London: Oliver Bromley, a 42-year-old man with a facial disfigurement, was asked to leave a restaurant in Camberwell, southeast London, after staff claimed he was “scaring customers.” The incident occurred after Bromley had completed a treatment session at King’s College Hospital for Neurofibromatosis Type 1, a genetic disorder causing benign tumors to grow on nerves.
Recounting this saddening experience, Bromley said, “I hadn’t even sat down. I went to place my order, and they asked me to leave.” A man behind the counter told him there had been complaints, and when Bromley asked for clarification, he was told, “I was scaring customers.” He said the interaction shocked him, adding that the staff likely didn’t understand his condition. “They probably thought having tumors was contagious or something.”
Despite the incident, Bromley hopes it will raise awareness of his condition and lead to more understanding in the hospitality industry. “There’s a lot of naivety around the issue,” he said. “There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s just something some individuals have to live with.” Bromley emphasized that he doesn’t want retribution, but rather aims to create a positive outcome and prevent similar incidents in the future. “I am hoping this raises awareness and that, going forward, there might be a positive outcome.”
After leaving the restaurant, which he has chosen not to name, Bromley filed a formal complaint but received no response. He then reported the matter to the Metropolitan Police, who recorded the incident as a hate crime. The police confirmed that while no arrests were made, they take “reports of hate crime seriously” and had visited Bromley to address the situation.
Nerve Tumours UK, a charity that raises awareness for people with Bromley’s condition, expressed disappointment over the incident. The charity’s director, Karen Cockburn, said they had reached out to the restaurant and UKHospitality, the trade association, to discuss improving staff education.
“Whilst we have not received any response from the restaurant, I am delighted to say that UKHospitality has offered to work with us to raise awareness of the condition,” Cockburn stated. She added that Bromley may have legal recourse under the 2010 Equality Act, where severe disfigurement is a protected characteristic.
Bromley added that this was the first time he had faced such blatant discrimination. “People stare—young children especially—but I’ve never been treated as directly as that,” he said. He concluded that while this experience caused him and his family sadness, it also presents an opportunity to spread awareness. “It’s not about me. It’s never been about me,” he said, reiterating his hope to prevent similar incidents in the future. “There’s always going to be nasty people in the world, but that’s my hope.”
What is Neurofibromatosis Type 1?
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that causes benign (non-cancerous) tumors to grow along nerves in the skin, brain, and other parts of the body. It is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene, which regulates cell growth. Symptoms of NF1 vary widely and can include skin changes like café-au-lait spots (light brown patches), neurofibromas (soft lumps under the skin), and bone deformities. In some cases, individuals may also experience learning disabilities or developmental delays. Though NF1 tumors are usually benign, they can sometimes lead to complications depending on their size and location. The condition is lifelong, but treatments focus on managing symptoms and complications.
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