Towie star furious as terminally ill sister is KICKED OUT of kids’ disco because she can’t sit up
FORMER Towie star Kelsey Stratford has been left angry and upset after her terminally ill sister was denied access to a kids’ disco.
Kelsey’s sister Kennedy, 12, was told to leave the venue because she is unable to sit up or stand.
Kennedy was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 at just a few weeks old, which has left her paralysed from the neck down, unable to speak and swallow properly.
Devastated Kelsey told us: “My sister battles every single day with a cruel illness that has taken her ability to move but not her beautiful mind.
“She was so excited to finally feel included at a kids rave, only to be unfairly thrown out because she couldn’t sit up.
“She faces unimaginable struggles every day, yet this was a moment she truly looked forward to—something that could have brought her joy.
“Now, she feels even more left out and hurt in a life that has already given her so much pain. How is that fair?”
Her stepdad, Paul, took to social media after the incident, which took place during Little Ravers at Popworld Southend, to express his upset.
In a lengthy post he explained how they were originally allowed in but as Kennedy started dancing they were made to leave.
He wrote: So yesterday my beautiful princess Kennedy had a ticket to Little Ravers xmas party @ Popworld Southend.
“Kennedy had been looking forward to this for a year as she loves both a rave and party.
“They let Kennedy in and all was OK, only for them to come up to us stating unless Kennedy can sit up she will have to leave, had to take a breath before realising they were throwing out a little girl, who was already dancing and singing, out because she couldn’t sit or stand!”
The devastated father continued: “To make it worse, the Deputy Manager, said she can’t do anything about it, Kennedy can’t be in there due to the risk.
“Remember Kennedy is hearing all this, cognitively she is not disabled, as they demand she leaves like she is a threat to the public and other children! Disgusting behaviour from the individuals involved!!”
He went on to say how he plans to take action against Popworld.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy - the symptoms
WHAT is Spinal Muscular Atrophy?
According to the NHS, the symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affect everyone differently, but can include:
Muscle weakness – such as floppy or weak arms and legs
Movement problems – such as difficulty sitting up, crawling or walking
problems with breathing or swallowing
Twitching or shaking muscles (tremors)
Bone and joint problems – such as an unusually curved spine (scoliosis)
These symptoms are most often noticed in babies and toddlers, but they can also start in teenagers and adults.
SMA does not affect intelligence or cause learning disabilities.
A spokesperson for Popworld, told us: “We’re very sorry for the distress this situation has caused Kennedy and her family.
“We strive to be inclusive and events like Little Ravers are designed for all families to enjoy, so parents and carers can come with their children to have fun in an exciting new environment.
“We take accessibility very seriously and guest safety is our absolute priority.
“However, it’s clear on this occasion we got this wrong and we are thoroughly reviewing our risk assessment measures, and team training, to make sure this doesn’t happen again. We are in contact with Kennedy’s parents and hope we can welcome her and her family back again soon.”
Around 1.6million people in the UK carry the gene that causes SMA and 1 in every 10,000 babies is born with the condition.
A child born with SMA type 1 is expected to die before their second birthday. Those who develop the other types in later life have a normal life expectancy.
Raver Tots, which has nothing to do with Little Ravers, heard about Kennedy’s plight and have reached out to the family to offer her free tickets for their next bash.