Mercure Kawana Waters staff allegedly harassed Vino Illesinghe

A Sunshine Coast woman with a disorder has claimed she was ‘harassed’ by hotel staff after being told to move her car that was in a disability park, despite having a permit.

Vino and her husband Dhushan Illesinghe were allegedly harassed at a hotel in Kawana Waters. Pictured: Patrick Woods.

A Palmview woman suffering from two debilitating illnesses has spoke of her disappointment after being allegedly harassed by hotel staff after parking in a disabled spot.

The alleged incident between Vino Illesinghe, her husband Dhushan and Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters hotel staff took place on Thursday December 8, when the couple had come to eat dinner.

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The former financial adviser from Melbourne and her partner were keen to enjoy a night out, an occasion that can be quite difficult due to her disabilities.

Mrs Illesinghe suffers from stiff person syndrome and myasthenia gravis, both debilitating neurological illnesses that affect her limbs and muscles.

Vino and her husband Dhushan Illesinghe. Pictured: Patrick Woods.

Together the two disorders hinder her movements and can lead to her collapsing, forcing her to use a wheelchair some days.

As a sufferer, she said she tries to put on a brave face and pretend everything’s okay in order to get by.

Mrs Illesinghe said her husband planned ahead and made a reservation but after they exited their car at the Mercure Kawana Waters hotel, she alleged she was “harassed” by their staff.

“The receptionist came rushing out to us and said we were parked in the disabled space and we had to move our car,” Mrs Illesinghe said.

“My husband said that’s all right we’ve got a disabled parking badge, but they said no we’re going to get fined … that’s reserved you need to move the car.”

Vino and her husband Dhushan Illesinghe with their disability permit. Pictured: Patrick Woods.

Mrs Illesinghe said she became upset and offended at the claims made by the Mercure staff, who she said were being “rude” and continued to allegedly “harass” her.

After claiming the staff continued to question her about the permit, Mrs Illesinghe said she became teary and left.

She believes she may have been considered not to have a disability as she walked to the restaurant.

“There a lot of people with these types of disabilities … most evenings I can’t stand up on my own and can manage only a few steps as long its flat ground,” she said.

Mrs Illesinghe said she wanted to bring this to the light so other people living with disabilities wouldn’t have to go through a similar situation.

“Half the time you just want to put on a brave face and make it as normal as possible,” she said.

“After nine years I just wanted to feel normal for half an hour, it’s absolutely shocking.”

Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters hotel. Pictured: Patrick Woods.

Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters general manager John Örning said he had been in discussion with his staff and said they only reminded Mrs Illesinghe about having her sticker visible.

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Mr Örning said they have had customers in the past who were fined by police and never told her to move her car or questioned her right to use the park.

“There was no question as to whether she was disabled, we always remind everyone who parks there to have their permits visible,” Mr Örning said.

“I apologise if our staff kept going … the intention was good and the staff were trying to be friendly and only wanted to inform.”

Mr Örning said the staff that were working had received training on how to handle the situation better and wanted to extend an apology to Mrs Illesinghe.

Originally published as Mercure Kawana Waters staff allegedly harassed Vino Illesinghe