The mum of an autistic boy battling leukaemia claims she was told she wasn't welcome in a pub because the young lad made a mess during a previous visit.
Mum-of-four Rhiannon Dunn, 26, says she was approached by a member of staff when visiting The Greatfield, in Cheltenham, with her son Preston, 5, and two friends.
Rhiannon said that the waitress told her she was not welcome since her son, who has leukaemia, autism and is non-verbal, made a mess there at an earlier date.
And Rhiannon claims a staff member then mocked their plight in a WhatsApp group, reports Gloucestershire Live.
After one person called her a rude word in the chat, another replied with several laughing emojis, she said.
Rhiannon said she was appalled and will never to go in the pub again.
“I struggle with Preston every day and we have enough to deal with without this,” she said. “What happened has really upset me.”
Rhiannon, also mum to Cruze, eight, Kayden, three and Carlson, 13 months, said Preston can be untidy with food due to his disabilities.
She would often take him to The Greatfield at lunchtime as it is quiet, giving her a chance to get out of the house.
“On that day I was with some friends and when we got there I was called to the side by a waitress,” said Rhiannon.
“She said if I came back in with Preston, we would be banned as he makes a mess with his food.
“It’s meant to be a child friendly pub and he’s a child with a disability.
“He’s sensory with his food and plays with it, sometimes he throws it on the floor. He isn’t able to communicate and when he made a mess I said I would clear it up.”
Preston was diagnosed with leukaemia last year and is currently having chemotherapy and steroid treatment.
In February he fell seriously ill with sepsis and a collapsed lung, when Rhiannon and her partner Jake, 29, feared the worst.
“Despite everything he is a gentle giant and a lovely boy,” said Rhiannon.
“No child should be treated differently. He has enough to deal with and every day is a struggle for him.”
A spokesman for The Greatfield said the matter is under investigation.
He added: “We’ve spoken to the guest and apologised for any offence caused.
“We pride ourselves on being a friendly, welcoming pub, and do not tolerate any sort of offensive behaviour.
“We are very disappointed she has been made to feel this way and are taking this matter seriously.”
