I dunno, maybe I am just intoxicated but I started laughing at your post Cream. You know I think you are great . . but it just stuck me as funny.
Ok ok ok. Your sister has allergies and asthma and dogs trigger her asthma attacks? Your mom is likewise allergic to dogs? She carries an Epi pen for dogs? ITs unusual to have anaphylactic reactions to that . . . is she more allergic to something other than animal dander?
Anyway, this is what I would have said to the cousins: Its very important that you attend, we need you to be there. I am seriosuly allergic to animal dander, and my mom can have really serious reactions so tell me what i can do to make sure you are comfortable and we are safe. Anything you need I'll make sure you have.
That way the onus would have been on them to make sure the dogs didn't bother you.
As for the rest of it. I would just confront his parents and blow up at them. Its their responsibility to deal with their side of the family. If people are not coming, its their fault. If people think your sister is an idiot its their fault.
If I were her I would call them up in a rage and tell them about her allergies and her mom's allergies and emphasize that they were invited and that its her fucking wedding anyway.. . . its like being allergic to pollen and inviting flowers.
Its like being allergic to shellfish and serving shrimp because the in-laws like it.
Its just moronic . . .
Although, your sister could have been more clever in dealing with it.
Quote:
Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
OK so here's the situation. My sister is getting married on Saturday. Her fiancé's cousin was invited along with his wife; both are blind and use seeing eye dogs. Before they responded to the invitation, they called and asked if they could bring their dogs. My sister is asthmatic and highly allergic to dogs and cats. She carries an inhaler in case she has an attack. My mother is the same, and also carries an epi-pen for her allergies. Compared to them I am mildly allergic, and I only carry Benadryl just in case.
So after careful consideration and discussion, my sister said that she would love for them to attend, but without their dogs. This is not an option for them so they declined their invitation. So now the family gossip is that she hates blind people. People who had previously accepted their invitations have now declined as a sign of solidarity. They are also saying that she doesn't really have allergies. She just doesn't want blind people and/or dogs at her wedding. In fact, allergies aren't real; they are just in the person's head. They also said that she would go get shots to get rid of her allergies if she really wanted the couple there. She did that for three years before the doctor told her it was useless for her to continue since she wasn't improving.
This has become a real problem for her and the groom's family. It is causing a rift. They don't even know her, and they have decided she is a liar who hates blind people and dogs. When she asked me what I thought before I heard about all the family gossip, I told her that she can't have something at her wedding that will make her ill. I still feel that way. I'm just disgusted that people who don't even know her have judged and misjudged her so harshly.
I'm venting here, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or advice. I generally don't give a crap what people think, but my sister does. I think that she did the best that she could do under the circumstances. She doesn't want to start her marriage by alienating and offending his family. The groom's parents said that they are fine with it, but if they really were, they wouldn't have brought this issue up at the rehearsal dinner tonight. Any advice?
|