A Canadian cancer patient his hit the global headlines after being kicked out of her local bingo hall, not once, but twice, for not using a mask. But it’s not as black and white as it seems. The 67-year old woman didn’t show up causing a scene by refusing to wear a mask, she simply cannot wear a mask! Unlike you and me, Elaine Arbeau from Whitby, Ontario, cannot breathe through her nose or mouth due to the numerous cancers she is suffering from, so instead, she has a hole in her neck and it’s because of this very reason she was not allowed to play bingo!
Some are calling it disability discrimination, others are siding with the bingo hall, but whatever way you look at it, it’s bad. It all kicked off in August when Elaine was looking forward to getting out with friends at her local Delta Bingo hall, but it wasn’t going to go the way she had planned.
Taking to Facebook, her son, Joe Gilbert, explained: “My mom has battled many types of cancers over the last 20 years. She is still here. Hell of a survivor. However, she like any soldier carries many wounds. One being the hole left in her neck. So because of that battle she can't talk like us, or breathe like us. She breathes through the hole in her neck. My mom doesn't go out much unless its to play at a casino or bingo hall these days for her enjoyment with her friends.”
Twice the Humiliation
According to Joe, his mum was terribly excited to get back out with friends for an evening of fun, chatter and to just forget about her everyday worries after being cooped up for the last 6-months, but she was confronted by management at the Canadian bingo hall the very second she tried to enter the venue. Humiliating her in front of everyone! Can you imagine having to explain your health issues in front of a packed bingo hall?
“When she went to Delta Bingo Pickering, she was told to leave by management if she didn't cover up the hole on her neck. Well she explained that was impossible to do so. That's how she breathes. But nevertheless Lucy the operations manager escorts her out to the parking lot. In the parking lot Lucy realized how upset mom was and said it was ok to go back in. My mom was beside herself and floored. My mom left.”
Absolutely furious with what had happened, Joe contacted the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and he was told his mum “had every right to enter any gambling establishment regardless the hole in her neck.” After weeks of encouragement from friends and family, Elaine finally gave in and decided to try and play bingo again, but she didn’t get past the ticket sales and was once again asked to leave!
Joe concluded with: “My poor mom has no voice so I'm hoping by getting this out there many people will join me to give her one. This should never happen to anyone in my moms position.”
In the video captured by Elaine and her friends, the employee says: “This is private property and they can mandate any rules that they want.” It’s all very cold-hearted. Cam Johnston, CEO of Delta Bingo told CTV News Toronto that he plans to look into case; “I'll make a judgement shortly. But we would prefer that people who are unable to wear masks do not attend. I think it's best for them,” said Johnston.
Source: “Canadian Cancer Patient, 67, is Left in Tears After Being Kicked Out of Her Bingo Hall Twice for Not Using Mask to Cover the Breathing Hole in Her Neck”. DailyMail. September 02, 2020.
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