@.%. = M.A. – - – as in Medical Assistance (a federal or state run program that provides benefits for children with certain types of disabilities, such as cognitive or developmental, i.e. Autism)

Yep, I swore. I must have. They fawned over my husband and I as he looked at glasses frames, needing a new pair because he’d broken his over the weekend. I’d mentioned that I was also looking for my son because we recently learned he also needed glasses. I was getting a look at what they had for kids’ frames and would come back with him later, possibly that night after school. The clerk was so helpful and happy to show me options, even bringing out more frames from her back room.

And then I did it. I said “the naughty word”. My son has M.A. and we were thinking that we’d like to also get him a pair of frames through his M.A. insurance. We figured he could use those glasses when he was playing sports or in the yard. It was like someone turned the light off. I can’t even describe for you the STARK contrast in customer service from that point on. Wow, it was like they were saying – “Please leave now. If you want to use M.A. (even though we offer it as an option) we don’t want any of your business.” I was so thrown off, confused, dumbfounded – honestly, I just didn’t get it. I went so far… I actually came back there with my son!? He tried on frames, and his senses went into overload. It was overwhelming, for many reasons, but I don’t doubt he sensed the rude attitude oozing out of the clerks.

Grrr. It took me several more days before I was able to find out why this “M.A.” was so *awful*. I straight out asked another honest and compassionate provider who explained to me why that clinic may have acted that way, albeit – they were not justified in doing so. It’s costly for them to offer these frames and service to people. That simple. Wow. I called up the head optometrist at the clinic and explained to him what happened.  How disappointing it was to be treated that way. Especially when you consider we live in a small community and we’re likely to need glasses again in the future.  We came in there trying on frames for two members of our family, we were actually planning (and told them this!) to buy a pair of nice glasses through our private insurance and out-of-pocket expense and then on top of that do the M.A. glasses, and geez… you OFFER this (insurance) program – it is a provider’s choice whether or not to offer it. How rude.

I should have gotten up at that moment and walked out of there. I would have, had I been more educated about what they were doing to me, why they were treating me that way. But I guess this time God was using my lack of knowledge at the time to keep my mouth shut until He was ready for me to calmly face the situation.

Sadly, I still gave them my business. And we’re skipping on the M.A. frames. I don’t really like that I’ve caved on all fronts. I guess you could say I took one for the team. Trying on frames is hard for Owen (7 with Autism), and we actually found one he liked there that fit him. I couldn’t put him through looking at lots of different places. BUT, I have learned from this situation, and I really do hope that somehow God will work in the hearts of the people at that clinic… in particular one very rude woman there who needs a serious reality check. Really, get over yourself lady. There’s more to life than judging a sweet little seven year old who happens to have a hard time trying on glasses frames, gets wiggly, and his mother who happens to say “the naughty word”.

*Disclaimer: I wanted to note that I have had positive experiences with some M.A. providers (dental, medical) but sadly had very negative experiences with two eye care providers in our small community.