overheard in costa (language matters)

non-disabled "professional": the 21st December, yes I'm off then, booked that week off work, Iv got other things to do that week, got assignments to write and family to see over christmas. busy, busy.

disabled person: So what about wednesday? (meaning this meeting, interaction)

Non-disabled "professional": O, Im sure someone else from the team can come and see you instead.

In order to show whats wrong with this conversation I overheard in costa this morning I need to write it out again in a way that would have been much better.

Non-disabled "professional": Are you doing anything over christmas? It's a busy time of the year isn't it? 

disabled person: no, not really, not got much planned.

non-disabled "professional": O, thats a shame, do you want to do anything? (thinking of things that can be arranged, it appeared to be a support worker appointment) Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to see you on these dates,so you want to see someone else that week or would you rather wait? I can give you the office number to ring if you need someone.

I have only given a snippet here, but I heard more than this so know a bit of the context. the person was being supported in some way and it was a semi formal chat about their support needs and weekly activities etc. It felt really dis empowering to the disabled person, because the non-disabled person had reduced them to just being "work" and not human. It could be argued that those boundaries were in place and that the relationship was already clear and established, but due to the location (costa coffee) of the meeting it immediately blurs those boundaries of social and formal. 

mmm..