was on her way. I just couldn't believe it. From her office, it usually takes between 20-25 minutes to get here, so she wouldn't have been here until at least 9:30 or later. And after the phone rang, of course Mom got up, which afforded us no opportunity to really talk.
I just got so upset at this woman. I told her I didn't need any more stress in my life and she was certainly adding to it at this point. I asked why she was late this time, and she said she had gotten a phone call. I said I couldn't talk to her any longer and hung up.
Then I got angry.
I called her supervisor, who of course didn't answer her phone, so I left a detailed message. And then I went outside to work in the garden. I just had to get out of the house.
When I came back inside, the supervisor had left me a message, making excuses for her employee and saying I had to be more flexible.
I returned her phone call and had to leave yet another message, indicating as calmly as I could, just how upset I was and that I didn't want to work with this woman.
The supervisor returned my call and began to make excuses again and I told her quite frankly I didn't want to hear them. Finally, she agreed to come out to the house herself next Monday at 8:30 a.m. to talk to me.
The thing is, I just want them to respect me and my time. I make plans every day about what I must do to take care of Mom the best way I know how. Those plans are always flexible, because I never know what the day may bring. But my time is just as precious as anyone else's and I need them to respect that. It's not like I can just drop everything and do what they want at their convenience.
I felt like they don't respect me or my time. I hope, IF they show up on Monday, that I will not need to communicate that I feel disrespect from them.
We'll see.
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