A recent Asda delivery turned sour for 22-year-old Necati Ayhan from Southport, Merseyside. The part-time childcare student, who lives with fibromyalgia and autism, was left feeling “degraded and embarrassed” after a shocking interaction with a delivery driver.
On Friday, October 31, Necati arranged for his groceries to be delivered to his flat, but things took an awkward turn when the driver asked for help carrying the shopping upstairs. Unable to assist due to his medical conditions, Necati claims the driver muttered “disabled my a**e” before continuing with the delivery.
Captured in a recording, the driver challenged Necati, saying, “You don’t look disabled to me,” and implied he should have indicated his disability while ordering. This left Necati shocked, prompting him to return the groceries and opt for a taxi to the supermarket instead.
Following a formal complaint, Necati received a £30 voucher from Asda to cover taxi costs. He expressed his frustration, saying, “I felt terrible about the whole thing. The driver’s arrogance was unacceptable. It would’ve been different if I was visibly disabled, like in a wheelchair.”
Asda has acknowledged the complaint and is investigating the situation as a priority. Fibromyalgia, as described by the NHS, causes chronic pain and other symptoms like muscle stiffness and sleep difficulties, greatly affecting daily life.
How do you think we can make delivery services more understanding and inclusive for those with hidden disabilities? Let’s discuss!