A mum was left fuming after a shopper accused her of faking her agonising spinal disability so that she could use a disabled parking spot.
Laura Davies, 27, suffers from degenerative disc disease - when one more of the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorates or breaks down.
When the mother-of-one parked in a disabled bay at Aldi, she said she heard a man muttering under his breath while staring at her, reports DerbyshireLive .
Laura said: "I politely asked him ‘is there something I can help you with?’.
"His response ‘well yes actually, why are you parking there, you’re too young to be disabled and look OK to me’.
"I was furious but kindly responded, ‘not all disabilities are always visible’, I then walked into the store.
Limping
Laura, who lives in Mackworth, Derbyshire, said she was limping that day but the man had just seen her stood still by her car.
"It was horrendous," she said, "It was not pleasant at all. I'm headstrong, I've been through a lot in my life but it scared me.
"I was angry and upset. I’m a tough cookie but I actually just wanted to burst into tears."
Laura, who has worked at Rolls-Royce for six years on behalf of Lionbridge UK, said it can be a "horrendous" condition.
She said: "I don't think people understand the mental side of it. During a bad episode I physically can't do anything, it's difficult.
"Even on a good day I'm in agony."
Laura wants to raise awareness of less visible disabilities and conditions. She added: “I couldn’t sleep last night, I thought I need to air this.
"My partner said to me I should just do it because sharing my story could help others, which is what I want to do.
"People need educating. I hope this gets back to the man, not in an angry way but to let him see how his actions might affect someone who is maybe less headstrong.
"People need to be more mindful and less judgemental."
