![\"Matthew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_309644235-4118.jpg\")
\n\t\tMatthew had gone out to celebrate his late mother\u2019s birthday (Picture: Wales News Service)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tMatthew had gone out to celebrate his late mother\u2019s birthday (Picture: Wales News Service)<\/p>\n
A man was refused service at a Wetherspoon<\/a>\u2019s pub after staff mistook his medical condition for drunkenness.<\/p>\n Matthew Ball, 22, had gone to the Malcolm Uphill pub in Caerphilly, Wales, to mark the birthday of his late mother, Rachel.<\/p>\n After showing staff his disability card at the pub, Matthew, who suffers from a rare neurological condition, was refused service.<\/p>\n Matthew suffers from Niemann-Pick disease type C, which affects his speech, balance and mobility.<\/p>\n His sister Abby said: \u2018Matthew wasn\u2019t drunk. He was displaying symptoms of his neurological condition.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n \t\t \u2018He showed staff and security his disability<\/a> card, yet he was still treated as though he was simply intoxicated.\u2019<\/p>\n Niemann-Pick disease type C is a rare, inherited genetic disorder that damages organs like the brain, liver, and spleen over time.<\/p>\n Sister Abby said the condition had already led to Matthew suffering falls and broken bones and being unable to work<\/a>.<\/p>\n She said: \u2018He should not have to lose even more of his freedom because people mistake the symptoms of his disability for drunkenness.\u2019<\/p>\n A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon said: \u2018After discussing his medical condition with a member of door staff, Mr Ball entered the pub on August 22, and bought a pint.<\/p>\n \u2018When Mr Ball approached the bar to purchase a further drink, during a busy trading period, a different member of staff mistakenly thought the customer had too much to drink, and he was refused service.<\/p>\n \u2018The company apologises to Mr Ball and looks forward to Mr Ball and his family returning as customers in the future.\u2019<\/p>\n The family wants improved disability awareness among hospitality staff so those with medical conditions are treated with dignity.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Pictured](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_309644236-8deb.jpg\")
\n\t\tWetherspoon has since apologised for the mistake (Picture: Wales News Service)<\/p>\n
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