Damn me and my wicked common sense!

Puss  until you're in that situation you have no idea how ostracised disabled people are and how contemptiously they are treated in this enlightened time.

I've lost count of the amount of times I've been to evening performances and people have bought their children and the poor child has been bored and made it known.  You accept that it's not the childs fault and say nothing.  However, when it's a disabled person who aren't cute and cuddly, matters change.  I appreciate it's a difficult situation where enjoyment may be spoilt but if the person has involuntary mental health issues, that's beyond their control.  Maybe with hindsight the people taking this bunch to the theatre might have considered that expecting them to remain quiet was never going to happen and a production that has more audience interaction would have been more suitable.  That way they wouldn't have disturbed anyone.  It may have been booked more to suit the carers than the disabled people!

It was obviously a poor choice of words to use the word 'disabled'. Personally I dont know what each of the individuals condition was and used the word 'disabled' as a blanket term.

It has obviously offended quite a few people on here and I apologise. Sometimes it's difficult to find the correct terminology that isn't in anyway offensive. I think people know what I meant though and some are simply taking personal offence where it really wasn't intended.
I simply thought it would be an interesting area to debate ................next time (although I doubt I'll start another contentious thread) I will spend far more time researching the correct terminology to use.

Pengy, you are right, I can't comment on being disabled and how frustrating it must be  but I do agree with you about the carer's, I really hadn't thought about that.  I'm really neutral with this debate, but feel that the fact the people were disabled is just as much coincidental as say, noisy children.  If it were noisy children or babies, people would justifiably be up in arms saying that the performance wasn't suitable and that the parents should have known better.  The fact that the people were disabled puts a whole new perspective on things.

Soozy I completely understand what you were trying to convey, and yes, any contentious posts will touch a raw nerve with people who have similar conditions.   I hope I haven't upset anybody with my responses, one never knows whether to write their own opinion in threads that will certainly upset those with a disability.

I suppose it would have been wise of the management to leave a few rows clear if possible. Not that I want or agree to segregation, cos I certainly don't, but in a situation such as a theatre ALL patrons should be given due consideration. The carers would have known that their charges were likely to be somewhat noisy involuntarily and should have made this clear to the management.

Everyone should be able to enjoy the show without being distracted by things that quite blatantly do not constitute audience participation. You can say that by wanting to prevent such disruption being made by 'disabled' people, you are discriminating against them, but by allowing them to get away with it without reproach, and thus spoiling the enjoyment of other people, you are discriminating against those who simply wish to enjoy the show without disruption. This is discriminating against one group (usually the majority) for the sake of being PC and preventing discrimination against another group (usually the minority).

Any kind of discrimination is wrong.

I don't know really. The only experience I have is of escorting a group to a pantomime each year. Not exactly Joseph and his coat I grant you. Having said that, we as a nation are not very good at meeting things face on and complaining. I assume that if there was an organised group then there was some form of caring facility available. Disabled people also have the capability of bad behaviour and like us also need boundaries. They deserve the dignity of that, otherwise we end up with spoilt disabled person, and that's a nightmare. Trust me!

If it were me id be far to ashamed of myself to admit i found it annoying. Never mind have the cheek to complain.

Imagine paying your £40 to have your night ruined like that *tutt*

this thread is thick with ignorance. Im quite sure the people were making those noises involuntary and not cause they were 'badly behaved'.

In the words of the great forum saint "shame on you"

To be fair, nowhere in the OP's original post did she say they did it deliberately.

i wasn't referring to the ops post, but others are suggesting its some sort of bad behavior.
Dont get me started with the op, laughing her head off. that's a different kettle of fish all together.

anyway im off out thank god cause this is one of them that is ripe for me getting banned.

Sorry Gypsie, thought you were.

That's true.  This happens to me fairly often given the small amount of times I get to the theatre.  My sister has a physical disability that means we tend to sit in the part of the theatre that's at street level and as this is usually where the 'companion' seats are if there are any parties with the sort of disabilities Soozy refers to they are generally in the same area.   If I'm honest, it does lessen my enjoyment of whatever I've gone to see, but I take the 'there but for the grace of god' view and try to shut out the noise.  I'd be lying if I said I'd prefer it didn't happen  (as I'm sure most people would)  I'd never dream of complaining though - they've as much right as me to be there.   "Annoying" isn't the word I'd use for the experience, but "disappointing" might be, but then, who's got the bigger problem, I suppose (and please don't take that the wrong way)

Can't post in this thread for fear of boppage

*** moves Leccy to another thread - sensitively ***

Hahaha!

I'd have waited until the interval and then asked to be moved. Yes, I know people with learning difficulties have every right to enjoy a visit to the theatre - but so do I.
I don't think that's being insensitive, sorry.

Although, if it was Joseph (which I hate and would have to be dragged to see against my will), any impromptu fart noises would be a welcome distraction...

I LOVE Joseph. How can you not like Joseph?

I despise it and all it stands for. Lloyd Webber shite

I was discussing this very issue with my Mexican friend, Paco. He tells me that in his country Lloyd Webber is renowned for his sheet music.

I am absolutely flabbergasted and outraged by some of the discrimination and intolerance being posted on here and think it's best that I leave my comments at that

I know - Andrew Lloyd Webber can't be that bad.

I agree with Kaffy's comments.

I see where you're coming from Soozy but at the end of the day no matter how annoying this incident was for your son, it was a couple of hours out of his day compared to the constant "hardship", for want of a better word, and even prejudice the group behind probably have to face daily.

I have to say it wouldn't have annoyed me personally but if it had, I would have asked to be moved if possible and left it at that.

Quite right ........i know it looks insensitive ....maybe it actually is insensitive but at the end of the day I have a sense of humour and rather than wrining my hands at my sons dissapointment I actually saw a funny side to it. sorry if it offends. as for people saying that my son should have felt privileged at sharing the experience - I think that's rather a silly thing to say. he is no stranger to people with disability/handicap/mental health problems whatever you want to call it. As a young man (student) he worked (twice for two weeks) in a special school with kids with 'learning disabilities'. we also lived next door to a girl with learning difficulties for twelve years and he spent lots of time with her .........she is twelve years older than him but they stay in touch. Personally I dont think there is anything wrong with paying your money for a theatre ticket and expecting to be able to sit through the performance without major disturbance. Sorry to have dragged this thread back from the depths but I've been out for most of the day and was interested as to how it turned out. As for the side swipe thread ...................quite pathetic TBH. As I thought this thread has (I think) raised some interesting opinions and makes a change from Dancing and Soaps 9much as I love them). Hey ho - it was probably a huge mistake as I feel I have been misjudged.

I agree the thread has given rise to some various and sincerely held viewpoints.
These, in the main have been expressed in a courteous way, which reflects creditably on forumers.
It is the sort of topic which would probably get a good airing in one of those radio `moral issue/dilemma` type of programme.
If it has given rise to some self-analysis and to serious considerations, that is a good thing.
I think it has been an interesting and enlightening thread.

well all i can say is as a mother of a girl with special educational needs if i heard someone tutt behind me id punch their fucking lights out. end of

Those of us that frequent heavy metal gigs are more than used to many hours of entertainment in the close company of the aggressive, the smelly, the halt, the lame, and the plain raving buggo

Presumably they know what to expect ......it comes with the territory doesn't it?

I don't think you've been misjudged.

Jesus Sooozy....have a little respect for your fellow FMs at least.

You opened a debate, didn't like those who disagreed, caused offence to others and your apology centers on how badly you have been perceived.

Perhaps i have a disabled willy - cos that won't behave either  

It comes with the territory, so to speak.

Does it moo at performances of ALW musicals though?

pmsl

I bet it spits at the row in front

I don't think you've been misjudged either soozy. Every time you attempt to explain just that little bit extra how open minded and accepting you (and your son) are you edge closer to being more patronising.
I was the first to answer your OP and I stand by what I said. I wouldn't complain myself, it would be churlish and totally lacking in sensitivity.

ps......ltns BDO

Hi Suzy, what does that mean

hey soops....just saying long time no see to the Big daddy ostrich