Why we need to talk about Noel Gallagher and disabled cats

Gallagher says “don’t look back in anger” but I am not angry, I'm fuming.

I could not believe what I viewed yesterday regarding Noel Gallagher’s remarks about wheelchair users at Glastonbury. He is a high profiled celebrity who has probably got a lot of fans that are wheelchair users and to use hatred terms like "disabled cats", shame on him. I hope he loses all his disabled fans.

Trying to get a good view

Apparently, this was about the struggle to have a good view of a concert. However, it can be hard to see if there are loads of disabled people on the platform in front of you. I personally would much rather be down the front than be stuck on a disability access platform, separated away from the engagement of the crowd. Still, yes, I agree sometimes it’s a great view, but sometimes I can barely see the screens. It absolutely depends on the festival or gig location and the organisers.

Noel Gallagher should consider himself a very lucky man that his music is successful. If Gallagher didn’t have such a high profile in this world, he would be seen as committing a disability hate crime, especially saying that he “would have tipped someone out of the wheelchair and got his son to sit in it so they could be at the front.” If Gallagher really wants to be at the front, “Meet me at a metal festival down by the barricade, and let me show you a mosh pit, you will probably s*** yourself!”

Why viewing platforms are important

Gallagher has got to recognise that these platforms are not just made for anyone. They are made for disabled people who require assistance, a quiet area or because that might be their only way of watching the show. Being a wheelchair user, I have been down on the grounds plenty of times, but sometimes it’s too much. However, my disability is different to other people. Some disabled people may be able to tolerate it longer, and others may not be able to tolerate it at all, because of the ignorance of people bumping into you or dancing around you.

Accessible viewing platforms are essential. If they were not any accessibility in festivals, disabled people with assistance dogs would not be able to access certain areas. I wouldn’t be able to get to the bathroom quicker to allow myself and my support to access the equipment I need to help my impairment.

Now it is time to realise that he has committed a hate crime, but he does not view and probably won’t because his ego is too far up his ablest a**.