Many times through the powers of social media the negativity of both employees and customers of fast food restaurants are seen at what can be best described as their breaking points. Many times the breaking point is generated by customers speaking in an elevated tone and demanding to have things made right or even something complimentary as if they are entitled for someone’s wrongdoing.
Hence this morning, I went to McDonald’s and ordered my usual Sausage McMuffin with Egg that I had planned on my journey through town this morning. The server instantly had the food ready for me before I could even get my drink and sit down. I slowly took a bite into the sandwich and realized that it was Canadian Bacon as the meat.
For years I would just deal with what was given to me. I am never one to complain about things that are wrong because I fear not getting a proper resolution or being called out for doing something inappropriate.
Nonetheless, as the McDonald’s had it’s regulars inside, I took the sandwich and my receipt to show the team members who were at the register. They accepted the responsibility and told me they would bring me the Sausage McMuffin with Egg to my table.
I did not eat the Bacon McMuffin as it is not my thing, nor did I want the extra calories or something free. I am not that person and all through my nearly 2 mile walk through town my mind was set on a Sausage McMuffin with Egg.
This is the power of self-advocacy skills at work. It is standing up for what is right and being able to make decisions and advocate for what YOU want as an individual, regardless of whether you have autism or any other challenge that makes advocating for yourself difficult to do.
This is yet another milestone where I had to fight the barriers of my anxiety and speak up to make things right. It has taken me a long time to get this far and well in my life where I can do so with the proper tone and diction in order to live a life just like everyone else does.
Dustin's Dynasty 