Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser
BoredPanda Add Post

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Autistic Man Called “Stupid” By Gym Staff Teaches Himself Law, Sues The Company And Wins
495points
User submission
68.4K
237.5K
Social Issues6 years ago

Autistic Man Called “Stupid” By Gym Staff Teaches Himself Law, Sues The Company And Wins

When Ketan Aggarwal, a 30-year-old Londoner with autism, was ridiculed by a spin class instructor at his local Virgin Active gym, he decided to take retribution into his own hands. After spending 2 years teaching himself law with the help of library books and online resources, he took Virgin Active to court – and won.

In a distressing May 2015 incident, Aggarwal was reportedly called ‘stupid’ multiple times by the accused gym staff member during a spin class, and was rudely berated for requesting a change of music. He made an official complaint, but was ignored, which led him to file a legal claim. Representing himself in court, he ended up victorious, and was awarded £1,390 as well as a written apology from Virgin Active. The instructor was dismissed from his job at the gym.

“When someone discriminates [against] someone with a mental disability, they don’t think they are going to pick up law, submit a legal claim and then successfully argue it in a court of law,” Aggarwal publicly stated. “It felt amazing to win.”

This is Ketan Aggarwal, an autistic man who was repeatedly called ‘stupid’ by a gym instructor

Image credits: Ketan Aggarwal

The 30 y/o Londoner decided to sue Virgin Active after his complaint to the gym was ignored

Image credits: Ketan Aggarwal

He spent 2 years teaching himself law, with the help of library books and online resources

Image credits: Peter Stack

Representing himself in court, Aggarwal proved that he had been discriminated against

Image credits: Unknown

In a sweeping victory, Virgin Active was ordered to pay him a total of £1,390 in compensation

Image credits: Ketan Aggarwal

They were also ordered to issue a written apology, all Aggarwal really ever wanted

Image credits: Google Maps

“It wasn’t about the money…” he publicly stated, but added that “it felt amazing to win”

Image credits: Ketan Aggarwal

238Kviews

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Share your thoughts
Marc
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who are those people? What makes them call people stupid, just because they may be different to them? How can they look themselves in the eye? And now the guy lost his job. Was it worth it? But what makes it even more bad is, that the company didn't react on his complains in the first place. Instead they did defend their instructor against all common sense, like it happens most of the time as well in other cases. They really should feel ashamed, but I know that they won't. Glad, he taught them a lesson and had the courage to go all the way.

Dorottya Hévizi
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The biggest joke is, there was no improvisation needed, he just asked for the music to be changed, IN A SPIN class, they are just cycling there, no choreography or actual teaching involved most of the time. Also why would you call someone stupid if they ask you to change the music??? (Most autistic people are sensitive to sound.)

Load More Replies...
Nancy E
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The instructor deserved to be dismissed . Whatever the handicap, it makes life more difficult for those that have it. Help should always be available to those that need or want it. Handicapped individuals deserve respect & should be listened to. This young man get 'High Fives"

Rowan James
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Load More Replies...
Ja Legge
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hats off to u!!! Glad u cld do the lawsuit.

Load More Comments
Marc
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who are those people? What makes them call people stupid, just because they may be different to them? How can they look themselves in the eye? And now the guy lost his job. Was it worth it? But what makes it even more bad is, that the company didn't react on his complains in the first place. Instead they did defend their instructor against all common sense, like it happens most of the time as well in other cases. They really should feel ashamed, but I know that they won't. Glad, he taught them a lesson and had the courage to go all the way.

Dorottya Hévizi
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The biggest joke is, there was no improvisation needed, he just asked for the music to be changed, IN A SPIN class, they are just cycling there, no choreography or actual teaching involved most of the time. Also why would you call someone stupid if they ask you to change the music??? (Most autistic people are sensitive to sound.)

Load More Replies...
Nancy E
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The instructor deserved to be dismissed . Whatever the handicap, it makes life more difficult for those that have it. Help should always be available to those that need or want it. Handicapped individuals deserve respect & should be listened to. This young man get 'High Fives"

Rowan James
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Load More Replies...
Ja Legge
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hats off to u!!! Glad u cld do the lawsuit.

Load More Comments
Popular on Bored Panda
Popular on Bored Panda
User Submissions
Also on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda