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.

Yes I do but that was never the point of the gift. And really answers the question that I genuinely am not disabled enough to be able to access the concert I guess.

God, it sounds miserable 😂

Thank you this is helpful advice. Let’s hope it’s not a soggy evening…

I'm now going to waste my entire evening by trying to work out how picnic blankets can be deemed so dangerous that they must have a ban on them!

ETA: hope you manage to find a solution OP.

Not the point but Olivia Rodrigo isn’t real music anyway

I found it impossible to get an answer from them last year regarding accessibility but when I got there I found the welfare tent where I was able to go to take breaks and have a seat and some water which helped massively.

As someone else mentioned, look up the Nimbus access card. You need to provide medical evidence, but you don't have to be claiming PIP (which I don't get, but have disabilities).

With an access card, you are then able to buy accessible tickets if that's something that is required.

Probably not going to help you for this, but might help in future.

When I went with my daughter last year, I had a similar worry. No surgery but I do find standing for longer than aan hour painful.
We paid extra for the VIP section and there was loads of seating. Not in view of the concert really though. The stands are standing only but everyone sat there unless the act was on stage so it made it possible for me.
The rest of the area was packed so it would be difficult to see anything and be seated. I think that's partly why there's no seating allowed and partly because of the crush as you'd be trampled!

Just take her out of school if that is the only blocker?

Could you manage to get a hold of one of those push along walking aids that work as a seat too?

I can’t see anything on the website that says picnic blankets are banned?

I went to see The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park BST and sat on the grass for a lot of it. Don't know if this helps set your mind at rest any.

You’re right. Not the point. However, my daughter’s joy IS the point.

How old is she? If year 9 or below and not taking an exam that is important such as for a GCSE set I would just pick her up early.

Define “real music” 🙄

Actually that was my bad. I misread this as meaning no picnic blankets at all.

How is that remotely relevant. What a nasty pointless comment. Op is going with her daughter, it sounds like it will be a real treat for her daughter and a special time together for them

I had this for Billy Joel 2 years ago as I was heavily pregnant by the time the show rolled around! The accessible seats and all sold out and the VIP tickets sold out too and the woman on the phone could only advise me there was a quiet tent if I needed to sit down but it was far from the stage there was nothing else they could do!

I was going to hire a wheelchair and stash our bags in it until I need to sit as they were allowed but in the end I gave my ticket away….. luckily as in the end baby arrived the day before the concert!

Could you hire or borrow a wheelchair?

Yes those zones are really important as I have been trapped in my wheelchair before by people setting out blankets all around me at an event

I would try tweeting the organisers or similar?

I really feel for you, it's horrible being stuck in the grey zone where you aren't well enough to do stuff without help but not disabled enough to access the help

Yes, this is me. There is a huge variation in the support different places offer. I have more or less accepted that I can't go to the theatre - many of them require proof of being in receipt of PIP or a letter from a consultant. I am nowhere near PIP, but I cannot sit still for more than about 20 minutes as my joints seize up and the pain is horrendous. I just need a seat on the end of a row so i can move my legs. Very difficult to book because they go first. I don't want to share all my medical conditions with these people so I just can't go. I don't qualify for a BB but I can't get in or out of a car if I can't open the door all the way - DH has to pull me out. People get very impatient if we have to stop not in a space, but we can't always get a space at the end of a row. It means that life is more limited than it needs to be and at an earlier stage.

Accessibility for concerts when done right covers people who have found themselves temporarily disabled but didn’t / couldn’t qualify as disabled when buying tickets but have suddenly found themselves say with standing seats for a gig and a broken foot or unexpectedly from the time the ticket was bought become heavily pregnant.

Keep pursuing BST, have you tried emailing them? Or axs live chat?

Buy yourself a second hand wheelchair on eBay OP. I would like to see them try to stop you entering the site sat in your wheelchair!

We went last year; can confirm, blankets aplenty: middle to back of crowd. We took a huge bag with snacks.
It helps if the weather is nice and admittedly we did arrive early. I’ve been twice and found it very well organised with really helpful staff.
Queues can be long for merch and food(toilets were fine), so I’d recommend buying outside(IF they have it set up like last time) and take food if you can. There were free water stations too.
I hope you get sorted and your daughter has the time of her life, with you staying safe and comfortable too.

Also to note, it’s a very large space and quite a long walk from some parts of the park to the actual concert arena. The first time we went they sealed off part of the park after the show and we got lost trying to get to the Bayswater Road end.

What sort of proof do they want of a disability OP? I actually am disabled, and as another poster said, have never been challenged when turning up to an event in my wheelchair, so unless they ask for proof of a disability benefit, then ask around and see if anyone has a wheelchair you can borrow, I've got one you could have, but I guess it's unlikely we live close, I'm in Dorset, just in case.