Feeling very unimportant

[ValorWoman4Jesus]

I have overcome alot already, but I feel as though I am being treated as unimportant. I try to know who I am in Christ and I also know that God gave me my personality, heart and identity. I am discouraged about people not seeing me as an important servant of God.

Anyhow the latest thing to weigh heavy on my heart can be read in my blog at -> Higher Value – Making sure that people are blessed with Joy and Sweetness | journeywithmercy

I feel as though I am not important enough to do the things I dream of doing. But anyhow, to summarize what I posted in my blog as presented above, I brought my therapy dog, a beautiful Golden Retriever to the Celebrate Fairfax festival. I admit, I never really cared for the city/county Fairfax VA anyway. But God has opened my eyes to show me about the services and recreation afforded to children with special needs in that county. I am trying to establish my own therapy dog ministry and gig with my Golden Retriever as I also aspire to be a motivational speaker and peacemaker. I want my dog to be an instrument of the love of Jesus Christ in the community. When I went to the festival with my dog Mercy and my family, she made alot a people happy as she brough sweet joy and cheer to people. Someone from the leadership team told us that dogs were not allowed and unless Mercy was part of the dock diving competition, we were to leave. I tried to explain that Mercy's presence was to bless the people at the event, which she was doing but they wouldn't listen. I even said I would enter Mercy into the dock diving competition. When we headed there, the woman apparently called security and he basically kicked us out because of my wonderful dog. The security guard wouldn't even let me enter Mercy into the Dock Diving competition when the previous woman pointed the way there.(Mercy is still too scared to jump in the water, we could use some practice. I will look into more dock diving classes)

I know that since I am on the spectrum, that my thinking is flawed. I see things differently and I wish to advocate for more openess about the benefits of well trained dogs being allowed at more events especially since they're such a blessing to the Northen Virginia community. I needed to vent. I feel like we were targeted because we are different, not just because of the dog. You can also see and recognize my husband's long white hippie hair a mile away. This makes my husband who is also autistic an outcast. I need support badly. I feel very saddened an humiliated by this. God Bless You All!

Your sister in Christ

Janet

 

[ValorWoman4Jesus]

I am saddened about there not being any responses with there being 59 views. But I will say this: My bus driver can see that I am a determined person keeping on despite my weariness and uncertain future. He gives me fist bumps when he greets me or says good bye to me sometimes. That is God letting me know that He is with me and hearing my cries. I do believe that God is doing something big behind the scenes. My heart is still very heavy though and I need increased strength to move on.

 

[Odetta]

I love your heart for ministry. I'm sorry you were treated poorly.

Do you think it would have made a difference if you'd told them your dog was a service dog? Sometimes, exceptions are made for people who need service dogs with them. But then again, service dogs by design generally aren't supposed to interact with others because they are technically working for the benefit of their owner. The service dogs I've seen tend to wear a vest of some sort that identifies them as a service dog.

The other thing I was thinking is that maybe there was a prior sign-up process for the dock diving competition - meaning you had to sign your dog up somewhere prior to the opening of the festival.

Other than that, I think an organized event like that does need to have some rules in place to make the event happens in an orderly fashion. Like no dogs allowed except for 1) those signed up for the dock diving competition, 2) working service dogs (working for their owners, not to play with other people). I put in #2 because I can't imagine they cannot allow service dogs if they want to adhere to disability laws. So I can kind of see their point, in that you did deliberately admit to having the dog there to interact with other people, not to act as your personal service dog. But they could have been nice and allowed you to enter your dog into the dock diving competition.

 

[MoeSzyslak]

I wouldn't take it personally. When people put on events they have to purchase insurance. Many insurances say no dogs. So if they want to have an event, they may have no choice but to not allow dogs.

If your dog is bringing joy perhaps try it in another venue. Animals do have a great therapeutic value.

 

[dayhiker]

I agree you shouldn't take this personal as I'm sure the same rule would have applied to everyone who brought a dog and hadn't got the OK before hand.