Please share this to prevent this from happening again anywhere to anyone (whether it be related to age, gender, race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexual orientation, health condition, disability or ability).

I was completely ignored when I went up to order food (they just walked away from me) at a restaurant recently. My friend and I stood there for a second in total disbelief, thinking, “Did that really happen?!”

I had to do something about it, so I wrote this letter. About 10 minutes later, I came back and gave it to the staff and stood there while each of them read it!

For those of you who can’t read my chicken scratch of handwriting, here’s what it says:

Hi, My name is Brittany Adler. I am 24 years old. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and Heath Science. I plan on getting my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. I also happen to have Dystonia, a condition that affects my muscle tone and speech. Just because I have this disability doesn’t mean I should be disrespected. It is a good thing that I am a strong individual otherwise, I would have been devast(at)ed. With that being said, everyone, including people with disabilities, should be respected equally… even though it may be harder to understand them. You should never give up on people. Everyone has something to say!
Sincerely, Brittany

(A week later, I found out that I’m starting PT school this summer.)

Also, this didn’t happen at Hurricane’s (the menu you see beneath the letter). We went there after the incident and had great service! 

Please share this article as a reminder to everyone that all people should be treated with kindness and respect and that we will not tolerate discrimination for any reason!

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Editor: Travis May

Photo: Author’s Own