I spoke to a doctor some time ago this year about my unresolved appointments and tests I had quite a while ago now for my eye condition.
Since those 4 tests, the most recent in September 2022, which I still didn’t even know the results from that either. It was decided to be popped back on the waiting list as it seems I’ve gone by the wayside.
I got an email in June to say I’ve been referred. Since then I’ve recently filled in a form I received through patients knows best, to say I still want to stay on the list. A segment of the email is included in this post.
I can understand that through Covid-19 in 2020 I wouldn’t have been an emergency to receive any results as there isn’t anything anyone can do, as yet, to improve the Macular Dystrophy I have.
I wouldn’t want to be put before anyone with eye problems that have to be urgently seen to or operated on. So I’ve just lost myself too abit with this really and gave up.
Sometimes if there’s nothing that can be done, you think, what’s the point don’t you?
But due to last year bumbling about falling on the floor hurting myself, a noticible difference in my sight now (For a week I didn’t see a window above the bed on my holidays. It just appeared) and also, if I’m honest, my mental health wasn’t good at all. I eventually had a diagnosis for that which was quite hard to understand, but made alot of sense to me. I saw someone regularly about it for the last few years, it changed my life really. I’m in a much much better head space to sort life stuff out now which includes, going to see the eye consultant.
There’s also the thoughts on cane training. It’s taken a long time to face up to the fact that it maybe useful to be popped on that list, train and then when my eyesight gets progressively worsened, I’ll be ready.
Everyone reacts differently to their progression.
Everyone’s progression is different.
Ten years in and there’s still elements of this condition I cannot completely except. But I’m getting there.
PD Text reads from email. Your referral has been sent Dear Ms Catherine (Redacted)
You were recently referred to a specialist by your local healthcare provider.
The office of the specialist will contact you.
You do not need to do anything at this stage, but to view and track this referral, please log into your NHS account with your NHS login email and password.
In July this year. 3 of my friends, plus my better half, visited the local Wetherspoons, The Six Chimneys in Wakefield. They went for a drink, some food, and a catch up in somewhere familiar and easy to get around.
Me and my boyfriend have been there many times and used to go alot until this happened. Neither have my friends either.
I’m not gonna pull any punches. This was disgusting treatment by the member of staff who seemingly has zero commonsense to use with this particular situation. Also the email responses aren’t helpful at all. They are lacking to say the least.
This is about refusal of a Guide Dog.
All four people there were and are, sight impaired. 2 of my friends and my boyfriend use the long white cane, my other friend also has a white cane she uses at times when her Guide Dog needs to rest after a busy day helping her get around independently and safely. Her wonderful Guide Dog called Joey was with her that day.
That seemed to be the problem.
All of them went into the pub, sat down and all ordered food and drinks.
All of them have different eye conditions. Some can read the menu with glasses. Some use the voice tech on our phones to read the menu and other details for them.
My friend who has Joey, was approached by Tom and was asked to produce her Guide Dog Id Card.
Fair enough. Although the website (checked today) mentions nothing of having to have this card to enter the building.
Richard did try his best to establish whether, throughout the complaint, if without the Id card you would be refused entry. Nobody answered the question for him.
She didn’t have the card. Everyone explained that Joey is a trained Guide Dog. He has the harness on stating that he is, indeed, a Guide Dog.
My boyfriend tried to reason with the dismissive staff member. Explaining that they had come many times, Joey was an official Guide Dog. They had just ordered meals and food and wasn’t causing any bother and neither was Joey. He’s such a well behaved beautiful fella is Joey. As all of these wonderful dogs are. I can imagine him just laying down like he does when I see him. Sometimes he’ll make his way to see me and have a well deserved fuss.
They were all asked to leave. Because a card was forgotten. All of them.
They were refused because of Joey the Guide Dog.
The staff member started getting refunds for all of them and cancelling all the orders.
More reasoning and asking why exactly were they being all told to leave, like legally. Morally, well I don’t think that wasn’t even considered.
Where was the commonsense here?
Compassion?
Poor customer service at its finest.
Maybe a ‘Next time please make sure you bring your card, today you can stay’ sort of thing?
On the Weatherspoons website there is a few paragraphs under the tab ‘Do you welcome Dogs?’
This doesn’t state anywhere that you have to produce your card to a staff member to enter. As I’ve mentioned above. I’ve checked this again today and there are screenshots of the website below which I’ll do a Photo Description (PD) and Alt Text for each of them after this rant so you can read what it states there themselves.
The training this staff member had obviously didn’t include any lateral thinking on his part, caring or seeing the situation for what it was. 4 friends just wanting to enjoy their afternoon.
My boyfriend and my friend Luke, emailed wetherspoons to clarify what the rules are and to make complaints after this incident.
They have had the some responses back now. I include Richards emails that he sent and received in this blog post. Although he did ask them to ring him instead as it was easier for him being visually impaired. They didn’t. They emailed instead. So Richard asked them again to ring him putting his phone number (Which I’ve redacted) on the next email, but there’s been zero response to that. Just completely ignored.
Luke said his email seemed to be just an automatic response. That’s how much these people give a crap about their blind patrons. Well not us lot. We haven’t been in there since.
Don’t want to be embarrassed again.
Can we say that these responses that they could be arsed to send, are perhaps Half hearted? Bog Standard? Couldn’t care less? Standard Mandatory Response? Click and Paste Replies?
Weatherspoons. You just ignored the last email sent.
Not good enough Wetherspoons. Not good enough at all.
Just a thought…
The Purple Pound, representing the spending power of disabled people and their families, is worth £274 billion annually to the UK economy. Pubs, restaurants, and clubs lose an estimated £163 million each month because of poor accessibility and customer service. By improving disabled access, pubs can attract more customers, increase revenue, and build a positive reputation within the community.
PD 1 and 2 The text on the screenshot from the wetherspoons website reads. Wetherspoon’s policy is that animals are not allowed in its pubs, hotels, gardens, car parks or on other external areas. The exceptions to the policy are trained guide dogs and also assistance dogs with Assistance Dogs UK-accredited training.
Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) works with organisations which provide training for assistance dogs and is accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dogs Federation.
Wetherspoon does not allow emotional support dogs or any other animals in our pubs, hotels, gardens, car parks or on other external areas.
Reason
Wetherspoon’s pubs are busy, with families and children present, and serve a lot of food. Dogs can sometimes behave unpredictably – and some customers may be frightened of, or allergic to, them. In addition, many customers do not like having dogs around when eating.
While dogs with accredited training from Assistance Dogs UK member organisations are allowed entry, Wetherspoon is responsible for its own policies and is not affiliated to, or a member of, Assistance Dogs UK or its member organisations.PD 3 Joey the golden coloured Labrador dog lays down with his White Guide Dogs harness on. A cartoon woman with long blonde hair, that depicts myself, sits with the dog with her hand on the dogs back PD 4 Richards email to wetherspoons. A form that was filled in with telephone number. Name of pub The Six Chimneys. Visit. 15th July 2025. Time visited 4pm. The message he sent was as follows. Please call me about guide refusal, I am visually impaired so I need a phone call. If I am unavailable leave a phone number to call back on. PD 5 and 6
Wetherspoons reply to Richard.
Thank you for contacting the Wetherspoon Customer Services team.
I am sorry to read your comments about your recent visit to The Six Chimneys.
We aim to provide high standards and apologise that, on this occasion, we did not meet your expectations.
We can confirm that customers with trained guide dogs are allowed entry into our pubs with their dogs.
We have shared your comments with the pub and area manager, so that they can review them internally and take any appropriate action.
Thank you again for contacting us.PD 7
Richards response to Wetherspoons which has been as yet, ignored. Please call me to discuss, this does not answer my complaint tel (Phone number redacted). U an severe sight impaired and struggle with email. Regards
VD Cartoon Blonde haired woman wearing bright green dress and green trainers. Leans on a yellow suitcase whilst holding a Greek flag white and blue, which flutters in the breeze. She is smiling and winking. In the background is the outside entrance of Departure B at Manchester Airport
Writing of a few posts are underway at the moment for me.
Lots of different topics.
We have got back a couple of replies to the complaints my friends made against a local pubs complete mistreatment of them because of a guide dog. I promised I would write a post, so now I can. That’s coming up.
Another incident recently from my holiday that another complaint was made about. Both of these issues are regarding not understanding or seemingly having no compassion for people with sightloss.
Anyway. Less of that ☺️ A few are to do with my recent holiday and what we experienced as Special Assistance travellers being 2 visually impaired people, and a friend needing a wheelchair and what I found different this time seeing when I went away before this year, I hadn’t been even been diagnosed yet. So my eyesight was fine then.
I’ve thought of a few handy tips too.
It’ll be abit ranty for a few of them. This is unfortunately due to what I’ve experienced alot recently being either sight impaired myself or through my friends.
There has to be more awareness. We have to spread it louder and stronger than this. I try in my own little way, but it’s really not enough.
I’ve seen alot of compassion though. People that do care make the world of difference. It’s just the little bumps in the road. The uncaring few that can set you back. I have to think of all the good people I’ve come across recently on my adventures.
One Vision Blog 