This was my original post
This is one of the scariest and most humiliating things I have ever had to publicise on my Facebook page, but I feel it necessary to raise awareness for Crohns Disease.
Last night, I ventured into Manchester to celebrate with some friends for getting a first in my final assignment at University for my third year. We went to the Birdcage in Manchester. (I had never been before)
At a late stage in the night, I wasn’t feeling 100% so I went outside for some air. (Which I had to pay for the privilege of) I sat down outside for a while, and then went to go back inside as I needed to use the toilet quite urgently.
I was refused entry by the first bouncer he said I needed to sober up.
Fair cop, I had had a bit to drink, so I stayed outside a bit longer, but the urge was getting worse, so I asked him again, I said ‘Look I have Crohns Disease I need to get back inside to use the toilet.’
His response was ‘I don’t know what that is so…’ and pushed me along. He said I needed to speak to the head bouncer.
So I moved onto the second bouncer. He said did I have a medic card (which I do- but didn’t have with me. Fair cop again, I could be a bullshitter. But I wasn't)
He said ‘Find your medic card and this problem will go away.’ I said my medic card is in my day to day purse which I don’t take on a night out. So I was starting to get agitated as the need was growing.
I then got moved onto the manager (still stood outside on the brink of tears)
The manager then said ‘We can’t let you in, as we have reason to believe you are on drugs.
He went on to say, I had dilated pupils. (Probably due to alcohol- Won’t lie I had drank that night obviously)
He said I was frothing at the mouth, and was gurning.
(Will someone enlighten me, what is gurning?!)
I said to him I am a trainee teacher, if I did drugs it would ruin my career before it began.
I HAD HAND ON HEART NOT DONE ANY DRUG THAT NIGHT.
Bar Alcohol if that counts.
But anyway, we digress. Still not in the club, still needing the toilet.
He then said ‘I have Crohns’ I thought great! He’ll understand.
Nope, he wouldn't let me in, he said if I had Crohns I would be showing a greater urgency to get inside.
By this point I was crying, really crying.
‘I NEED TO GET INSIDE I NEED TO USE THE TOILET’
I said to the manager, I take 4g of Pentasa, and 125mg of Azathioprine every day, How would I know that if I didn't have Crohns.
He still refused me entry.
He said if I was really desperate I would go and try a takeaway. A friend came away from the club with me, I tried takeaways but none had a public toilet.
Now, this is the bit I don’t really want to write, and it is embarrassing and I don’t know how to put it. But I feel it the most important part of the story.
I came away from that club, and I soiled myself.
Because I couldn't access a toilet quickly enough, granted I should have had all the appropriate documentation with me to prove myself.
But I have never been so humiliated from having this illness and I have never been treated so shoddily by staff ANYWHERE.
Here you are Birdcage, Manchester. Here’s the proof that I did have all that stuff you wanted last night, maybe too little too late now?
But had I been on drugs I’d have probably forgotten by now?
But I haven’t, and this is for nothing more than to raise awareness for this condition, and shun people for their PURE IGNORANCE to ‘Invisible Illnesses.’
I don't often publicise anything to do with my Crohns on here, and I am terrified to write this because it is so embarrassing. But I feel it necessary after last night.
I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone.
