Buggy with restraints not being acknowledged

briancharles5612

had a few problems when away this week with companies recognising my boys buggy with restraints in the same category as a wheelchair. He is in it because unless he is in an enclosed area like a home or secure soft play it is not safe for him to not be in it. Especially when travelling.

I booked passenger assist and no problems on Newark, but got on the northern train and when someone came in with a wheelchair the guy tried to kick us out. He said can’t you get your kid out of there to which I explained I had booked this space because it is not safe for my child to be out. He even didn’t question a mother who had a toddler in a seat she hadn’t Booked. Only my child was seen as not disabled enough. He continually looked at me throughout and gave the wheelchair user sympathetic glances.

And when in the northwest my son is shoved in a corner in between the side of the trams that the doors don’t open on whilst two older customers stood in the disabled area chatting.

What are others thoughts here? Am I being too harsh? It does seem more of a problem in certain parts of the country and haven’t had a single with younger members of staff. Just seems like neurodivergent needs aren’t taken seriously.

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @briancharles5612, I'm sorry that your question has gone unresponded to. I hope you and your son are doing well and haven't had anymore issues on trains.

As an adult with ADHD, and having quite a few friends who are neurodiverse in many different ways, I do think it can be difficult sometimes to get people to… understand? I do think it's something that younger people tend to be more knowledgeable on, which you seem to mention. Having an invisible disability can be quite difficult when many people have a very specific idea in their head of what disabled people are "supposed to look like". I also have crohn's, which you couldn't tell just by looking at me. I can get anxious when using disabled toilets sometimes, as I've had a remark once or twice in the past about whether I "should really be using that".

It can be quite… demeaning I suppose can't it?

I hope you are doing well though and have managed to avoid any further issues. Let us know, and if there have been any other experiences like that feel free to vent and share with us.