Blind dad slams parents who ‘bullied’ him in front of son for taking guide dog to kids’ playground
A BLIND dad has slammed parents who “bullied” him in front of his son for taking his guide dog into a children’s playground. Former doctor Amit Patel says he was left devastated after the family were “challenged and stopped” from entering a play area in Bromley, South London, this morning. Does no dogs allowed mean […]
A BLIND dad has slammed parents who “bullied” him in front of his son for taking his guide dog into a children’s playground.
Former doctor Amit Patel says he was left devastated after the family were “challenged and stopped” from entering a play area in Bromley, South London, this morning.
Does no dogs allowed mean no Guide Dogs too? Most play areas explicitly say “except assistance dogs” but this one didn’t & I was challenged & stopped by some parents who said @Kika_GuideDog shouldn’t be in there. I had a very sad child, it shouldn’t be like this
#BlindDad pic.twitter.com/dqdor042TV
— Dr Amit Patel (@BlindDad_Uk) July 30, 2019
Dr Patel tweeted photos of the signs, warning of an £80 fine for dogs entering of the area but not referencing disabled access.
“Does no dogs allowed mean no Guide Dogs too?” he asked.
“Most play areas explicitly say “except assistance dogs” but this one didn’t & I was challenged & stopped by some parents who said @Kika_GuideDog shouldn’t be in there.
“I had a very sad child, it shouldn’t be like this”.
‘DISGRACEFUL’
He added: “It’s humiliating explaining to closed mined people why I have @Kika_GuideDog.
“Shame on those who felt justified to bully a blind person in front of their son (what en example you are to your own kids).
“I maybe blind but I know right from wrong!”
Dr Patel has documented his struggles in the capital ever since he started going blind three years ago, raising awareness to challenge stigma against disabled people.
Last year he revealed how he was reduced to tears when commuters refused to give up a seat for him in the designated disabled section.
Twitter users blasted the “disgraceful” behaviour.
Shame on those who felt justified to bully a blind person in front of their son (what en example you are to your own kids) I maybe blind but I know right from wrong!
Dr Amit Patel
Zeph wrote: “What is this?! It is bad enough that the signage doesn’t show assistance dog exemption, but for other parents to actually come over and prevent access is disgraceful.
“The ignorance is astounding. Hope you never need encounter this again. Just awful.”
Jonathan Attenbororugh added: “Really sorry to hear about this mate.
“I remember my GDMI [Guide Dog Mobility Instructor] telling me when I trained with my first guide dog that guide dogs are exempt from “no dog” policies at parks and play parks just as they are with shops and restaurants”.
COUNCIL REVIEW
Guidelines from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states that “dogs on children’s playgrounds represent a major health and injury hazard”.
But it adds: “Guide dogs for the visually impaired are generally excluded from this advice.”
Challenged by The Sun Online, Bromley Council said it would now review its signage.
A council spokesman said: “We are happy to clarify that assistance dogs are allowed in playgrounds across the borough, with these details published on our website.
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“The sign does not list the exclusions and small print that could be added and which are part of the legal order banning dogs more generally, with the broad message on the sign very clear.
“We have not encountered this type of problem before as park visitors virtually almost always recognise and know that assistance dogs are allowed, and naturally we will review the signage.
“Also, we have already contacted this parent, we would be happy to discuss further and understand more about the background of this incident.”
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