Hi all,

Here’s some news that will get your blood boiling and your sugar levels low.

I decided to go to Chessington World of Adventures to have a ruddy good time and as usual, I went directly to the medical hut to sort out my disability bands for my diabetes; they allow me to go to the front of queues due to the risk of getting low blood sugars whilst waiting.

I was greeted by a disabled man (not sure what he had) and I explained my situation of being diabetic, handed him a note from the doctor clearly stating that it is a risk for me to wait in the queues and listened intently to what he had to say:

CWA Staff: “Is that the only disability you have?”

ME: “erm, yes, it IS the disability I have”

CWA Staff: “Well we only hand out the bands to people who find it difficult to wait in queues”

I was stunned. I simply said ok and left the hut. The story doesn’t get much better than this. Luckily I went back in with some guts and explained:

ME: “How is this acceptable? I pay £36 to enter Chessington to have a good time, not to constantly worry about my blood sugars. When I wait in a queue, my blood sugar levels lower; especially in the sun. I get to the ride and ignore my symptoms because I am excited about getting on and then have a hypo whilst on it.”

CWA Staff: “Well we will give you the band this time, but next time you need to bring a letter stating it’s difficult for you to wait in a queue”

Well hangon… Didn’t I just tell you it’s difficult you fool, and read the damn letter too, it explains it.

So anyway, I got the band but what a total waste of my time.

I guess what I want to try and say is that Chessington World of Adventurers is way off the mark when it comes to defining what a disability is.

Grr, James