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Mother blasts hospital after staff tells girl who got hit by boy he must have ‘liked her’

Mother blasts hospital after staff tells girl who got hit by boy he must have ‘liked her’

Sometimes the simplest phrase can spark a social media uproar.

“I bet he likes you,” were the five little words uttered by a Columbus, Ohio hospital worker to a four-year-old girl who had been hit in the face by a classmate so hard that she needed stitches.

The girl’s mom, Merritt Smith, was not too pleased with this comment, and took to Facebook to explain why his words were so damaging.

On October 6, Smith posted a photo of her daughter’s battered face and wrote:

‘"I bet he likes you.“
Dear man at the registration desk at Children’s hospital, l’m positive that you didn’t think that statement through. As soon as I heard it I knew that is where it begins. That statement is where the idea that hurting is flirting begins to set a tone for what is acceptable behaviour. My four year old knows "That’s not how we show we like someone. That was not a good choice.” In that moment, hurt and in a new place, worried about perhaps getting a shot or stitches you were a person we needed to help us and your words of comfort conveyed a message that someone who likes you might hurt you. No. I will not allow that message to be ok.’

Apparently Smith’s words hit a nerve, because her post has since been shared almost 35,000 times. Subsequent commenters share in her dismay at the thinking behind the words of this now infamous hospital worker from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“My biggest concern is that it shows her that violence means affection so it’s ok. I have to admit this confused me for years. Ever since Gilbert Blythe pulled Anne’s braids and said “carrots”. Women have to be taught that no matter what the intent, the behavior is not okay,” writes Facebook user Amy Davis.

Smith returned to comment on her own post in order to clarify that she wasn’t out for blood — only conversation.

“I want it to be understood that I value Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a tremendous asset and resource in our community,” she wrote.

“I do not mean to attack the hospital or get this man fired. He genuinely meant no harm. My intensity and intent is to change old scripts that do not serve us as adults and most certainly do not serve our children.”

Nationwide Children’s Hospital has responded to the public outcry with a Facebook post of its own, apologizing for the employee’s words and detailing plans to ensure the behaviour is not repeated:

“…Although we know the comment was made with no malicious intent, it is our wish to apologize and express to you that this is something we are taking seriously. This comment does not represent our philosophy as an institution.
Since Tuesday, October 6, we have reached out to the family, met with the employee and their management team, as well as our leadership in order to understand the situation and take measures to prevent this from happening again.”