Townsville Show: Ayr woman blasts discrimination against disabled

A profoundly disabled woman says she was humiliated and suffered a panic attack after her carers were denied discounts to a regional show amid claims others were ‘abusing’ the hard to get card.

Disabled Ayr woman Kylie Wright, formerly of Mount Isa, says she was left humiliated after her carers were denied Companion Card discounts to the upcoming Townsville Show. Picture: Supplied

A profoundly disabled woman says she was left humiliated after her carers were denied Companion Card discounts to the upcoming Townsville Show.

Ayr woman Kylie Wright said she attended the Townsville Showgrounds to pre-purchase Show tickets for herself and her support workers only for staff to refuse the use of the card.

“They responded that the Companion Card is no longer accepted because too many people abuse the card,” she said.

“I feel grossly discriminated against because I have never abused the use of the Companion Card … it really upset me, I ended up having a panic attack.”

Organisers of the Townsville Show, running from June 28 to July 1, have been contacted for comment.

Disabled Ayr woman Kylie Wright, formerly of Mount Isa, says she was left humiliated after her carers were denied Companion Card discounts to the upcoming Townsville Show. Picture: Supplied

Ms Wright, a disability-support pensioner, said she was a participant of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and held a Queensland Companion Card.

She said the card allowed holders allowed holders to be joined by a paid-support provider or a supportive family member or friend to access community events, either free or at a discounted rate.

“The card is very difficult to actually get, it’s completely different criteria to the disability pension and NDIS; you really have to prove you need to have support to leave your house and access community events and not many people get it,” she said.

“I was horrified they refused it.”

Mike Gardner with Abbey Gardner on the Dodgem Cars at the Townsville Show. Picture: Troy Rodgers

Ms Wright said that even though it was up to the discretion of event organisers whether or not to accept the cards, she said refusal could be viewed as discriminatory under Federal and Queensland legislation.

The cost of entry for an adult aged over 18 years is $12. Tickets are not available online.

Ms Wright said she was happy to pay for her own ticket, but was seeking a free ticket for one carer, and a half-price ticket for a second.

Disabled Ayr woman Kylie Wright, formerly of Mount Isa, says she was left humiliated after her carers were denied Companion Card discounts to the upcoming Townsville Show. Picture: Supplied

Ms Wright, who had previously lived in Mount Isa, said her complex post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder and depression meant that prior to joining NDIS she never left her home.

“That was one of the reasons I was able to pass the criteria of being approved for the Companion Card is because I needed the extra support.”

Ms Wright said that she and two carers had visited the Townsville Show last year, describing the experience as life-changing, despite not being able to summon the courage to try a ride.

“This year I was hoping to try and go on the dodgem cars.”

Ms Wright said she had summoned the courage to speak out to highlight the injustice.

She said she would attend the Burdekin Show on June 26 instead.

Originally published as Townsville Show: Ayr woman blasts discrimination against disabled