Your Views Please.

[ALAN FROST]

Our son age 9 has Type 1 He goes to swimming lessons and whilst he is in the large pool at the local leisure centre his mum is teaching in the small pool at the same time, Due to my illness at the moment i can not attend with them so because our son has to wait for mum to finish her teaching lessons he takes a packed lunch to keep him going. The local leisure centre has a small cafe area run independently a few weeks ago our son sat in the cafe area purchased a drink and sat and had his packed lunch he was asked to leave because he had not purchased the food from there, we explained the situation and was advised by the leisure centre he could sit to eat his food. This week he went to sit down again in a almost empty cafe area and was told to move, go stand by the exit area of the leisure centre where the doors are constantly opening, apparently the operator of the Cafe has also put up signs saying no food other than theres is allowed. Any Views please Thank You Alan

 

[Matt Cycle]

Hi Alan. It does seem rather churlish of them particularly as he purchased a drink the first time and the cafe was almost empty anyway. You often see these signs in premises. I'm not sure of the legal technicalities but I assume as it's independent of the leisure centre they can do what they like. Perhaps worth a call to the local rag?

 

[Amigo]

Our son age 9 has Type 1 He goes to swimming lessons and whilst he is in the large pool at the local leisure centre his mum is teaching in the small pool at the same time, Due to my illness at the moment i can not attend with them so because our son has to wait for mum to finish her teaching lessons he takes a packed lunch to keep him going. The local leisure centre has a small cafe area run independently a few weeks ago our son sat in the cafe area purchased a drink and sat and had his packed lunch he was asked to leave because he had not purchased the food from there, we explained the situation and was advised by the leisure centre he could sit to eat his food. This week he went to sit down again in a almost empty cafe area and was told to move, go stand by the exit area of the leisure centre where the doors are constantly opening, apparently the operator of the Cafe has also put up signs saying no food other than theres is allowed. Any Views please Thank You Alan

If you wife works there teaching Alan, isn’t there a staff room he could sit in and wait for her and eat his lunch?

Unfortunately, with the Centre cafe being independently owned, the leisure centre owners won’t be able to insist that he’s allowed to use it with his packed lunch. They’re being very mean however!
Could he buy something from the cafe or is calculating the carbs the issue? Ask the cafe owner for a list of the carb content of his food. That will focus his mean spirited mind!

 

[Robin]

As the leisure centre has said its OK for him to sit and eat there, (and especially as his Mum is teaching for the centre),have the centre actually spoken to the cafe owner? Maybe worth finding out, and asking that they do communicate with each other and decide once and for all whether or not your son is allowed.

 

[Davein]

Our son age 9 has Type 1 He goes to swimming lessons and whilst he is in the large pool at the local leisure centre his mum is teaching in the small pool at the same time, Due to my illness at the moment i can not attend with them so because our son has to wait for mum to finish her teaching lessons he takes a packed lunch to keep him going. The local leisure centre has a small cafe area run independently a few weeks ago our son sat in the cafe area purchased a drink and sat and had his packed lunch he was asked to leave because he had not purchased the food from there, we explained the situation and was advised by the leisure centre he could sit to eat his food. This week he went to sit down again in a almost empty cafe area and was told to move, go stand by the exit area of the leisure centre where the doors are constantly opening, apparently the operator of the Cafe has also put up signs saying no food other than theres is allowed. Any Views please Thank You Alan

The leisure centres are usually owned by the local council but more and more are letting them out for tender so I assume a private operator is running your one and therefore have discretion on who they allow in. Morally, they should allow him to eat the food he brings if it is food that is part of his T1 diet and not obtainable at the café. But they are there to make money from paying customers to stay in business. If the council do own the premises you could appeal to their better nature. It could not have been very pleasant for him to be singled out and embarrassed in such a way.Do they serve any meal/sandwiches that would be suitable for him or are they an extortionate price?

 

[trophywench]

I'd go with the ask for a carb count of everything specifically so your son CAN choose something from them. Thus you are being more than reasonable with them - so if they can't provide what you request then THEY are being unreasonable - and discriminating against a disabled minor. I never play the disability card as a rule (I hate it!) but when it suits to do so - let's do it, Alan.

 

[spiritfree]

I'd go with the ask for a carb count of everything specifically so your son CAN choose something from them. Thus you are being more than reasonable with them - so if they can't provide what you request then THEY are being unreasonable - and discriminating against a disabled minor. I never play the disability card as a rule (I hate it!) but when it suits to do so - let's do it, Alan.

Great answer Trophywench. Nicely said.

 

[trophywench]

I'm the woman who got her gas connected to her new house in January 1999 the very next day after her husband rang Transco to do it and they said there was a 3 week waiting list - solely because her husband said Oh dear - my wife's disabled, that's why we're having to move to a bungalow .......

Never used before and never used since - and I still don't agree with what he did, I'd have gone potty if I'd been there at the time! However ......

 

[Davein]

I'm the woman who got her gas connected to her new house in January 1999 the very next day after her husband rang Transco to do it and they said there was a 3 week waiting list - solely because her husband said Oh dear - my wife's disabled, that's why we're having to move to a bungalow .......

Never used before and never used since - and I still don't agree with what he did, I'd have gone potty if I'd been there at the time! However ......

I'm with Mr Trophywench on this. There are very few advantages of being disabled or old and infirm but it does get you to top of the list, if you are vulnerable, with many service suppliers. Are you then saying that you shouldn't have free meds because abled people have to pay prescription charges. Ironically you don't usually get pushed to the top of NHS waiting lists because we're are all in the same boat.
Perhaps I'm interpreting your message wrong and it's just that you don't like being referred to as disabled?

 

[mikeyB]

Indeed, Davein. I always register as disabled with the service companies. Here, it means if the weather interrupts service with lines down, I’m on the list for getting a generator. Nothing to do with diabetes, mind, though diabetes is a disability in employment terms.

 

[trophywench]

Well I've never really understood why we get ALL prescriptions FOC, Dave.

GP told me it's because 'nobody knows' what was caused or made worse, purely because a person has diabetes. I could see the connection with UTIs - Yes! Also with Hypothyroidism. Elevated BP - could be I spose.

But PMT? Emphysema? - isn't the latter much more likely to be more connected to the fact I've smoked for over 50 years? Intermittent claudication is another one similar to my emphysema I'd say at a rough guess.

Because of the latter I'm entitled to NHS Podiatry - but they have no interest whatever really in my feet other than insisting I absolutely must NEVER cut my own toenails - why? I have full 'feeling' in my tootsies (other than exactly half one of my big toes that I dropped the grill pan on the nailbed of some years ago, and if they touch it with a monofilament I can still feel it, just not as well as the rest of my feet and toes. Neither the cardiac nurse who has been assigned to my hardening arteries once a year for 15 minutes, nor Podiatry nor any doctor at all, ever checks my groin and ankle pulses, having done it when I presented with it originally and the very first time I went to Podiatry. GP Nurse does do my ankle pulses when she annually tickles my toes to tick the 'Diabetes' box. Sometimes can't find it!

I'm above the magic retirement age now - but I worked full time throughout my working life and though never earned a fortune - yes - I could have paid for my prescriptions if I'd needed to. Of course I would - my health is more important than fags ! - if the choice were 'insulin or nicotine' then I daresay the insulin would have won - but I know very well I'm just lazy and won't challenge myself I spose, always being discouraged to do so from childhood.

I fully expect it's also what has made me so bloody-minded about certain things in life - I'll be buggered if I'll do something I am not that keen on, now I'm free to make my own decisions - when the only person I'm going to spite is meself ! I know that, I know it well - and it doesn't help at all!

 

[Davein]

Well I've never really understood why we get ALL prescriptions FOC, Dave.

GP told me it's because 'nobody knows' what was caused or made worse, purely because a person has diabetes. I could see the connection with UTIs - Yes! Also with Hypothyroidism. Elevated BP - could be I spose.

But PMT? Emphysema? - isn't the latter much more likely to be more connected to the fact I've smoked for over 50 years? Intermittent claudication is another one similar to my emphysema I'd say at a rough guess.

Because of the latter I'm entitled to NHS Podiatry - but they have no interest whatever really in my feet other than insisting I absolutely must NEVER cut my own toenails - why? I have full 'feeling' in my tootsies (other than exactly half one of my big toes that I dropped the grill pan on the nailbed of some years ago, and if they touch it with a monofilament I can still feel it, just not as well as the rest of my feet and toes. Neither the cardiac nurse who has been assigned to my hardening arteries once a year for 15 minutes, nor Podiatry nor any doctor at all, ever checks my groin and ankle pulses, having done it when I presented with it originally and the very first time I went to Podiatry. GP Nurse does do my ankle pulses when she annually tickles my toes to tick the 'Diabetes' box. Sometimes can't find it!

I'm above the magic retirement age now - but I worked full time throughout my working life and though never earned a fortune - yes - I could have paid for my prescriptions if I'd needed to. Of course I would - my health is more important than fags ! - if the choice were 'insulin or nicotine' then I daresay the insulin would have won - but I know very well I'm just lazy and won't challenge myself I spose, always being discouraged to do so from childhood.

I fully expect it's also what has made me so bloody-minded about certain things in life - I'll be buggered if I'll do something I am not that keen on, now I'm free to make my own decisions - when the only person I'm going to spite is meself ! I know that, I know it well - and it doesn't help at all!

Can you honestly tell me you can reach your toes🙂let alone cut them safely🙂 I think they tell you not to because one slip could lead to amputation .I remember when my son was diagnosed 30 years ago free syringes and presumably meds, were given after a campaign by Diabetes UK and others after the powers that be started giving drug addicts free meds. So I wonder how much tax you paid on the cigs over the years, let alone employment taxes. Or for that matter VAT on nearly everything you purchase. Or general taxes.You have been unfortunate to contract various illnesses throughout your life but still kept working. You've paid your dues to society and continue to do so- why shouldn't it repay you for your ill-health by at least giving you free meds and the means to make your treatments as easy as possible. I went 59 years without significant health problems and using NHS but I willingly paid my dues for that privilege. So you're worked all your life probably kept the household running and no doubt bought up your children: no I don't consider you lazy.
And good on Mr TW for using his initiative🙂🙂🙂🙂

 

[trophywench]

No kids, just 2 stepdaughters 7 grandkids and 3 Great grandkids to date, as the youngest grandchild is only 6, plenty of scope for more to come ..... I foolishly re-married a chap with 2 daughters and 3 grandkids - and look what's happened since.

Strikes me Dave, it's a good job I have these good occupational pensions too - and therefore still pay Income Tax! - otherwise we'd never afford Xmas! LOL

 

[Davein]

No kids, just 2 stepdaughters 7 grandkids and 3 Great grandkids to date, as the youngest grandchild is only 6, plenty of scope for more to come ..... I foolishly re-married a chap with 2 daughters and 3 grandkids - and look what's happened since.

Strikes me Dave, it's a good job I have these good occupational pensions too - and therefore still pay Income Tax! - otherwise we'd never afford Xmas! LOL

So you didn't even marry him for his money then