Catherine Zwiegelaar, saddened owner of an emotional support dog:
I am absolutely disgusted at South African supermarkets that deny me access due to the fact that I have an emotional support animal (ESA). Here I refer specifically to Pick n Pay, Spar and Checkers. Yes, I will name the retailers, as I feel the policy regarding people with mental disorders is total ignorance on these companies’ part.
I have bipolar, my symptoms include: anxiety, depression and insomnia. My ESA was prescribed by a mental health professional to accompany me 24/7.
Let me point out a few things: discrimination against mental disorders; lack of empathy and humility; customer disrespect; and staff disrespect.
Catherine Zwiegelaar, saddened owner of an emotional support dog
You would say, what about the other customers? Let me point out a few things: discrimination against mental disorders; lack of empathy and humility; customer disrespect; and staff disrespect. Would you rather I have my trained emotional support animal assisting me, or staff and customers staring at me when I have an anxiety attack in the store?
I hereby refuse to support any store that denies any person who suffers from PTSD, anxiety, depression or any mental disorder. South African retailers and government are very far behind on mental health.
Humility and respect are nowhere to be seen, and that is a travesty.
