Disabled mother says she was kicked out of Facebook group after revealing she was an amputee

Amputee mother tells This Morning she was kicked out of a Facebook group by another mum who said they couldn’t ‘babysit’ or ‘be seen with her’ when she revealed she uses a mobility scooter ahead of a trip to the park

  • Poppy, Cambridge, says she was ostracised online after revealing her disability
  • She had joined Facebook group for new mums after giving birth March last year
  • New mum was messaging another mother about meeting up in a nearby park  
  • Blocked after telling woman she was an amputee and used a mobility scooter

A disabled mother says she was kicked off a Facebook group for new mothers after revealing that she was an amputee who uses a mobility scooter.  

Poppy, from Cambridge, began chatting with a group of women online after joining a Facebook community for new mothers during lockdown in March last year. 

But after revealing that she was in a wheelchair, Poppy claims she was removed from the group – with one cruel woman saying she ‘couldn’t be seen with her’ and didn’t want to be ‘babysitting both her and her child’. 

Seeking advice on This Morning’s phone-in segment today, Poppy said that she is now too nervous to join any local mother and baby groups in her area – with viewers branding the women who ostracised Poppy as ‘scum’. 

Poppy, from Cambridge, sought advice from hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and agony aunt Deirdre 

Poppy said she  became a mum in March last year, and began chatting with a group of women online after joining an Facebook community for new mothers during lockdown

Poppy said she  became a mum in March last year, and began chatting with a group of women online after joining an Facebook community for new mothers during lockdown

‘I became a mum in March last year and was on this Facebook group for lockdown babies,’ she said. ‘We were going to meet up in the park and they said “Oh what pram will you be pushing?” and things like that. 

‘I said I’d be in my mobility scooter and they said “Oh why?” and I said because I’m an amputee. 

‘She said “Well no, I can’t be babysitting you and your daughter, I can’t even be seen with you” and then blocked me. And they deleted me off the Facebook site and everything.’ 

She added: ‘I don’t know whether to go to the baby groups, I’m a bit nervous going to the baby groups I’m nervous going to them, I don’t know how they’ll react on me being an amputee.’  

Viewers were furious after the story, calling the women 'disgusting' and saying hearing Poppy's story had 'broken their hearts'

Viewers were furious after the story, calling the women ‘disgusting’ and saying hearing Poppy’s story had ‘broken their hearts’

Viewers were furious after the story, calling the women ‘disgusting’ and saying hearing Poppy’s story had ‘broken their hearts’. 

One wrote: ‘Omg being judged for being in a wheelchair. What kind of society are we actually living in honestly especially in 2021. My heart breaks for Poppy.’ 

Another said: ‘You are who you are and other peoples opinions don’t matter as long as the person is happy with themselves .. I am who I am and if people don’t like it then bye.’ 

Agony aunt Deirdre advised going back to the GP and getting them to give her advice on the local groups and offered to talk to Poppy off air to discuss which other organisations can support her

Agony aunt Deirdre advised going back to the GP and getting them to give her advice on the local groups and offered to talk to Poppy off air to discuss which other organisations can support her

‘Omg, Poppy! I’m disabled too and have had my fare share of hate but that’s abhorrent. You are better than them, never forget that.’, said another angry viewer. 

A fourth agreed: ‘Poppy you did not want to have a friend like that anyway!!!!! If you had met up with them and they said that to your face you would feel so much worse! call yourself lucky you dodged that b***h! What a horrible person, I would absolutely report her! Disgusting.’ 

Agony aunt Deirdre advised going back to the GP and getting them to give her advice on the local groups and offered to talk to Poppy off air to discuss which other organisations can support her.