Furious mum slams play centre she claims turned away Down’s Syndrome son
Simone Blount has said she was told her three-year-old son, Stephen, who uses a wheelchair, was 'unsuitable' for Mattel Play Liverpool
AN OUTRAGED mum has claimed pay centre staff turned away her Down's Syndrome son because it was 'unsuitable for a child like him'.
Simone Blount, 37, from Widnes, Cheshire, had hoped to take her three-year-old son Stephen to meet Fireman Sam at the Mattel Play Liverpool centre as a bank holiday treat on August 31.
But the mum-of-four claims the day was ruined when a staff member allegedly told her Stephen, who uses a wheelchair, would not be suited to the facility.
But bosses at Mattel Play, which states on its website it provides 'full access for disabled visitors', denied the claim and said the staff member mistook Stephen for a baby in a push chair.
Simone, who is a full time carer for Stephen, said: "We got to the front of the queue and the girl looked over and said 'it was unsuitable for children like him'.
"We were embarrassed, there were a lot of people there and I didn't want to be shouting and looking like the crazy lady at the front of the queue.
"My boy is obsessed with Fireman Sam, we watch it all the time and Stephen is no different to other kids, he was really excited.
"He was crying because he thought he was going to play.
"I told him the place was closing, he doesn't understand what happened but I understand what happened."
Simone claims after turning Stephen away, the staff member offered to give her a tour of the play area to demonstrate why it was not suitable for him.
The mum-of-four said at the time of the incident Stephen, who has required eight major operations since birth, was in his wheelchair with an oxygen tank fitted to it.
The tot, who has a heart condition and chronic lung disease, attends a specialist school in Widnes and has three brothers aged 18,20 and 22.
Simone said: "The employee said she thought he was a baby in a pram but it's advertised that babies are welcome so why wouldn't it be suitable?
"There were other babies there, I would love to know the logic in letting other babies in but not mine if they thought my son was a baby.
"I don't want to vilify the staff member but when someone does wrong they have to be accountable.
"The previous bank holidays Stephen has been really ill and that's what really upset me.
"We thought we could get dressed up and go out for the day and then this ruined it.
"Afterwards I thought, is this what is going to happen in the future, is this what Stephen will have to deal with.
"He's only little and it hurts.
"This is what happens when you turn up with a child who looks different, I think it may have been shock bit I don't think that should happen in this day and age.
"I don't want a free day out or whatever it is they are offering, I want them to give my son the respect he deserved to get on that day."
A spokesman for Mattel Play said: "We welcome children of all abilities and in fact we often invite parents who are worried into the play centre to have a look and see if it is suitable for their child.
"The staff member in question looked over her desk, which is quite tall, and saw what she thought was a baby in a pushchair.
"She later apologised for her mistake and offered to show the lady around."
An image has been widely shared on Facebook which appears to show a statement published on the Mattel Play Liverpool Facebook page before the page was reportedly deleted.
The post reads: "We would like to respond to recent online comments suggesting a young child with Down's Syndrome was turned away from Mattel Play Liverpool.
"This was a case of misunderstanding, as our member of staff believed the child's parent was enquiring about how suitable the play area was for a young baby who was unable to walk.
"In the seven months since we opened we have welcomed thousands of children, many with a range of disabilities.
"Each is free to play alongside one another, provided their parent/carer and staff believe it is safe for them to do so.
"In this case safety was our main concern and we are very sorry for any upset caused."
