The 1950s Called; They Want Their Medical Results
BIGOTRY, HOSPITAL, JERK, KENTUCKY, NURSES, STRANGERS, STUDENTS, USA | FRIENDLY HEALTHY | JANUARY 10, 2019
(My husband is having a day-long series of medical tests at a Veterans Administration hospital in Kentucky. I drove him there, so I am camping out in the waiting room working on some homework on my laptop for the supply chain management courses I am taking online. I have been working for about an hour and a half when I am approached by an elderly man.)
Elderly Man: “What are you doing on that computer?”
Me: “I am a Transportation and Logistics Management student at [Well-Respected Online college]. I am working on the homework for my supply chain management courses.”
Elderly Man: “Why aren’t you going to nursing school?! Nursing is the only respectable occupation for a woman!”
Me: “What? I can’t qualify for nursing school because I had a stroke a few years ago and my right hand is partially paralyzed.”
(I hold up my right hand and show that I can only use my middle finger and thumb.)
Elderly Man: “But you could be a nurse if you tried harder! Why are you playing with that silly supply chain management stuff? Only men do that!”
Me: “I also have an active Class-A commercial driver’s license to drive tractor trailers.” *reaches into my purse to pull out my license* “I like transportation!”
Elderly Man: “But nurses are so sweet! You should be sweet like a nurse!” *motions to one of the VA nurses*
(The VA nurse chimes in
VA Nurse: “I wouldn’t want her as a nurse with that hand of hers. She would never pass nursing school, anyway. I have met [My Name] before, and that woman is planning on going to law school after she finishes her bachelor’s degree because of the way she has argued her husband’s VA disability claim.”
Elderly Man: “How disgraceful! A woman working as a truck driver and wanting to become a lawyer! Why can’t women be sweet and realize their place in the world?!”
(I put my earbuds on and cranked some Bon Jovi on my laptop and tried to ignore the old coot until he was called for his appointment.)