A UK woman pulled out of the New York City Marathon after not being allowed to wear a vest with her colostomy bag – and she’s now claiming discrimination.
Gayle Redmon, a medical doctor from Flint, Flintshire, has to catheterize herself six times a day as a result of several operations for endometriosis, the BBC reported.
He has a stoma, an opening that connects to the digestive or urinary system and allows body waste to be collected into a bag that is carried outside the body.
In the last 10 years, Redmon continued to participate in several races with the help of assistants.
“The New York Marathon has been on the bucket list for some time,” he told the BBC, adding that his jacket had helped him compete safely in marathons in Paris and London.
Redmon said she was thrilled when she was notified by email six months ago that she had been registered as a disabled runner for this year’s race, which takes place Sunday.
Gayle Redmon accused the NYC Marathon of discrimination after being denied a special vest for her stoma and had to withdraw from the race.Instagram / gayle.runs
He sent organizers an image of his jacket, which has pockets on the back for water bags and straws so he can sip constantly as his condition leaves him vulnerable to dehydration.
“I carry a lot of fluids when I go out on my very long training,” he told the BBC, adding that his jacket also has a pocket where he carries supplies for his stoma.
But the New York Road Runners, the organizers of the event, informed Redmond that only girdles were allowed — an aid that would affect his stoma.
The UK runner, a medical doctor, said she had to catheterize herself six times a day as a result of multiple surgeries for endometriosis. Courtesy of Gayle Redman Redmon said he sent race organizers a photo of his jacket, which has pockets on the back for water bags and straws so he can drink continuously. Courtesy of Gayle Redman
“I emailed them again and said this is a disability issue, this is very important. I can’t participate if we can’t figure something out,” he told the outlet.
The organization sent him a clear sack to carry water, but he said he couldn’t use it because it didn’t have room to carry his ostomy supplies.
A few days before the marathon he got another email saying he could use the front water bottle in the jacket, but nothing about where he could carry supplies, forcing him to withdraw from the race, the BBC reported.
“The New York Marathon has been on my bucket list for a long time,” she said.Instagram / gayle.runs
“I was disappointed that they couldn’t find a way to get me in. I feel I have been discriminated against,” he told the outlet. “I have a recognized disability… The Equality Act in the UK, and as far as I can tell the Americans with Disabilities Act is very similar, says that reasonable accommodation should be made.
“I’ve been trying hard to meet them halfway and see what I can do. They’ve made accommodations, but they’re not accommodations that fit me,” Redmond added.
In a statement to the outlet, NYRR said: “We strive to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with local laws and federal ADA guidelines to ensure runners of all abilities have access to our races while ensuring that every runner, spectator, volunteer and staff members are safe.” It said it had gone “above and beyond to provide these runners with options including purchasing two hydration packs for them, in addition to our 20 course-based hydration stations.
“It is unfortunate that his request was not in line with local law enforcement restrictions and he has chosen not to join us this year,” the NYRR said, adding that hydration jackets are on the prohibited items list.
Redmon says he has used his jacket to safely compete in marathons in Paris and London.Instagram / gayle.runs
Redmon said he understood the concerns about safety after three people were killed and 260 injured in the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013.
“I would be happy to speak with the New York Police Department about their concerns,” he said. “I have repeatedly asked [NYRR] what other suggestions do they have to help me with this, and they haven’t come up with anything.”
Redmon said he won’t be watching the popular Big Apple race because it’s “all a little raw right now.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
