Just Right

Goldilocks was very tired, so she went upstairs to the bedroom. She lay down in the first bed, but it was too hard. Then she lay in the second bed, but it was too soft. Then she lay down in the third bed and it was just right. Goldilocks fell asleep.

Ashley and I went mattress shopping on Saturday. Since I adopted her at age 2, she has moved from a crib to a fully-enclosed hospital bed to a mattress on the floor and then finally to a real bed about 3 years ago. Not knowing if a real bed was going to be the answer, I didn’t invest in new bedding for her at that time. Rather, I moved my mattress and foundation to her room, and I purchased a new set for myself. Since the set I put in Ashley’s room is approximately 25 years old, and since she is doing just fine in a regular bed, I decided that it was time she had a better mattress.

Many stores had sales on mattresses this weekend, so we set out early Saturday morning for some comparison shopping. The first store we visited, a high end department store, did have some good prices on their mattresses, and they offered delivery and removal of the old set. However, when we walked in, the salesman couldn’t stop staring at Ashley. He seemed frightened of her and would step away if we got too close. He never addressed her, but did ask me if I would like to try lying on one of the mattresses. I told him no and we left.

The second store we visited was a store that sold only mattresses and foundations. Again, their prices were good, but delivery would cost extra. The salesman at this store didn’t seem frightened by Ashley, but he would only talk to me – asking “Would she like to try the bed? What size bed does she want?, etc.” I thanked him for his time, and we left this store also.

The third store we visited was also a store that sold only mattresses, foundations and other bedding related items. As soon as we walked in, the salesman asked how he could help. I put my hand on Ashley’s shoulder as she sat in her wheelchair, and said, “My daughter, Ashley, needs a new bed.” From that point on, the salesman spoke directly to Ashley. Even though I was interpreting with sign, he still spoke directly to her, asking “What size bed do you want? Would a mattress that is not so thick be easier for you to manage for getting in and out of bed?, etc.” He asked her if she would like to try out some of the beds, and proceeded to move the mattresses around so she could get her wheelchair right up to the bed, making it easier for her to try it out. She tried one, signed “no”, tried a second one, again signed “no”, and finally a third one and signed “yes, sleep.”

Although the prices at the third store were a little bit higher, where do you think I purchased her new mattress? And, it wasn’t because she signed “yes, sleep” after trying the mattresses.