I'm going to post this as a warning to anyone in the El Paso area…read more..
On Friday, March 28 I went to the naturopath Dr. Ben-Joseph's office at the Health Naturally Store to pick up paperwork for mine and my autistic foster son's appointments. When we got there, I had the whole "don't touch, don't talk, don't play" discussion with my boys. They were good as gold. We went to the receptionist and my older -VERY WELL BEHAVED -sons said they needed to use the restroom so I sent them around the corner to use the restroom. I
am not one of those moms who thinks my kids are perfect... I was actually surprised that in this case, they were exceptional.
Moments later, Sandy Ben-Joseph (the wife) came into the waiting room upset and said that "someone" needed to be supervising those children. I told her they were just going to the restroom. I had not heard a peep from them. She seemed very agitated by our ASD foster who was spinning, laughing and clapping but NOT touching or near anything fragile or bothering anyone as there were no other patients in the waiting room. She huffed off to the back of the store where the
restrooms were located.
Moments later she reappears very angry giving me and my foster son rude looks and says, "two boys have locked themselves in the same bathroom and we cant have that. Someone needs to do something now!" At this point I have it and I'm thinking to myself, "seriously lady?!?!?!? Of course they went in together, that's our rule in public and how would you know the door was locked unless you tried to open it!!!?!?!"
I had to leave my stuff sitting on the receptionist desk, gather my autistic foster son who does not do well with sudden transitions and head to the back to "supervise" a locked door. My kids were being quiet and were not fussing or fighting. They washed their hands, turned off the lights and we went back to the front. Talk about transitioning when you have one that doesn't transition well. I was now doing all I could keep him from becoming agitated.
Then, Sandy Ben-Joseph came out AGAIN when my little one was whining (hello..after having to transition in a hurry like that for NOTHING) and she speaks to the poor receptionist as though I'm not present and says, "tell HER, when she comes for her appointment, the doctor will only need to see THE CHILD for a few minutes so she needs to bring someone with her to take the child away for the rest of the appointment"....
Oh you have got to be kidding me. First, I'm right here!!!!! And you don't need to talk about this beautiful child with so much contempt and disdain. And furthermore, I'm not a total idiot, of course I was going to bring someone with me. At this point I was considering canceling my appointment. What a wretched person. I didn't even know it was his wife yet. I'm sorry to say that I looked at the receptionist after she walked out again and said, "what is her problem?? why is she being such a b?" The poor receptionist looked terrified of her as well as the guy that worked in the store.
I was so upset, when I got to the car, I was literally shaking. I have never been treated like that by someone who is supposed to be a "professional". It took 15 minutes before I could calm down enough to drive. My kids said, "mommy? weren't we good in there?" I had to reassure them, "Yes, you were VERY good! Its not your fault that is a hateful, hateful woman who obviously hates children!"
I had decided not to cancel my appointment and didn't share this story with anyone.. I was just going to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she was having a bad day. Then, to take the cake, I get a phone call today from the poor, sweet receptionist telling me that Sandy Ben-Joseph overheard what I said about her (Yea I lost my temper by the third encounter and quietly called her a B) and now she and Dr. Ben-Joseph are angry and refuse to see us for an appointment unless I come apologize and oh.. IF I do, make sure I don't bring the kids and make sure someone comes with me for his appointment so they leave with him after the doctor sees him for a few minutes.
I was so angry! I told the receptionist that they owed ME and my children an apology after the way that Sandy Ben-Joseph treated us and that rather than pay them almost $600 I would rather tell everyone I know what horrible people they are and that they very obviously do NOT care about children..in fact..it seemed like they HATED children. So there you have it. I was wondering whether they were any good and the answer is NO. I mentioned the entire thing to our behavioral therapist today and she said "oh no! Don't go to him! They are horrible snotty people! I went to them once and will never go back!" Funny... I have heard this response from tens if not hundreds of people tonight as I post this in every group that I belong to in order to warn people away from being treated the way that his wife treated my family.
I hope this review saves another family from their arrogance!