Double amputee who survived meningitis and stroke told to "f*** off" by Uber driver who thought she was drunk
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A double amputee who survived both meningitis and a stroke claims she was refused service by an Uber driver who accused her of being drunk.
Clare Brown, 33, was left humiliated at the end of a rare night out when she and husband Chris were turned away because she was unable to walk.
After Chris informed the driver Clare was an amputee and asked him to park closer, she claims the Uber driver insisted she was drunk, told them to "f*** off" and sped off "at about 70mph".
The aspiring model, who will feature in London's Alternative Fashion Week in September, claims the incident has been put off going out and vows not to set foot in a taxi again.
Uber confirmed it has suspended the driver from the app business while the allegations are investigated.
(Image: Mercury Press and Media Ltd)
Clare, from Selsey, Sussex, said: "I just thought how the hell am I going to get home?
"I don't want to get in a taxi again. I was absolutely distraught.
"We'd had a really fun night then ordered a taxi at around 9.45pm and waited outside the karaoke bar.
"When the Uber arrived, my husband ran up to the car and asked if the driver would mind coming to the other side of the road because I was disabled and wouldn't be able to walk across.
"Just by seeing me coming across the road, he thought I was too drunk. I have scarring of the lungs so I can't walk very much at all.
"He nearly ran my husband over as he zoomed off as fast as anything at about 70mph.
"By that point I was in tears - I wasn't drunk. I have disabilities which mean I'm constantly dizzy and due to the stroke my speech is affected.
(Image: Mercury Press and Media Ltd)
"I'm on so many tablets anyway that I can only have one drink and have to water that down."
The mum-of-two eventually managed to get home after ordering a cab through another company, but has been left too upset to get in a taxi again.
Due to her reduced mobility, she is reliant on support from both sides while walking and was upset that her disability was perceived as drunkenness, even after her husband told the driver she was an amputee.
Clare said: "I have no idea was he was thinking but he sped off straight away.
"Chris was quite upset with what had happened but when he complained, he just received a generic message back.
"As he said, the problem is they can just do what they want. There are so many problems with Uber drivers.
(Image: Mercury Press and Media Ltd)
"Everyone was trying to comfort me after we'd just had a really good laugh and got to know each other.
"When I was 17, I was in an induced coma after contracting meningitis . I was like that for six months in the hospital because they said if I moved I would die.
"It was to keep me completely still and during that time I had a stroke down my left-hand side too.
"I also had a brain haemorrhage because of surgery they did to take pressure off my brain and suffered internal bleeding.
"They were talking about turning off my life support and in the end, I had both of my legs amputated."
Thankfully, Clare and her husband were also with Aleah Leigh, founder of Equality Model Management, when the alleged incident occurred, who was able to help them arrange another taxi home.
Clare said: "I was quite glad that Aleah was with me on Saturday. Had it been just me and Chris, there would have been no way we would've got home so soon.
(Image: Mercury Press and Media Ltd)
"My friends were having to calm me down. It was not a nice situation at all and it's put me off going out in the future.
"This has happened to me before, where [taxi drivers] have perceived me as drunk.
"It only happened this one time with Uber but a few other times with other taxis.
"Many bars and clubs I have been to have commented on how drunk I look."
Aleah said: "When we told the driver that Clare couldn't walk because she's a double amputee, he said 'fuck off' and drove off.
"The poor girl was crying her eyes out. I was so upset for her.
"I've made numerous phone calls and I believe it is being investigated.
(Image: PA)
"We called another taxi firm and got her home eventually. Even the driver of that taxi was appalled by what had happened.
"When she is walking, she needs assistance from both sides. Because she also had a stroke, she speaks a little different too
"It was just awful for her. She'd had such a good night and was happy - for it to end like that was a shame."
A spokesperson for Uber said: "Uber does not tolerate any form of discrimination from riders or licensed drivers who use the app. We take any allegations of discriminatory behaviour very seriously.
"We're currently investigating this incident and it is our policy to prevent drivers from using our app while we investigate serious incidents."