The best thing about attending the footy aside from the atmosphere is the ability to banter with friends and family when your teams verse each other.

This definitely is not the case if you have to have accessible seating.... or Carlton are actually losing to the Lions! At best you can hope that when Ticketek or Ticket Master answer the accessible seating phone and that is a very big IF?! They may find some spare seats around the accessible seating so you get the opportunity to glare across and get a glimpse of that person who is restricted to the very limited seating opportunities.

Then you get to spend the majority of the game trying to give them a 'Ha! your team sucks!' glance or avoiding their eyes burning into the back of you daring you to look at them.

In Australia we are all supposed to be able to access EQUAL RIGHTS but the AFL along with other sporting bodies, their chosen venues and ticket providers are clearly still living with the cave men. Yet boy do they have money for this to be an easy fix!! 

Ticketek and Tickemasters response? You should buy your tickets weeks in advance. Ha! because that's equal rights. Regardless it still has us sitting apart. How many people buy all their tickets in advance? Excuse me whilst I go consult with my money tree.

The AFL, MCG and Marvel? They never responded to my email sent well over a year ago. Sadly either did my mighty club, Carlton. Who were the only one to respond? The Brisbane Lions. Their response was warm, witty and giving me back a little banter too. This is something they have informed me that they have addressed at the GABBA (I'm still waiting to hear back from my money tree about getting us all up there to check it out, but we will make it one day). Why of all places is the AFL state not even capable of addressing it?

All we want is to be able to sit beside our loved ones (don't tell my brother I mentioned he was a loved one, gross!) to enjoy the game, give them hell or wish they couldn't be next to us when we're losing. We want them to have that right to choose who they sit next to. God forbid everyone else does.

As for the accessible ticketing? Ticketek and Ticketmaster are a NIGHTMARE on the best of days!! You try getting in touch with them to gain tickets for a match! You will be lucky if you're still in the mood to attend the game afterwards. Tickets should be easily accessible for them too.

This sadly doesn't just apply to the AFL or sporting events. This is something that occurs everywhere and almost all events. Whilst you can't make accessible seating available everywhere you should make accessible seating available to groups of friends and families. We're beyond the days of people who require accessible seating just needing room for a 'carer' and no one else.

Please give my brother and all the other people out there who face this DISCRIMINATION a voice loud enough to be heard. Let's make a change.

Thank you x