This is Controversial!

[TexasStooge]

Disabled brothers 'forced to crawl'

MELBOURNE, Australia (AAP) - Two brothers with muscular dystrophy were made to crawl to their car after security guards at a Melbourne shopping centre refused to let them take wheelchairs through the front entrance, their sister said today.

Sandra Costa said her brothers, aged in their 40s, were in tears after security at Westfield's Fountain Gate shopping centre, in Melbourne's south-east, forced them to discard the borrowed wheelchairs at the entrance.

She said she was told it was policy not to allow the centre's wheelchairs out of the complex but bollards prevented vehicles getting up to the entrance.

"It was only probably about three metres to get the chairs out but the security guard wouldn't allow us to bring them out," she told Southern Cross radio.

"So one of my brothers had to get down and crawl to the car ... the other one half-crawled; I picked him up but it's really hard to get them in the car because they're big guys.

"One of my brothers was crying and swearing in the car (on the way home) to be honest and he said he's never going back there again.

"It was really humiliating to see them just crawl to the car." Ms. Costa said her brothers just wanted to be treated as human beings.

"I just think they (Fountain Gate management) should have a bit of dignity and compassion and change the rule," she said.

Westfield issued a statement apologising for the incident, saying the guidelines for use of wheelchairs at its centres would be reviewed immediately.

"The company is investigating the incident, which appears to have arisen over the interpretation by staff of guidelines governing the safe use of wheelchairs and other equipment provided to shoppers outside the centre," the shopping giant said.

"The company deeply regrets the embarrassment and indignity suffered by the two shoppers and their family and will seek to meet with them privately to apologise and explain the steps taken to avoid this or similar incidents occurring again."

The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Australia (MDA) said similar incidents were reasonably common about 15 years ago.

"(But) as an organisation we haven't received notification of this kind of complaint for a long time," executive director Boris Struk said.

He shared Ms Costa's disappointment and said commonsense should have prevailed.

"Whether it's a strict policy or someone overstepped the mark, people should be a bit more compassionate and caring about two individuals who needed assistance to traverse three metres with a wheelchair," he said.

"What are they going to do – run away with it?"

[HurryKane]

Uh. How did they get to the store from their vehicle, if they didn't have a way to get back from the store to their vehicle?

[Tstormwatcher]

I smell a lawsuit.

[Astro_man92]

"The company is investigating the incident, which appears to have arisen over the interpretation by staff of guidelines governing the safe use of wheelchairs and other equipment provided to shoppers outside the centre," the shopping giant said.

"The company deeply regrets the embarrassment and indignity suffered by the two shoppers and their family and will seek to meet with them privately to apologise and explain the steps taken to avoid this or similar incidents occurring again."

Honestly, somehow I doubt that. If those security guards had a heart in them and they really did have to take away the wheel chairs they could have at least help them back to their car.

Uh. How did they get to the store from their vehicle, if they didn't have a way to get back from the store to their vehicle?

Now that you mention it I'm kindo of wondering that to. I don't doubt that they where disabled, but how did they?

I smell a lawsuit.

I think I see one around the bend

[vbhoutex]

Uh. How did they get to the store from their vehicle, if they didn't have a way to get back from the store to their vehicle?

first thing that popped into my mind!!!

[arkess7]

aawwwwww ......mean people!

[gtalum]

I smell a lawsuit.

If they were in the US, they'd be millionaires by now.

[Aslkahuna]

If they were in the US, the store would be in very deep trouble with the Feds right now (ADA).

Steve

[TexasStooge]

(As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people.

[wxcrazytwo]

(As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people.

[Skywatch_NC]

(As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people.

And that's amusing in what way?

[wxcrazytwo]

(As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people.

And that's amusing in what way?

Eric, Eric, Eric, you just don't get it do ya.

[Skywatch_NC]

(As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people.

And that's amusing in what way?

Eric, Eric, Eric, you just don't get it do ya.

Alex, by now we know how 'transparent' you are.

[wxcrazytwo]

(As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people.

And that's amusing in what way?

Eric, Eric, Eric, you just don't get it do ya.

Alex, by now we know how 'transparent' you are.

HAHAHA, LOL, Now, now that is not Christianlike is it?

[Skywatch_NC]

(As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people.

And that's amusing in what way?

Eric, Eric, Eric, you just don't get it do ya.

Alex, by now we know how 'transparent' you are.

HAHAHA, LOL, Now, now that is not Christianlike is it?

This topic has nothing to do with religion...nice try on the 'spin' though.

[wxcrazytwo]

(As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people.

And that's amusing in what way?

Eric, Eric, Eric, you just don't get it do ya.

Alex, by now we know how 'transparent' you are.

HAHAHA, LOL, Now, now that is not Christianlike is it?

This topic has nothing to do with religion...nice try on the 'spin' though.

[wxcrazytwo]

OKAY FOR THE RECORD. I WAS NOT LAUGHING AT THE TWO HANDICAP BROTHERS. THAT WAS RIDICULOUS TO MAKE THEM DO WHAT THE SECURITY GUARDS DID. I WAS LAUGHING AT STOOGES KANYE WEST EXAMPLE OF

QUOTE:
" (As Kanye West) The management and staff of the Melbourne Mall don't care about handicapped people."

[O Town]

Still want to know how they got in the store????

[MiamiensisWx]

HAHAHA, LOL, Now, now that is not Christianlike is it?

Are we being an instigator, my friend?

[wxcrazytwo]

HAHAHA, LOL, Now, now that is not Christianlike is it?

Are we being an instigator, my friend?

My name is not Pat Robertson.