Teenage dwarf banned from bus because drivers did not believe he was disabled

 

A teenager who suffers from dwarfism was banned from getting on TWO buses after the drivers did not believe he was disabled.

Kain Francis, 17, had attempted to board two National Express buses but was told he could not get on without showing proof he was disabled.

On each occasion Kain, of Kingstanding, Birmingham, had attempted to bring his small bike on with him.

The teenager needs to take his bike with him when he is going long distances as he is unable to walk very far due to his condition.

However, he was left stunned when the drivers barred him from getting on last Tuesday after not believing he was disabled – despite the fact he stands just 3ft 5ins tall.

Kain said: “I told one driver the bike was my wheelchair but he said I needed proof of my disability in order to bring my bike onto the bus.

“I was just flabbergasted - you don't have to be a genius to know I'm disabled.

“I use my bike to get around everywhere. It's a lot smaller than any of the other usual bikes.

“It's embarrassing when you have to get on the bus and then get off the bus. “It’s awkward, almost like you're holding up the whole bus.”

Kain's mother, Luan Cridland, 43, said she was completely irate when her son told her one driver asked for proof he was disabled.

She said: “He's a good lad. He doesn't need people looking at him like he's some sort of freak show.

“The area where bikes would go is already a well-used space with buggies and pushchairs which get priority, and that's fair enough.

“If the bus is full then I can totally accept that and so can Kain, but when there's space it's shocking that he is treated so badly.

“He has the most obvious of disabilities. He's only a 104cm tall and has a distinctive gait so for someone to ask him to prove that is just ridiculous.

“And just before that another bus driver had told him to ‘stop taking the p*** and get off the bus’.

“We all have a good sense of humour about Kain being smaller, and he is very strong, but it's humiliating to be sent off a bus and it leaves Kain incredibly embarrassed.”

A National Express West Midlands spokesman said bicycles were not allowed on buses for health and safety reasons and only disabled passengers were allowed to carry walking aids or have wheelchairs.

But the company has now apologised and given Kain a letter to show drivers confirming his disability requires him to bring his bike on board.

The spokesman said: “We apologise for any offence, stress or inconvenience caused to Kain and we are confident he will not have any problems from now on.”

-Mirror