Reduced fee for membership, but says 'DISABLED' on membership card.

ripplyuk

There's a local club near to me that I'd like to join. I've been a member as a guest, but now I need to sign up fully. The membership fees are taken by the head office (somewhere in London), not the local club I'm in. They have a reduced fee for people with disabilities but the membership card is then marked very obviously with 'disabled' across the top.

I'd have to show this card regularly to other members in the club and I'd prefer not to disclose that I have a disability to them. I don't mind about the head office knowing because I'd never have any contact with them. I just don't want anyone in the club looking at me differently or asking me what's 'wrong' with me. I really want to join as there's so few hobbies I can participate in.

I could join without taking the reduced fee, but it's very expensive. Is that my only option? Is this a common practice, to mark out members who have a disability? Is it even allowed, or is there anyone I could complain to? The whole thing is putting me off joining at all and it just feels unfair to have to let everyone know when I'd prefer to keep it private.

Bogalot

Do you want to complain or do you want to join the club? It's unlikely they'll let you do both.

It is commonplace for those that get a reduced rate to have it noted on membership cards and similar, this might say retired, carer, child or disabled. There's nothing wrong with that, it helps the staff to check that people are not abusing the system.

Why do you have to show other members your pass? I'm assuming this is a gym, I can't think when I would show other members my pass.

ripplyuk

It's not a gym. I'd rather not give the details but it's nothing to do with exercise. It just seems the routine that everyone shows their membership card when they sign in on arrival.

I can understand labelling the cards might help prevent abuse of the system, but I've already sent evidence to the head office, which they're happy with. Having my card labelled as disabled doesn't provide any more proof. It would just make me feel uncomfortable.

I'm not going to make a complaint if this is a common practice. I'll wait and try to save up and join at the full cost next year.

SailorSam

A disability isn't something you should be embarrassed or ashamed of. Look at the paralympics going on in Brazil at the moment. They're proud to represent their Countries and i can't imagine many think less of them.

ripplyuk

That's so true SailorSam. I know I shouldn't feel ashamed of it. Everyone admires the athletes in the Paralympics. But then they're world class athletes and that's what people focus on.

I still can't help feeling ashamed because my problems are due to mental health issues, not a physical one. I know everyone in the club is aware that with me, there is something 'wrong' but I'd rather they just thought I was odd, than mentally ill. Anything except that.

SailorSam

I can understand how you feel Ripply. I have a Merseytravel pass. I have it 'cos of my age but others get them when they're only teenagers and may have some sort of disability that doesn't show. A bit similar to Blue Badge holders. And nobody looks twice at them.

Ames

Can you join and then make a suggestion (rather than complaint) that the cards are redesigned? If the card has to say that you're disabled then it could be more discreet, even by using a number code or something - so a small '1' in a corner is for youth cards, '2' disabled, '3' elderly etc. (Assuming they have different categories of discounts).

If you don't want people to see it, could you get there ten minutes early so there won't be a queue of people as you sign in?

DigForVictory

First of all, that pass is likely only to be seen by staff - not members. If a member does see it & does comment "I didn't realise you were...", the simplest answer is "Thank you, I'm so glad you think so."

Next step is a little mild misdirection as to just what the matter might be - so the occasional Purposeful expression as you hustle to the loos - let them query "Crohn's?", give them an embarassed grin & duck onwards. (Apologies of course to all Crohn's sufferers for trading on sterotypes.)

Or you could have a thoughtful look at the Paralympic classifications count various blessings & maybe spot another possible misdirection.

Or borrow my disability - epilepsy. Officially I'm disabled, in practice I'm stabilised & thus pass for normal on first second & even third glances. Medication controlled, I should be the last person in the building to have a seizure. I work, drive, married-with-kids, but the medical paperwork? Says disabled.

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need misdirection (or "veiling") as I'm given to calling it. Til that comes, I'll practice a little mild well-intentioned veiling & avoid a lot of unneccessary fuss.

Get the chit & enjoy the club facilities. Sounds like you're "clubbable" anyway - give it a couple of years, volunteer onto a committee & see if the membership cards aren't due for a redesign?

All the very best!

teddysmum

The card may be so marked so that staff know which people may need priority help in case of a medical or evacuation emergency (eg. following outbreak of fire).

w06

It's normal for membership cards and tickets to state on them the type of membership, for lots of reasons. It says on reduced price child and pensioner cards what they are too. Nothing to be ashamed or embarassed about.

Our local zoo has a slightly odd policy of sending the member's newsletter to 'mr members name and carer' on the envelope and all other documentation, which always rankled a little, but just reflects the way a membership for somebody with a disability is handled (same price as otherwise but somebody else goes in free with you)

Tolly_T

I think these sort of things are done by organisations without thinking. If they're not aware that it's an issue for some people it'll just continue. You could let them know how you feel - just a little nudge to make them think and maybe they'll change it in future.

I have a disabled membership at my local gym. I'm lucky that there isn't anything on the membership card to indicate that it's a disabled membership. I wouldn't want other people to know. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed about it but I don't want anyone who sees me checking in to be aware that I'm on that membership as it could lead to questions that I wouldn't want and make me feel less comfortable attending.