This mistake didn’t affect just me.

So as I was checking him in, I was surprised when the receptionist couldn’t see his appointment. But then I thought how the evening before someone made the comment about it being November. At the time I thought that comment would be more appropriate on the 1st of the month. I assumed that as it was the 2nd she was just trying to use a conversation filler. But as I looked at the confused receptionist I realised my error. I was running a day ahead.

But this time it was even more complicated. Even when I asked if I was a day early, she said she couldn’t see any appointments for him at all. I know I can be dreadful with dates, but I don’t just make up appointments. Unfortunately I had forgotten the letter and it was sat in my house, the other side of the country. Another member of staff gave me a disapproving look and told me I should have brought the letter. Well that was it. I knew I’d made some errors, but I didn’t need someone telling me off. So I explained I have a brain injury so my memory isn’t great, but there’s no point in us going on about it because I can’t just get it. And I cried.

At that point they tried harder to find out when his appointment was due. I hate crying in public, but why does it take that for people to put in just a little more effort? As his appointment was with a mobile team it was on a different system. But yes I was a day early. Imagine if I’d accepted the first response of that he didn’t have an appointment at all. I would have gone home only to find I needed to reschedule the appointment and come back. I know the error was mine, which I quickly admitted. But I find it hard to understand why people are so reluctant to be helpful. It felt like they only took the extra step to avoid a scene.