AITA: Internet backs woman who refused to give her hard-earned Taylor Swift cardigan to disabled girl

A high school junior woman, who is also a "die hard Swiftie", recently took to Reddit’s 'Am I The A**hole' (AITA) forum to share how she was unfairly treated for not giving up her hard-earned Taylor Swift cardigan to a disabled girl.

The original poster (OP), who is part of her school's cheer team, shared how the mother of the girl with Down syndrome called her an "ableist," and complained to her cheer coach, who in turn asked the woman to "give up my cardigan and apologize", per Someecards.

Woman refuses to give up Taylor Swift cardigan she worked 'hard' for

Taking to Reddit’s 'Am I The A**hole' (AITA) forum, the woman addressed the backstory by writing: "I (Female, High school Junior), am a part of my schools cheer team, Stu Co, and peer mentor (mentoring disabled kids) program. (I also have a job at a cafe). As embarrassing as it is, I'm also a die hard swiftie and have been since 2016."

The OP added that her coach allowed a girl with Down syndrome to participate in their cheer squad's sidelines. "As a member of all those programs I am required to dress up for spirit weeks," she wrote.

Coming to the main story, the OP shared: "The day was ugly sweater day (thursday), I didn't own an ugly sweater. However, I own the Speak Now cardigan, by no means is it ugly, BUT its very "out there" (its bright purple)."

She said the Stu Co and Cheer Instagram page featured a photo of her wearing it. The OP noted that she "worked long hours in summer 2023 before the cardigan came out," and she purchased it at the end of the summer.

"This cardigan, as stupid as it sounds, was my first real big purchase and I was pretty proud of myself. Anyways, the girl with down syndrome is also a Swiftie and saw my posts on Instagram," the OP said.

The OP wrote that the mother of the disabled girl "saw that I thought my T.S Cardigan was ugly so she DMed me and asked if id be willing to give it to her daughter."

However, the OP explained that she "respectfully declined" the mother's request, telling her that the cardigan was just very out of style, not ugly.

"Again, I was respectful. Her mom replied telling me that I can just buy another one and called me ableist," the OP emphasized.

She explained, "I kindly told her the story of how hard I worked for it. Also, I couldn't have bought another one, the restock was over and eBay is too expensive and out of budget."

Cheer coach asks OP to give up her 'cardigan and apologize'

The OP went on to explain how her cheer coach "texted me to tell me how rude I am and how I need to give up my cardigan and apologize" the next day, Friday.

She noted, "I sent her screenshots of the DMs and told her the sentiment and meaning behind the cardigan. She gave me a speech about how its my duty as a cheerleader to do this and how "I lead the school" and stuff."

The OP noted that her parents supported her after she showed them everything. They questioned why this mother could not simply buy her child a cardigan "instead of taking mine and making me buy a used one."

"I wondered the same thing but I couldn't say that because I can't be rude," the OP added.

The OP wrapped up her post by noting that she noticed she had been kicked out of the pure mentor program completely when she went to check her math grade on Saturday.

"My dad called the school and got no response. We have Monday off today and no one will respond to me or my family so, What do i do? And, AITA?" the OP asked.

Redditors declare OP is 'NTA' for not wanting to give away her things

The OP received a wave of support from the online community, with many stating that she did the right thing by not giving up her hard-earned favorite cardigan.

One Redditor commented, "NTA. You don’t have to justify not wanting to give away your things. That was incredibly inappropriate of her mother. Make sure you fight this because they’re coming for your college future. Those cardigans are often sold out. That’s not your fault or your problem."

A second one added in part, "You are NTA. However, you don’t do anything. You let your parents handle this. This is a bunch of adults b-llying a child to try and steal a literal piece of clothing off her back— that child being you— and you need your parents to step in and advocate for you. Your parents need to go to the school in person and speak with the headmaster/principal. Take a deep breath. This, too, shall pass."

"Lawyer up!! This is ridiculous. Tell your parents to fight this one!" suggested a third user.

Another wrote, "NTA. Parents need to schedule a conference with the Superintendent or principal and bring those screen shots. Cheer coach has NO standing at all to put that guilt trip on you. She can just as easily buy one for this girl. The Mom is ridiculous based on your post."

One remarked, "As a disabled person we should have the goal of parity of opportunities... Our disabilities don't make us entitled to possessions or special treatment because we're disabled- they aren't some sort of blanket pass to get everything we desire or way to cause people to feel guilty."

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