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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Parkinson's sufferer told 'hurry up' by Stagecoach driver | Parkinson's sufferer told 'hurry up' by Stagecoach driver |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A man with Parkinson's said he was left "fuming" after the driver of a bus told him to "hurry up" while boarding. | A man with Parkinson's said he was left "fuming" after the driver of a bus told him to "hurry up" while boarding. |
| Sean Doyle believes the Stagecoach driver thought he was drunk because the disease makes his hands shake and his speech slurred. | Sean Doyle believes the Stagecoach driver thought he was drunk because the disease makes his hands shake and his speech slurred. |
| The 54-year-old was struggling to get his bus pass out when he claims the driver said: "I'm 15 minutes late here mate, I've got to go". | The 54-year-old was struggling to get his bus pass out when he claims the driver said: "I'm 15 minutes late here mate, I've got to go". |
| Stagecoach has apologised and is investigating. | Stagecoach has apologised and is investigating. |
| 'So embarrassed' | 'So embarrassed' |
| Mr Doyle was on his way home to Castle Hill Avenue in Folkestone after inquiring about getting a mobility scooter at a dealership. | Mr Doyle was on his way home to Castle Hill Avenue in Folkestone after inquiring about getting a mobility scooter at a dealership. |
| He said he "looked a mess" when he stepped on the bus as he was soaked from the rain and he was struggling to get his pass out of his pocket. | He said he "looked a mess" when he stepped on the bus as he was soaked from the rain and he was struggling to get his pass out of his pocket. |
| You might also be interested in: | You might also be interested in: |
| Parkinson's sufferer 'ejected over walk' | Parkinson's sufferer 'ejected over walk' |
| 'I'm not drunk, I've got Parkinson's' | 'I'm not drunk, I've got Parkinson's' |
| Why I get mistaken for being drunk | Why I get mistaken for being drunk |
| "I told [the driver] I have Parkinson's and he mumbled something I couldn't hear. Then he said 'come on, these passengers are all going to be late', like it was my fault," he said. | "I told [the driver] I have Parkinson's and he mumbled something I couldn't hear. Then he said 'come on, these passengers are all going to be late', like it was my fault," he said. |
| After being told twice to hurry up, he said he got off the bus and went straight to the station to complain, as he was "absolutely fuming". | After being told twice to hurry up, he said he got off the bus and went straight to the station to complain, as he was "absolutely fuming". |
| "The exchange didn't last much more then 30 seconds, but I was flustered which makes my condition worse. | "The exchange didn't last much more then 30 seconds, but I was flustered which makes my condition worse. |
| "One of the biggest things with the Parkinson's for me is the depression which comes with it. And I was so embarrassed by this. | "One of the biggest things with the Parkinson's for me is the depression which comes with it. And I was so embarrassed by this. |
| "I don't look obviously disabled, there just needs to be more awareness." | "I don't look obviously disabled, there just needs to be more awareness." |
| A spokesman for Stagecoach South East said: "We were concerned to hear of this incident and immediately launched an investigation. | A spokesman for Stagecoach South East said: "We were concerned to hear of this incident and immediately launched an investigation. |
| "We have spoken directly to the passenger to apologise and will take any action necessary." | "We have spoken directly to the passenger to apologise and will take any action necessary." |
| 'Many mistreated' | |
| Benali Hamdache, campaigns manager at Parkinson's UK, said: "We know that one in four people have had their Parkinson's confused for drunkenness. | |
| "There are simply too many cases where people are mistreated because of their condition." | |
| The charity has offered training to businesses and started a petition to call for more training. | |
| She added: "The lack of understanding of Parkinson's means that those living with it are all too often having to face distressing situations. | |
| "People with the condition can face daily challenges and negative reactions from people, who wrongly perceive some of the symptoms, making life harder." |