A blind man has shared the moment when an impatient stranger confronted him and his guide dog as they were blocking the passage on an escalator at a train station. The incident has angered many, with the lack of understanding and empathy during the confrontation.
Author and disability activist, Dr Amit Patel posted the video to Twitter, explaining how the stranger ruined his day. He writes, "Why do some people get so angry? This guy may have forgotten what he said by the time he got on the tube, but it ruined my day. You can hear in my voice just how stressed I was. I’d never endanger @Kika_GuideDog or myself by attempting to move on an escalator. Please, be kind.”
Why do some people get so angry? This guy may have forgotten what he said by the time he got on the tube, but it ruined my day. You can hear in my voice just how stressed I was. I’d never endanger @Kika_GuideDog or myself by attempting to move on an escalator. Please, be kind pic.twitter.com/5QkjRUvhmN
— Dr Amit Patel (@BlindDad_Uk) February 10, 2022
In the video, Patel is first heard asking sorry to the stranger, in which the other male responds, "You’re worse than a dog. If you don’t understand the human being. I just want to catch a train.” Patel responds explaining that he can’t move, replying with, “Yes, but I can’t move. She’s a guide dog. I can’t physically move. She’s not going to move. There’s no point arguing.”
After sharing the video to social media, the incident angered many of Patel’s followers and he was flooded with supportive comments. The footage has over one million views, and over five thousand retweets at the time of writing.
One viewer expressed their anger at the stranger writing, "Things like this make me livid. It also sums up a lot of people in London (where I lived for 15 years) who have zero patience, compassion and willingness to wait. It was one of the reasons I moved away. I hope you and Kika are ok and that this person gets their cuppenance.”
Another wrote, "Absolutely disgusting treatment of Dr. Patel and his guide dog Kika. The sheer entitlement from the man demanding they move because of his impatience. It took seconds to get down to the platform. 🤬 A little empathy, and consideration for those less able goes a long way.”
Absolutely disgusting treatment of Dr. Patel and his guide dog Kika. The sheer entitlement from the man demanding they move because of his impatience. It took seconds to get down to the platform. 🤬 A little empathy, and consideration for those less able goes a long way. https://t.co/uP4A4gIpRd
— Nigel Soooooouuttthhhhh 🏳️🌈 (@nothing_human) February 13, 2022
Patel took to Twitter again to thank those who supported him and his guide dog, writing, "Thanks for all the love & support you’ve shown @Kika_GuideDog & me. Kika’s an absolute professional & has been specially trained by @guidedogs to travel on escalators safely. Heres a little clip of how we do it. All we need is a little space & patience & we can all travel safely"
Thanks for all the love & support you’ve shown @Kika_GuideDog & me. Kika’s an absolute professional & has been specially trained by @guidedogs to travel on escalators safely. Heres a little clip of how we do it. All we need is a little space & patience & we can all travel safely https://t.co/7o3Np2xSdo pic.twitter.com/rKLzcfF5uy
— Dr Amit Patel (@BlindDad_Uk) February 11, 2022
Dr Patel continues to document and educate others about people with disabilities and has his own book about his guide dog Kika.
If you see a Guide Dog on an escalator, please be patient.
— Dr Amit Patel (@BlindDad_Uk) February 23, 2022
Guide dogs are taught how to get on & disembark an escalator to keep them safe. Any unexpected movements could result in an accident for either of us.
Even after a long day, look how concentrated @Kika_GuideDog is ⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JVSNLTUq2A
An incredible book, it’s a must read for everyone 👇 @BlindDad_Uk @Kika_GuideDog #mustread pic.twitter.com/HLnk8QCU3q
— Charlotte Currie (@cccurrie88) February 20, 2022
Image Credit: (@BlindDad_Uk / Twitter)
