Not disabled enough to access Hyde Park Concerts

[Tiredalwaystired]

I’m supposed to be taking my daughter to see Olivia Rodrigo at Hyde Park in a couple of weeks. I had spinal surgery a while back which has weakened my lower back and makes it very hard to stand for hours at a time although I can manage day to day as long as I sit at regular intervals . At previous outdoor concerts I’ve taken a shooting stick (like a walking stick with a built in seat) as I dont have the requisite paperwork for the disability seats so can’t access the disabled area, and I’ve coped OK with that work around.

I’ve just seen in their terms that shooting sticks are banned as they are considered “dangerous”. I now don’t know what to do. Without regular breaks on the pressure on my back I’ll be in agony after a couple of hours and I really don’t think I can attend. I certainly wouldnt be enjoying it by the time she came on stage, that’s for sure. This is my daughter’s Christmas present from me and we have been so excited.

AIBU to think that this policy is harming people that actually need that sort of support and they are discriminating against people like me who need some support in some scenarios but not in all scenarios? I feel I’m being penalised for not being disabled enough. It’s really upset me. Their helpline offered no guidance.

Could you take something like this ?
https://ebay.us/m/teaNkG

Ironically I think those are more dangerous in the space than a shooting stick. The website says “no seats including inflatable chairs or shooting sticks” so I think this would be including in that

Have you contacted them to explain and ask? Or are you expecting to just turn up with it?

I tried their accessibility line but they didnt reply.

Have you tried... contacting them and seeing what they suggest?

Have you tried a nice chat with the accessibility line to find out what the options are? They do need to make reasonable adjustments for you, and presumably you can evidence the spinal surgery? I have to contact access teams a lot and I normally find them very helpful.

Or worst case, on the day ask to speak to the access manager on duty and ask if there's something you could sit and rest. They'll have more ability to apply their discretion and I'd be very surprised if they didn't help you.

Yes I contacted them but they haven’t replied. I tried phoning during hours and no one answered.

Try mon -Fri, I'm assuming you phoned today, or does the ticket site have live chat?

I have a natty little scar along my spine which I would hope would be evidence enough…

I think either turning up on the day and winging it or giving the ticket away are my only two options. The former is risky though as my daughter is only fourteen so if I don’t go in either does she…

I’ve had similar problems. I wouldn’t even bother phoning them. From experience they will treat you as if you and chancing it and leave you feeling rubbish.

I’ve just accepted now that I can’t go to a lot of things because I am not disabled enough for help, but there is zero chance I can manage without any adjustments.

On the website (www.bst-hydepark.com/info-details/accessibility/#block-9) it states that there are places to sit within the concert area, ‘There are some places to sit down and relax including pub-style garden tables and benches.’ Could you arrive early and find a place to sit until Olivia comes on so you’re only needing to stand for her set?

I’ll give it another try on Monday. It’s supposed to be open at weekends too though.

Search nimbus access card and apply.

Sadly it’s a Friday evening so my daughter can’t leave to get to Hyde Park before school finishes. Otherwise, yes.

Can you sit on the ground or is that also difficult. It's a big park so you can sit on a blanket further back.

Yep. All of this.

Picnic blankets also on the banned list 😂😂

We went to see Springsteen and there are lots of benches around. Also, people had backpacks that they then used as seats, they seemed very popular.

Google portable stadium seats, this brought up loads.

Have you looked at telescopic seats I saw someone at a standing concert using one of them.

I’ve been to loads of these gigs as I’m local.

They’ll have places to sit: any places serving food/drinks had seats. Loads of people watch the gigs sat on blankets etc (not near the front).

Sorry about your dilemma, and your back. Do you have a trusted adult who could accompany your daughter to the concert?

Not ideal and not saying it’s okay but you can sit on the ground at the back and around the edges. Lots of people do it between sets.

Contact them via social media. Make sure you're polite but mention that you haven't had a reply and how much your daughter is looking forward to it. Ask them how they can help you attend with your disability. You shouldn't have to jump through hoops like this, but they will be more likely to help you if they are under scrutiny from their other customers.

Or, depending on how feasible sitting on the floor is, take a jacket to sit on. It's not a blanket and they can hardly ban that.

Aren't they the ones discussed in the second and third posts in this thread?

Really? Wow. Those gigs have changed. I also used to live locally and went to loads of gigs there. Used to get people bringing whole picnics and blankets and making a day or it.