Please know this: You wrecked my day

Dear Mitzvah Lady,

Please know this: You wrecked my day

You called today, out of the blue, with a litany of opinions on how I was investing too much effort in my daughter. You said it was futile, and I should be conserving my energy for things that are “actually doable.”

You meant well. I know you care. Even more, I know you’ve been on a similar journey — you also have a daughter with Down syndrome — and when you speak to me, you’re speaking to your younger self.

Or maybe my advocating for my child triggers guilty thoughts in you: “Maybe I should try once more, maybe there is a path to a better quality of life for my child. Maybe there is a program that could mitigate some of my child’s challenges.” But you’ve been through the wringer and have no more koach to try again.

Like I said, I know you felt you were doing me a favor.

But please know this: You wrecked my day.