A woman diagnosed with a rare medical condition faced a distressing incident at a Greggs bakery when she was denied access to a disabled toilet until she showed proof of her illness. Evan Francis, 29, who suffers from Fowler’s Syndrome, a condition that causes difficulty in passing urine, had to display her catheter bag to use the restroom, as an employee questioned her disability status.
The incident occurred in April 2024, shortly after Evan’s diagnosis and her first catheterization. Despite explaining her condition, she was told by a staff member that she was not disabled. To prove otherwise, she had to reveal her medical equipment, leading to an uncomfortable situation.
Following this ordeal, Evan obtained a Radar key that allows access to numerous accessible toilets to avoid similar confrontations in the future. Her journey to diagnosis was challenging, as her symptoms were initially misattributed to stress by doctors. The rare condition, affecting as few as two in a million women annually, required frequent replacements of her suprapubic catheter, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.
The impact of Fowler’s Syndrome on Evan’s physical and mental health has been profound. She expressed feelings of insecurity and a loss of control over her life, emphasizing the toll it has taken on her self-esteem. The syndrome restricts the relaxation of the urethral sphincter, causing urine retention and potentially dangerous bladder distention.
Evan also shared her concerns about the social and financial implications of her condition, highlighting the strain it has put on her daily life. Living with her mother and her partner due to health and financial constraints, she admitted to feeling isolated and dependent on their support.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Greggs apologized for the mishandling of the situation and assured that corrective measures would be taken to ensure compliance with company policies in the future.