Watching my team is like the engine in a motorbike
NAME: Marek Mizera COUNTRY: P...
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Red Cross Come To The Rescue!
4 November 2010
Myself (in the picture) and my friend Keith travelled up to Aberdeen on Saturday 16th October for the match against Heart of Midlothian. The journey was disrupted by major traffic problems and we finally arrived at the away disabled section at five past three both very hungry and thirsty as unable to stop for lunch.
I am a wheelchair user and Keith, my PA for the day is a bilateral amputee. The wheelchair section is right at the front of the away stand whereas the refreshment kiosks are right at the back some 50 steps up making it impossible for Allan or me to get there.
However access to a refreshment kiosk in one of the home stand is only a matter of yards away so we asked a steward if Keith could go there. She replied "no I must not cross a black line next to the wheelchair area". We ask her if she will go with Keith or arrange for someone to help however she replies "she is not allowed to leave her spot".
We spot about a dozen stewards and police a few yards away and try to attract their attention. We reckon if one of the policemen goes with Keith to and from the accessible refreshment area all should be ok. Too late the police move away however we attract the attention of the stewarding supervisor who says “no not allowed and I don't have enough resource" (even though five stewards were standing beside him!).
During these conversations we were spotted by Marie McGowan (in the picture) who was on duty for the Red Cross. Marie put two and two together, came over, took our order, money and returned two minutes later with our refreshments. Thanks to Marie for helping us out and a note to Aberdeen F.C., the stewards were only doing their job however the club should look to resolve this problem in the future.The best option would to add an accessible kiosk in the away section with the alternative of setting up a dedicated match day service to assist disabled away fans.