On 4/25/2020 I Went to the Auburn Maine Bj's club. I had to pick up a few things, and My gram was with me. She is 97 with dementia. I am her primary care giver, so despite there a stay order, I brought her with me as she can not stay by herself. She, of course, was wearing PPE. She told me she had to use the ladies room, and I brought her. I did not go in with her as I explained that was not appropriate. Again she is 97 and has dementia, so that did register with her. I explained that I could not go in, but I could go to get help, she was not comfortable with that so I quickly went to see how I could help. She had locked herself in the stall and could bot get out, I explained I would go get someone. This is when things got sour. I was yelled at by a customer calling me a pervert and I had to explain what I was doing in the ladies room, she didn't care and threatened to call the police. I left and went to get help, on the way back I was told by yet another customer that I should be assumed for leaving my gram by herself. At this time My gram was crying and yelling because she was scared an confused. The help I got was from a manager, I did not get a name. She told me that "Yes this is a ladies room and people are trying to use it you should be outside" The tone of her voice was that of "you really should know better" I felt embarrassed and ashamed. Not only because of the other customers that had no clue what was going on but because the manager never thought to ask who she could help and instead made me feel in the wrong for being there in the first place. On the way out she told me I should know better for having my gram out in this COVID 19. As I mentioned my gram is 97 and im here primary care giver, I cant leave her by herself. For anyone to pass judgment on me is very unsettling, and for a member of management to do is unacceptable. The manager at the very least could have apologized and asked for clarification to get a better understanding of the situation. I have been a member since 2007. I've also been in the customer service filed for over 20 years so I know how to take care of people and I certainly would not assume to pass judgment. I may never go back to that location out of shear embarrassment. Shame of the two ladies that assumed me to be some bad guy, but more to the point shame on management for not asking more questions or showing empathy.
Sincerely
Eric Bilodeau
Member # [protected]
