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Paralyzed 3-Year-Old Boy Not Allowed To Bring Wheelchair Inside Of Store, Mother Furious

By Meaghan Ellis
Published on: 03:38 PST, Jun 24, 2015

Shelly Wall was spending quality time out with her 3-year-old son, Noah. So, she felt the Disney Cafe at Harrod’s in London would be quite befitting for their day out. However, their fun-filled day took an unlikely turn when they weren’t allowed to enter the world famous department store, due to her son’s wheelchair.

It has been reported that Noah was born with a debilitating condition called spina bifida. He is paralyzed, which is why his wheelchair is a necessity. However, the debate had nothing to do with his paralysis. Apparently, security personnel felt his wheelchair shouldn’t be allowed simply because it doesn’t look like an ordinary wheelchair.

In the tweeted photo below, Wall can be seen holding her son’s wheelchair. She also included a message to Harrod’s.

During an interview with Mirror Online, Wall recounted how her son was prohibited from entering the store simply because, unlike most wheelchairs, her son’s didn’t have handles. Although she reportedly made several attempts to explain that her son is paralyzed, the security guard adamantly insisted that the wheelchair could not be brought inside the department store.

“Before we went back home, we thought it would be great to take Noah to Hamleys and he played in the ball pool. They gave him a necklace and were just so sweet… We thought the Disney cafe and Mickey Mouse at Harrods would be such a treat for Noah. I cannot believe the security guard. I was pushing Noah in his buggy because of the crowds and wanted to put him in the wheelchair inside… I was carrying the wheelchair and the security guard said ‘Sorry, you cannot bring that inside.’ I explained that it is his wheelchair but he said it could not be because it ‘did not have handles.’ “

Due to the overwhelming backlash that followed the tweeted photo, Harrods released a statement of apology to Wall and her son for the disheartening experience, insisting the security guard did not realize that the item was indeed a wheelchair, reports Opposing Views.

“The ground level is flat and there are security personnel at all the doors who would be pleased to assist with entry. We sincerely apologise for any offence or distress this incident has caused. Harrods would like to clarify that our security officer did not realize the item being carried by a member of Ms Wall’s party was, in fact, a child’s wheelchair. It was, for this reason, our officer asked for it to be stored in our left luggage department while the rest of the family went into the building.

This was an unintentional error in judgement, and again we apologize for this. We must, however, clarify that at no point were Ms Wall or her son denied entry into Harrods and our policy is to welcome all wheelchair users to the store. We have subsequently contacted Ms Wall to offer our apologies, as well as an additional gesture of goodwill.”

Shortly after the formal apology, Harrod’s extended a special invitation to Noah that includes lunch for their family and a special tour of Toy Kingdom.

[Image(s) via Twitter]

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