Epilepsy sufferer plans action over a 'club ban'
AN epileptic from High Brooms has claimed a nightclub is discriminating against her because of her condition.
Senna Harrison, 19, claims to have been barred from El Mono nightclub, on Calverley Road.
But this was strenuously denied by a director of the club who said she was free to enter but would not be served alcohol in case it triggered a seizure.
Miss Harrison, of Brook Road, is now talking to the Equality and Human Rights Commission about legal action against the club.
She said: "If you did this to a black person it would be discrimination. What's the difference?"
The dispute began on March 4, 2009, when Miss Harrison had an epileptic seizure in the club.
An ambulance had to be called for Miss Harrison and, according to the club, police were needed to deal with her friends.
From that point Miss Harrison said the club had been reluctant to let her in.
The photography student at the University for the Creative Arts in Maidstone said: "They told the ambulance team to tell me when I woke up that I would not be welcome back in the club.
"It was another three or four months before I went back and then they told me I couldn't come in."
Miss Harrison said she continued to press for entry to the club and was eventually allowed to talk to the manager.
She said: "I was told that if I went in I would not be allowed to drink.
"It made me angry because it's not their decision. My doctor has told me I can drink, as long as I am careful. I know how much I can drink and I don't overdo it."
The situation came to a head when Miss Harrison was caught drinking alcohol in the club and was asked to leave. She contacted the Equality and Human Rights Commission the next day.
James Tovey, one of the directors of El Mono, said the decision not to serve alcohol to Miss Harrison was for her wellbeing and the safety of others.
He said: "We are trying to be responsible. She is not banned. The first two times she came to the club she had a major fit. An ambulance had to be called then police were called because her friends were causing a fuss and didn't know how to deal with her.
"There was then an agreement not to sell her alcohol in case that triggered her getting stressed and bringing on an attack."
He said Miss Harrison was in the club last Tuesday and CCTV clearly showed her drinking alcohol that had been bought by friends. He said a member of staff reminded her of the agreement that she couldn't drink and she stayed in the club a further hour or so and left "quite happily".
6 Comments
by senna harrison, kent
Wednesday, November 24 2010, 8:08PM
“it is ridicolous that you still do not see my issue the club is exactly the same as a disabled person trying to get a job they are just trying to get rid of the responsibilty of a known epileptic from the club, they don't want to have to put up with it, i have you know i have been drinking ever since this incident and funnily enough i have been perfectly fine as my illness is now controlled i just was going through a bad time at that time and the club el mono decided to make things ten times worse at the end of the day you people will not understand untill you go through it yourself because your all okay in that department by the sounds of things go and get an education on the illness before you can even leave comments, epilepsy is not triggered my alcohol specially not in my case! and i have never had any problems , the problem with that night i had a seizure was the heat change from cold to hot and the stress of a fight kicking off in this club which is what triggered everything i was confused and didn't understand what was going on which in my eyes is what triggered it not the stupid alcohol and you know what as it irritates you ill carry on drinking because im 19 and noone has the right to put a stop to what i do i am not 17 i am 19 :)”
by john allen, t/wells
Tuesday, October 26 2010, 11:00PM
“Perhaps if you read between the lines then you might actually see that the club are looking out for your well fair. There have obviously been situations with yourself and this club otherwise it wouldnt have lead to this, i feel the club are being responsible. It isnt discrimination when they are purely acting for your own well fair. As for this supposed 'known diabetic' are you not calling for them to discriminate them too... isnt this your arguement?! Not fair surely?! whereas by the sounds of it they are more responsible with their drinking and are therefore not known to the club. As for your last comments about the club suggest that your issue is more a personal and malicious one rather than a 'descrimination case'”
by senna harrison, tunbridgewells
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 6:45PM
“and what gives you the right to say that i am being irresponsible? my epilepsy is controlled and i still go out on the town drinking WITHOUT suffering a seizure my NEUROLOGIST which happens to be a doctor and knows alot about epilepsy did say that i WAS able to drink alcohol does not affect my seizures! i am very angered by your comment you are all very naive to the illness and need to educate yourselves on the subject before you go taking sides on the discrimination side this club continues to serve a welll known seriously diabetic girl who has to inject herself throughout the night! now correct me if i am wrong but a diabetic should not be drinking any sugary sort of drinks? if anybody should be stopped from drinking it would be the diabetic you all are very small minded and equality and human rights agreed with the way i felt and with the way the nightclub dealt with the situation they have no right over what i can and cannot do therefore i do not give them the satisfaction of having my money any more for a club well known for violence i think the club needs to be shut down now as they have gone downhill with the way they deal with things and how they run the club in general and one last thing i am 19 years of age allow me to have a life please and stop trying to confine me in to 4 walls it is not fair and an epileptic can lead a normal life just like everybody else!!!”
by Jock, Paddock Wood
Thursday, April 01 2010, 1:13PM
“The club reserves the right to admission. The fact that the police were also called to deal with her friends would also be something management would look at.
I agree with the club. This young lady needs to be more responsible.”
by anon, t wells
Sunday, March 21 2010, 6:40PM
“as a wife of a epilepsy sufferer, this lady should know what triggers off her fits..... i agree with the night club...”
by Mary, Tunbridge Wells
Friday, March 19 2010, 7:01PM
“As a mother of a child with epilepsy I think the nightclub is being very sensible.”