Sometimes I'm embarrassed...

Simply put, that is totally messed up. I would phrase this a bit differently but the mods wouldn't like it.

While I _might_ be able to understand some irritation over not having access to 'thier' lanes, I don't understand how they could be irritated for long much less have the GALL to express thier irritation in such a manner. Hopefully the Kharmic Wheel will run over them in some non-life-threatening manner. Totally uncalled for. Paul

I've seen the Mirror and it's a pretty typical sensational British tabloid. My English-born better half describes it as "fit to line the cat's litter box with". It's possible that the event took place exactly as recorded. It's possible that what actually took place was a very minor incident and they've exxagerated and blown it all out of proportion. It's also entirely possible that it never happened at all, was an urban legend-type rumour and is being breathlessly reported as fact to sell papers. WITH BIG SCREAMING HEADLINES!!! Having once spent 15 minutes staring glumly at a magazine rack in a Waterlooville (Hants) convenience store, desperately searching for something halfway intelligent to read in the laundromat next door, all I can say is... take this with a grain of salt. :shakeshead:

I've seen the Mirror and it's a pretty typical sensational British tabloid. My English-born better half describes it as "fit to line the cat's litter box with". It's possible that the event took place exactly as recorded. It's possible that what actually took place was a very minor incident and they've exxagerated and blown it all out of proportion. It's also entirely possible that it never happened at all, was an urban legend-type rumour and is being breathlessly reported as fact to sell papers. WITH BIG SCREAMING HEADLINES!!! Having once spent 15 minutes staring glumly at a magazine rack in a Waterlooville (Hants) convenience store, desperately searching for something halfway intelligent to read in the laundromat next door, all I can say is... take this with a grain of salt. :shakeshead: Might I suggest the Daily Telegraph or The Times...not the NY Times which is also now known for it's "questionable" reporting methodlogy.

"take it with a grain of salt".....I'm not so sure of that. I've heard of abuses soldiers have had to endure from the others especially those who never experienced hardship...more often than not, they did not complain - just clam up and move on. Perhaps, someone else saw that and reported that to this "tabloid". I'm grateful that it got printed at all to increase awareness that those dolts do more damages at home than they would if they had gone to war themselves. :sad: If anyone tells you about what they had to endure, consider it to be honorable because you earned their trust to regard them as human with broken body not a freak.

She is only an embarrasment to herself.

She should have been ordered from the pool and barred from the facility.

I've seen the Mirror and it's a pretty typical sensational British tabloid. My English-born better half describes it as "fit to line the cat's litter box with". It's possible that the event took place exactly as recorded. It's possible that what actually took place was a very minor incident and they've exxagerated and blown it all out of proportion. It's also entirely possible that it never happened at all, was an urban legend-type rumour and is being breathlessly reported as fact to sell papers. WITH BIG SCREAMING HEADLINES!!! Having once spent 15 minutes staring glumly at a magazine rack in a Waterlooville (Hants) convenience store, desperately searching for something halfway intelligent to read in the laundromat next door, all I can say is... take this with a grain of salt. :shakeshead: I saw the story on CNN and then did a web search to find more details...not that trust CNN entirely but I'm guessing they did at least a bit of research (they had cameras at the pool where it occured). I will say again..this is an extrme example of people who are so set in their ways/routine that ANYTHING that distubs it sets them off...I've dealt with some pretty nasty fitness/lap swimmers over the years and it can get ugly! Lighten up...try something new!

The story is also in the Telegraph (a more serious newspaper than the Mirror I guess): www.telegraph.co.uk/.../main.jhtml I pity that woman and the facility that (apparently) sent the british servicemen away. :shakeshead: Last Monday I helped the lifeguard help out of the pool where I swim a partially abled guy with some physical defects. I was really pleased I could give a hand and thought "what a guy, he's giving it all he can!" We really are creatures of habit as Paul and others have said, but fortunately most everyone I meet is accepting and will accomodating. (Certainly more than the drivers on the road after swims!)

I emailed the center and here's the reply I got back today - FYI: Press Statement 22nd November 2007 Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking RH4 1SJ STATEMENT FROM COUNCILLOR TIM HALL LEADER OF THE COUNCIL Mole Valley District Council has an excellent relationship with Headley Court, who have been using the Leisure Centre for more than 20 years. The Council guarantees that Headley Court will have use of at least one lane of the swimming pool during their weekly sessions. But the number of lanes allocated depends upon the number of attendees both from Headley Court and the general public. At all times appropriate space is available for public use. There appears to have been a rare incident where two members of the public queried the provision of lanes of the swimming pool for Headley Court. This was an isolated incident, where some insensitive comments were made by these members of the public, directed at some of our customers from Headley Court. I have today (Thursday 22nd November 2007), spoken to Wing Commander Steve Beaumont of Headley Court and we both agree that this sort of insensitivity by a few people cannot stop us from working closely together in future. As we live in a democracy which encourages freedom of speech, we cannot legislate against what particular individuals say. Whilst the Council does not condone what happened, staff at the Leisure Centre did their best to accommodate all concerned and acted professionally in dealing with the situation. The Council has had a strong relationship with Headley Court for more than 20 years and is dedicated to supporting their continued use of the Leisure Centre. In fact we will be considering the following proposal at the Council meeting on 27 November: That this Council offers free use of the soft play area and swimming pool during the public open sessions at the Leatherhead Leisure Centre and free access to the cinema at Dorking Halls to: (1) the families of injured service men and women undergoing rehabilitation at Headley Court during their visits to loved ones (2) to the injured service men and women resident at Headley court who accompany their family on these visits (3) to the children and young people in care and their carer families who reside in Mole Valley. ENDS