Volunteer Accused of Having “Disability” Fights Back

Chifundo
A woman looking like she is praying.
Unsplash | Ben White

A young woman who volunteers at a community garden is shocked when she finds out that she's been accused of having a disability by another volunteer. The volunteer, who has been working at the garden since the beginning of the lockdown, notices that other volunteers and the coordinator treat her differently.

After confronting the coordinator, she finds out that another volunteer told her that she had an intellectual disability and the mental age of an eight-year-old child. However, the young woman, who is in college and has normal intelligence, denies having any disability. The coordinator accuses her of acting like disabled people are "lesser" or that she doesn't want to be associated with them.

What do you think? Is she the a**hole for correcting the rumor in this situation?

Thriving on nature's goodness and good deeds 🌻🌱🙌

kiera-2000 | kiera-2000

Volunteer fights ableism after being treated differently due to disability.

kiera-2000 | kiera-2000

Volunteer with 'disability' fights stereotypes and assumptions 👊

kiera-2000 | kiera-2000

Volunteer fights ableism accusations after being called intellectually disabled 🤝

kiera-2000 | kiera-2000

Falsely accused of disability: volunteer's fight against rumors 🤔

kiera-2000 | kiera-2000

Navigating ableism and false accusations as a volunteer 🤔

kiera-2000 | kiera-2000

AITA? Let's judge this situation together! 💭

kiera-2000 | kiera-2000

Volunteer accused of having a disability fights back 💪

A volunteer at a community garden is fighting back after being accused of having a disability by another volunteer. The volunteer coordinator, who was told the false rumor, has been treating the young woman differently and talking to her slowly. The coordinator asked if the woman was comfortable working alone, but when the woman replied that she was 20 years old and didn't have any disability, the coordinator accused her of acting like disabled people are "lesser".

The young woman is now looking for neutral opinions on whether or not she was in the wrong. Read on for the comments and reactions to this surprising situation.

NTA for volunteer falsely accused of having a disability.

MagicMauiWowee | MagicMauiWowee

Falsely accused volunteer fights back against rumors and ableism 🙅‍♀️

T-RexLovesCookies | T-RexLovesCookies

Volunteer fights back after being accused of having a 'disability'. NTA.

zaftig_stig | zaftig_stig

Don't let rumors and misconceptions define you. Stand up! 💪

The__Riker__Maneuver | The__Riker__Maneuver

NTA fights back against weird situation of being accused of disability

redditor191389 | redditor191389

Clearing up a rumor: NTA and Kathy's involvement debunked

RaymondBeaumont | RaymondBeaumont

NTA volunteer defends against disability rumor with logic 🤔

MaddyKet | MaddyKet

Defending against ableism and debunking the outdated concept of "mental age" 👊

Dangerous_Beans74 | Dangerous_Beans74

Rumored disability leads to condescension; NTA stands up

blacksteel15 | blacksteel15

Standing up for oneself against false assumptions. NTA 👏

slydog4100 | slydog4100

A playful exchange in a supportive comment section 🍲

PmMeLowCarbRecipes | PmMeLowCarbRecipes

Rumor creator caught and embarrassed 😎

[deleted] | [deleted]

NTA. Coworker carrying childish rumor, coworker probably started it 🙄

ViolentHamster8II | ViolentHamster8II

Clearing up rumors: NTA fights back against false accusations

ButchR621 | ButchR621

Asserting facts is not disrespectful. NTA 🙌

MaybeAWalrus | MaybeAWalrus

Fighting back against false disability claims 🤜🤛

Hindufury | Hindufury

Don't let labels define you! Speak up and be heard 🙌

theCumCatcher | theCumCatcher

Accused volunteer's gaslighting raises suspicions. NTA. 🤔

shadow-foxe | shadow-foxe

Accused of having a disability, but volunteer fights back 🙌

sedegispeilet | sedegispeilet

Defending oneself against ableism with graciousness 💪

WebbieVanderquack | WebbieVanderquack

Volunteer denies disability rumors and clarifies miscommunication. 🤔

[deleted] | [deleted]

Fighting back against ableism 💪🏼

JustJessJ_Art | JustJessJ_Art

Accusations and manipulation: a not-so-friendly exchange 🤔

clit_n_tits | clit_n_tits

Kathy accused of spreading disability rumors, NTA fights back

RecommendsMalazan | RecommendsMalazan

Clearing the air: Fighting back against a bizarre rumor 🤔

onefish-goldfish | onefish-goldfish

Fighting back against ableism with grace and dignity ✊

Comprehensive-Crew44 | Comprehensive-Crew44

Fighting back against false rumors with grace and dignity 👏

Nathan7776 | Nathan7776

Fighting back against false rumors about disability. You go!

_Deletion | _Deletion

Falsely accused, calmly corrected. NTA wins this round. 🙌

Arbor_Arabicae | Arbor_Arabicae

Fighting back against ableism in the workplace! #NotTheA**hole 🙌

Kathy accused volunteer of having 'disability', but he's NTA 🤸‍♀️

RebelScientist | RebelScientist

Fighting back against false assumptions about disabilities. 🙅🏻‍♀️

Jillypepper72 | Jillypepper72

Is disability a privilege? Let's discuss 🤔

godluvr | godluvr

Standing up against ableism and workplace rumors. 🙌

strangecharmz | strangecharmz

Defend your identity and reputation with a strong letter 💪

RaysUnderwater | RaysUnderwater

Coordinator accused of spreading rumors about volunteer's 'disability'. NTA.

ConnectSpread5349 | ConnectSpread5349

Being sensitive to language in disability field is important 💬

CruellaFrost | CruellaFrost

Kathy's inappropriate behavior gets called out by NTA volunteer.

WolfMaiden18 | WolfMaiden18

Don't let ignorance win. Stand up for yourself 😊

snowwhitesludge | snowwhitesludge

Defending against false accusations. NTA 💪

vanillacappuccino | vanillacappuccino

Laughing at an inaccurate assumption, not at her disability.

CalliopePenelope | CalliopePenelope

Don't let anyone underestimate you 💪 Correcting misconceptions is acceptable.

TinyRascalSaurus | TinyRascalSaurus

Questioning the intelligence of other volunteers 🤔

MaybeIwasanasshole | MaybeIwasanasshole

Faking a disability is worse, NTA explains why 👏

saucynoodlelover | saucynoodlelover

Volunteer accused of f**kery vindicated, coordinator must take action.

ipakookapi | ipakookapi

Discrimination based on disability rumors; advocate for formal discussion + procedure.

Jazzlike_Humor3340 | Jazzlike_Humor3340

Stand up for yourself and confront the accuser 💪🏼

Unit-Healthy | Unit-Healthy

Standing up against wrongful accusations of ableism. 👏

pnutbuttercups56 | pnutbuttercups56

Disability is not a barrier to kindness. NTA comment wins ❤️

BadAdviceGiver666 | BadAdviceGiver666

Fighting back against rumor of disability, NTA corrects accuser.

Xx_PandaBunny_xX | Xx_PandaBunny_xX

Don't let HS mean girls win. Get your hours and leave 👊

[deleted] | [deleted]

Demanding answers: 🤔 Who told her that? Complaint-worthy behavior!

ExcitementGlad2995 | ExcitementGlad2995

Standing up to discrimination and demanding an apology. 👊

MrGelowe | MrGelowe

Kathy accused volunteer of disability, NTA fights back.💪

lizlikes | lizlikes

Celebrate diversity and self-identification! 🎉

Double-dutcher | Double-dutcher

Standing up to a busybody - NTA wins 👍

Chasman1965 | Chasman1965