NHS worker with hidden disability ‘in tears’ after row with ‘awful’ doctor
NHS worker Charlotte Leveridge has vowed never to return to a concert hall – after claiming she was ‘left in tears’ by a ‘horrendous’ doctor at the scene. The 42-year-old epileptic had gone to see Conan Gray with his teenage daughter Eden-Billi when the argument took place.
LeedsLive reports how Charlotte claims the doctor called her a ‘liar’ and told 16-year-old Eden-Billi to ‘shut up’. The couple were entering the venue at around 7pm on Friday June 3 as the doors opened via the disabled queue, when they argued with the doctor at the O2 Academy in Leeds.
Now Academy Music Group, which owns O2 Academy, said it would investigate Charlotte’s complaints. The mother must take medication with her wherever she goes to fight her epileptic seizures. She also carries a bottle of water which she says is vital as her daughter Eden drip feeds her during a seizure and it helps reduce them.
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The mum claims she was ‘left in tears’, after the doctor allegedly made a scene, and says they called Charlotte a ‘liar’ and told her she couldn’t take the medicine, a clobazam pill or its unopened water bottle. Charlotte said: “I felt the medical team at the gate singled me out because of my hidden disability and it was disgusting.
“I was so embarrassed and would have left if my daughter wasn’t so excited to see Conan. The whole experience left me in tears.”
The doctor reportedly said that Charlotte should give her the pill and she could call him if she needed it. But Charlotte says she stressed it would prove difficult if she had a seizure.
The doctor allegedly threw away Charlotte’s unopened bottle. The mum-of-three said: ‘I have partial seizures. If I don’t drink, it can turn into a complex partial seizure or a tonic-clonic seizure, and then I can go into a state that then requires going to the hospital.
“My daughter tried to explain to him what they look like and what is going on. The doctor told her to “shut up because she is just a child”, she is 16 and has been seeing me with my epilepsy for years. The lady was very rude and chose me because of my hidden disability.
“I didn’t get my pills back until I told her I would sue her if I had a seizure. The lady was horrible to me and uneducated about epilepsy. I have lived with my epilepsy for years and I know what to do and how to get out of a seizure.
Charlotte finally entered the room with her pill but had to buy an “expensive” bottle of water on the spot. She spoke to the head of security, who she was “lovely”, very helpful and who advised them to file a formal complaint.
The mum-of-three also felt let down by the O2 Academy because there was strobe lighting during the gig which she claims she was not warned about. “I spent the whole evening with my eyes closed and my head down,” she said.

“I’ve never had this problem at the big arenas I’ve been to before and I’ve never had a problem with my meds and drink. I would never go back, even if my favorite band was there.
A spokesperson for Academy Music Group, owner of O2 Academy, said: ‘We take all complaints very seriously and are sorry to hear that anyone has not enjoyed a recent visit. Our management team will thoroughly investigate the concerns raised and speak directly with Ms. Leveridge.
“Signage is clearly posted throughout the venue and on our website stating that strobe lights and special effects are often used during the majority of live performances and all customers are encouraged to notify our team before or during a performance event. any problem.”
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