Sorry but I have been gone for a few weeks. Travel schedule has been insane. You will all love this. I was in Dallas for a convention. I was in amazing hotel. I was on the was on 23rd (top) floor with a fabulous view. But sad to say that Monday night I had to get wheel chair assistance to get to my room My clients had so much to say to my boss. Really, why? Boss is pissed. What do we do, what do we say? Help me here, what do I need to say? Why are clients such a pain in the ass?
I am afraid I do not understand MAT, who is pissed? Your boss and your clients? Why?
LOL, MAT ... you've lost me too. Fill us in!
Why do your clients think you needed wheel chair assistance?
Was there another option or time to wait, like hanging around until they were gone?
I realize you are a trainer/site specialist but think of it through a VP of sales view when a key employees goes "down" in the middle of a critical meeting (During convention as you know, every client contact is critical - your competition is ten feet away)
This will pass (probably) but you might be mistaken as to the "pissed." I'd bet a dollar the emotion you are seeing is "concern" and its not for you. From the client its concern about the you companies ability to fill the contract/need and from your bosses concern that the client is concerned. You are going to have to come up with an academy award worthy explanation and reassurance for both.
If they thought you were drunk or had a med reaction even in the farthest back of their minds you need to start damage control NOW.
This is a big deal, as you know the business world is a zoo, and the tech world the darkest Jungle. The slightest chink in the confidence armor is tough. My guess is there are folks with your back who know your abilities. Start some buzz inside your company network.
Hugs, MAT! I hope you can update us and let us know how things are going!
Hey guys, I am now home. I was feeling a little put off the other night. Lamb you are so right. I have to appear to be healthy and happy to be training these people. I had a bad day, I flew to NJ for a family party and then straight to TX to work. I sometimes have a problem walking and standing for long periods of time, especially on long travel days. My convention center was a really long walk back to my hotel and I requested the wheelchair because I knew I couldn't make the walk, or I could run the risk of falling down and the making them think worse of me. What amazed me was that my customers told my VP whom I was traveling with was that I must be drunk because I needed assistance to get from one place to another. But oh wait, I was working, not drinking. I work extremely hard and never want to give a bad impression of me or my company. I don't always need help but the other day I did and to be honest it hurt me that my VP wanted to believe the worst instead of seeing what the problem really was. I know it is a big deal for my accounts to know I can do the job and I work very hard to not let it be one, I have never had an account complain about my training. I want my accounts to know that I am there and I am working hard for them. I do the best job I can and so what if sometimes I need a wheelchair assistance or need to use a cane until I have this stupid surgery done on Dec 6th and then everything should be OK be Jan 6th? Anyway guys, sorry I just needed a place to vent. Thank you for your support and understanding, I will heading to Georgia next week. Hopefully it will be better!
Hi MAT, I know - it is a very difficult balance. One of the things you may consider is that neither your customers nor your VP really thought you were drunk enough to need a wheelchair - it is just that the idea of having someone as capable, and most of the time, apparently healthy as you, suddenly go down like that would be so terribly confronting to them, that they had to find an alternative explanation that their mind was comfortable with. They really wouldn’t want to consider that this could actually happen to them, or a loved one, so it’s much easier to laugh it off as being drunk.
Another option for next time might be to get a taxi - even if its only a few blocks. Try the bluff and bluster approach of I’m too important to walk! 
I always dread the day that I’m in Africa and someone thinks its a good idea to walk around the entire oroject area (that’s what geos usually do) - its likely to be a 5k walk minimum - but so far I’ve found ways to break it up into smaller walks (wow what an interesting rock - I think I’ll sit down and look at it for a while…)
You got it Matt, instead of PT we need acting lessons....... stinks doesn't it.
The whole situation sounds pretty awful, MAT. I recently had a similar situation and I feel your frustration, anger and confusion.
It truly sucks that we have to spend so much time faking it. Some people fake being sick to get out of work. We fake being well to keep our jobs.
OK, MAT, you know what I’m going to say. Take control of this monster, because it is a monster. I don’t think you can afford to have too many scenes like the one you had in Texas. And this ain’t Vegas: what happens in Texas does NOT stay there.
"Buzz buzz buzz … She doesn’t look sick … and then all of a sudden she asks for a wheelchair … and you know what I think … too bad, really, cuz she’s a really good trainer … but you know, there’s no smoke without … buzz buzz"
I really think you need to consider how you’re going to conserve your spoons and make yourself look completely and totally in control, which I’m guessing you usually are. My suggestion is, get yourself a lightweight travel scooter. You won’t be wasting your precious energy on walking from A to B. And you will be projecting an image that says "Hey, I’ve got a problem (which you DO, MAT!) but it doesn’t stop me, and I’ve got it (and everything else) all under control."
OK, I know, you’re going to say something about pride and its not being part of your image. But is suddenly having to call for a wheelchair because you find yourself at the end of your stamina part of your image? I somehow don’t think so.
I wasn’t getting one of those old lady things either. And I sure wasn’t trading my little Toyota in for a van with a lift! But at one point I realized that PsA had given me a choice: I could sit around having a pity party (by myself) or I could be out doing things. So you know what they say! When the going gets tough the tough go shopping. And I found this:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6xW2YM-4vSM&autoplay=1&desktop…
As you can see, it breaks down into four parts that I can and do load into the car myself. I get some odd looks, but I also get some lovely offers of help. Usually, I decline those offers. But I’ll chat a bit and tell them a short story about how my feet are being eroded by a nasty disease but that I’m still strong enough to load the 30 lb piece into the trunk. (That would be the boot for our Brit friends ;-). One guy said “I LOVE your attitude, you just made my day.” And of course, that made mine too!
Think about it, MAT.
And when I’m using my “ride” I try to project something I learned from Nym. “Radiant acquiescence.”
Such a wonderful expression: just saying it to myself make me feel better.
Thank you everyone for your support and advise. I was just crushed and devastated because I travel so much and work so hard. I couldn't take a taxi because the convention center was attached to the hotel, so walking was the option. I know I should not have let it get to me but it did. Thanks to all of you for letting me vent and feel sorry for myself ! had a long talk with my VP today so he is now on the same page with me and will support me as we go thru convention season together He honestly didn't realize how my disease affects my body. I hope all of you have a great evening and an even better tomorrow, I know I will - GOING TO SEE THE BABIES TOMORROW - YEA, YEA!
Grand baby day! YAAAAAAY! I’ll bet every time you go they have changed. By now they are … let’s see, smiling and babbling and soooooo cute!
Thank goodness you had a productive talk with your VP. That really helpss, and I’m sure he understands the disease and appreciates you better now. Convention season sounds absolutely brutal! Those conference/hotel places are COLOSSAL, right up there with airports!
I’m relieved that you’re sounding a bit happier today.
Yay for BABIES and for talking to the VP and getting him on the same page.
Seenie - Oooh - I need to go back and re-read that post. That phrase popped into my head just yesterday as I was struggling with something and it dawned on me that there was another path to take, the one where I let it go and joyfully trust in what is to come. :) http://rannygahoots.blogspot.com/2013/02/ra.html