A shocking act of cruelty has marred the festive season in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, where a terminally ill woman was targeted with a nasty handwritten note accusing her of faking a disability to use a parking spot.
‘You don’t look disabled’: A double dose of abuse
The distressing incident occurred at the popular Wanda Beach surf club, where parking is notoriously tight during the summer holidays. According to the woman's husband, who spoke to the St George and Sutherland Leader, the trouble began on December 23 when a man in the club's gym confronted the couple. He challenged their right to park in a designated disability space, stating they "didn't look disabled."
The situation escalated dramatically the following day, Christmas Eve. The couple returned to their car to find a vicious note left on the windscreen, positioned right next to their fully visible disability parking permit. The note, written on what appeared to be club stationery, read: "Thanks for taking the parking spot from someone with a real handicape! [sic]"
The hidden reality behind the parking permit
The husband revealed his wife suffers from a severe and fatal genetic condition called Vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome. He described a tragic prognosis and a history of devastating medical emergencies. "It is fatal. The prognosis is tragic and the outcome is very short. She has suffered multiple strokes, multiple cardiac arrests and aortic ruptures," he told the Leader.
Expressing his profound disgust, he said, "I am shocked, disgusted, appalled, sick with anger that this has happened, at a surf club no less." He emphasised that while he and his wife are resilient, the impact of such prejudice could be devastating for others, including their daughter and people with less visible disabilities.
Club apology and ongoing investigation
After the couple emailed the Wanda surf club on December 24, club president Fiona Sutton called back the same day. She reportedly confirmed the notepaper came from a club planner and offered an apology, which the family appreciated.
However, the husband stressed that "this should never have occurred once, let alone twice in two days." He wants the situation highlighted to combat such ignorant and hurtful behaviour. In response, Mrs Sutton told the Leader the club is reviewing the matter and declined to comment further while the investigation is active.
The incident has sparked outrage and serves as a stark reminder that not all disabilities are visible, and that judgement and harassment in disability parking spaces cause profound hurt.
