Pub Owner Is Heartbroken When Parent Asks If Disabled Son Is Allowed to Enter, and Her Response Goes Viral

Screenshot/Google Maps

A British pub landlady has been lauded for her stance on inclusivity after a father asked whether his disabled son was welcome in the establishment. The landlady’s incredible response went viral.

On June 25, 2018, Steph Tate, the owner of family-friendly pub The Barrel Chapeltown in Sheffield, England, took to Facebook. She regaled the poignant encounter with her customer Steven Adams and his young son, Matthew.

“Yesterday a parent came in and asked me if his wheelchair-bound child was ok to be in the pub,” Steph began. “I was confused why he felt he needed to ask.”

Steven explained that his son, Matthew, sometimes makes loud noises and waves his arms. Steven and his wife, Leila, had grown accustomed to unfavorable comments from disgruntled patrons. As such, Steven felt he should ask permission before entering the pub with his son.

Steph admitted that the father’s question broke her heart.

“My intention is not to embarrass the parent who I spoke to yesterday,” Steph posted online. “[I]t has played on my mind all night about how this man must have felt asking me if his child would be accepted in here. It then got me thinking about how many other people must be in the same position.”

The landlady, moved by the interaction, went on to state that whatever assistance a customer may need, her staff would always be on hand to help.

“I just felt devastated that in this day and age somebody would feel they have to ask that,” Steph later told The Sun. “The look on [Steven’s] face just broke my heart.”

Speaking to HuffPost, Matthew’s mother, Leila, explained that she received “so many negative comments and verbal abuse” almost every time she ventured out with Matthew on her own. “My husband checked with the landlady to ensure there wouldn’t be an issue in order to reassure me,” she added, “as our son was quite excitable after a long journey on a warm bus.”

Leila described Matthew as “usually very happy and sociable,” adding that her son can sometimes express his enjoyment by screaming, flailing his arms, or banging his head on his wheelchair.

Matthew’s behavior derives from a sensory processing disorder that he developed after contracting viral encephalitis as a baby.

Steph, however, was entirely undeterred by the prospect of an excitable customer. Her heartwarming response to the Adamses garnered a legion of appreciative fans, and hundreds of netizens left comments, thanking her for her refreshing stance on inclusivity.

“There are many types of disabilities, some easier to see than others,” wrote one person. “Unfortunately there are also many people ready to judge, criticise, and even laugh, as well as tell you you’re not welcome. Your kind hearted, welcoming attitude is truly refreshing and lovely to read.”

“Brilliantly written & brilliantly put,” wrote another. “I would love to make your pub my local & I admire you for doing this. Well done Steph & all at The Barrel.”

Screenshot/Google Maps

Matthew’s mother said that Steph’s understanding had allowed her family to relax and enjoy their evening.

Speaking to iNews, Steph explained that her pub habitually welcomes a number of disabled customers. As such, The Barrel has many provisions for differently abled clientele, including an accessible seating area, a ramp, disabled bathrooms, and braille bingo cards.

After taking over the running of the pub in October 2017, Steph even reinstated Quiz Night.

“If you’re sat at home with a disabled child, partner, or friend and feel on edge about taking them anywhere due to fear of someone making comments, please feel free to bring them here,” Steph wrote on Facebook.

“If I find anyone making negative comments or being disrespectful,” she added, “they will be asked to leave, not you.”