So this happened a few weeks ago, and I’m still kind of in disbelief. I (22F) have pretty severe asthma. I don’t need it every day, but when I do, I really need my inhaler. Like, hospital-trip-if-I-don’t-use-it need it. I always carry a backup one in my bag just in case.
Anyway, I was at a small get-together my friend hosted. Just 6–7 people hanging out at her place. One of the girls there (let’s call her Brittany) brought her 6-year-old son with her, even though it was clearly a no-kids kind of thing. Not my house, so I didn’t say anything.
So I go to the kitchen to grab some water, and when I come back, I see her son playing with something and my heart stopped. This kid was playing with my INHALER. Like, pretending to shoot it like a water gun, laughing, pressing down on it.
I rushed over and took it back (gently, I swear) and said, “Hey buddy, that’s not a toy, it’s medicine. I need this for breathing.” He just shrugged and wandered off.
Then Brittany storms over and goes, “You didn’t have to snatch it from him like that.”
I was like, “Uh, it’s a prescription inhaler? I literally need it to breathe if I have an attack.”
And this woman, this absolute gem says, “Well he’s just curious. You could’ve let him try it once. It’s not a big deal.”
Try. It. Once.
Like it’s some fidget spinner or something??? I told her, flat-out, “This isn’t a toy. It’s medicine. He could get hurt, or waste it, and I wouldn’t have it when I need it. Not happening.”
She huffs and goes, “Wow, okay. Selfish much?” Then proceeds to whisper to another guest that I was “overreacting for attention.”
Girl. I don’t even want this kind of attention. I just want to not die, thanks.
Anyway, my friend (the host) ended up asking her to leave because the kid kept messing with people’s stuff and Brittany refused to keep an eye on him.
As she left, she muttered something like, “God, everyone’s so sensitive these days.”
Yup. Sensitive about breathing.