Harrison Figg in the wheelchair he was in when his mother took him to the theme park. Photo / Mercury Press
Harrison Figg in the wheelchair he was in when his mother took him to the theme park. Photo / Mercury Press
A furious mother has hit out at theme park staff after accusing them of demanding she proved her blind, wheelchair-bound toddler was disabled to get free entry.
Sophie Figg was visiting Gulliver's Land in the UK's Milton Keynes on Wednesday when she faced a 70-minute wait outside the gates while staff disputed the height of her three-year-old son.
The 24-year-old mother claims the employee asked her to prove Harrison was disabled, despite the youngster being in a wheelchair.
A spokesman for the family theme park said it was a misunderstanding and disputed that staff asked Harrison was held up to be measured.
The little boy has a congenital condition that means part of his brain is misformed.
Miss Figg said she is so incensed by her son's treatment she has set up an online petition calling bosses to review their accessibility policy.
Harrison with his nan, Jean. Photo / Mercury Press
The part-time hairdresser said: "I feel appalled. Harrison had just as much right to be there than anyone else.
"They treated him like he was a shell, not a person. Harrison and my niece should have got in free because they were under 90cm, however a young female staff member insisted that he must be measured. I told her he can't hold any weight in his legs but she still insisted."
Miss Figg said: "He's actually short for his age and has to have growth hormone injections."
"He's clearly under 90cm. She then said 'prove he's disabled'. I think she meant by showing a disabled badge.
"I know not all people with disabilities are in a wheelchair but it's common sense to see that if someone is in one, then they are disabled. He's also on a feeding tube for 21 hours a day.
"The staff member said 'you're not coming in'. She kept going backwards and forwards to her manager asking him what to do."
It was only after 45 minutes that Miss Figg claims the manager came out to speak with the group, which included her sister and a friend, but denied them a refund.
Harrison with Sophie's friend, Emily, on a train ride at Gullivers Land. Photo / Mercury Press
The mother-of-one claims a manager said both children, referrring to her niece, were over the 90cm height limit. "She's actually at least 10cm under that or we would have paid for her.
"We asked the manager for a refund and we would leave, but he laughed and walked off."
Harrison has Septo Optic Dysplasia along with other undiagnosed conditions.
This means the septum in his brain is missing, his optic nerve is damaged so he is blind and has dysplasia (an abnormality in development). He'll always be dependent on a wheelchair and unable to walk.
"In the end, I had to pin Harrison against the wall myself to prove he was under 90cm.
"I would have happily walked away if they'd have given us a refund for my sister's and friend's tickets but they refused."
After a concerned member of the public stood behind the group witnessed what had allegedly taken place at the theme park, they called the head office to file a formal complaint.
Miss Figg said the area manager later let her in for free but her sister and friend still had to pay. She has now set up a petition calling for the park to review their staff training on disability.
Harrison's mother has set up a petition page for her son. Photo / Mercury Press
In February, Gulliver's Land came under criticism for allegedly refusing to allow the mother of a disabled girl free entry, despite most attractions offering this to carers under the Equality Act 2010.
A spokesperson Gulliver's Land said: "Having spoken at length with various members of staff who witnessed the exchange between Sophie and our admissions staff and the subsequent exchange between Sophie and our management staff we do not believe that the full circumstances have been made clear.
"We understand that when Sophie requested an adult ticket and 1 child under 90cm the admission staff who were unaware of Harrison's disabilities, asked if Sophie could measure Harrison. When the staff were made aware of Harrison's disability they did not request that he be measured.
"Sophie and her party left the admission gate and approached a manager who was dealing with another party at the time. This manager was not made aware of Harrison's disabilities, he was told only that the admission staff did not agree that Harrison was under 90cm.
When our manager tried to deal with Sophie and address her complaint members of the party became verbally abusive making personal comments and insults.
"It is our belief that all staff working in any service industry have the right to work without fear of verbal abuse and as an employer we do not expect any member of staff to engage in abusive situations with members of the public.
"When Sophie's party had calmed down, another member of management was able to address the situation and Sophie and her party entered the park.
A spokesman said Miss Figg had been invited to theme park to discuss her experience. He said: "As a family business, Gulliver's are committed to promoting family togetherness, wholesome fun and equality for each member of every family.
"We have a long and proud history of catering to guests with disabilities, we are constantly looking at new ways to make our guest's experiences even better and we are always happy to listen to feedback."
The spokesman added: 'We would not knowingly ask a guest who is unable to stand to do so. By verifying the height of our guests at the point of entry makes for a safe and convenient guest journey at the onward rides within the theme park.
"As a previous visitor and ex-employee, we trust that Sophie is familiar with Gulliver's commitment to equality. Our staff offered courtesy and respect towards her as always, although when approached with offensive and abusive language being used by other members within Sophie's party, our team were afforded little opportunity to handle their entry effectively."
