When a 37-year-old doctor strapped a Go-Pro camera to his guide dog Kika, the blind father was shocked to learn about the unseen discrimination he faces multiple times a day. With the assistance of his wife Seema, Amit Patel discovered many people are doing horrific things directed at him and his dog, knowing that he can't see them.
Amit lost his vision five years ago because of keratoconus. He has heard the rude comments, the snickering and snide snippets people say, since he's blind, not deaf. But the video shone a light on his mistreatment that has gone viral.
The Patel family lives in London and Amit uses public transportation to get around town. His guide dog Kika has the GoPro attached to her back harness. Every day, Amit uploads the video to his computer and his wife helps him review it.
Seema provides the eyes that see a woman placing her bags on an empty seat, preventing Amit from sitting down. She sees people not getting up from their seats to allow him to sit. She also heartbreakingly sees people deliberately hitting her husband and Kika with bags and umbrellas.
As one of only five percent of guide dogs trained to escort owners onto escalators, Kika will get very upset with people who hit her or barge past her. She's doing her job and that's to help and protect Amit. But he was horrified to learn how they mistreated not just him, but also her.
“It all started when people barged me out of the way [on the escalator]. They have loads of space to get past, but they seem to think it is fun to barge into a blind person. Kika always sits to my lefthand side so we often block the escalator, and people will hit her with bags and umbrellas to get her to move out of the way.”
In fact, Amit has had strangers demand that he apologize for “holding people up” on the escalator. One woman's sharp barbs directed at him were abhorrent.
“The worst part is the tutting and negative comments behind me. People are so rude and arrogant and assume they can do whatever they want … One lady even said I should apologize to the people behind her for holding them up. I asked her if I should apologize for being blind and she said ‘yes.'”
When Amit is forced to take a different train or bus route because there is a closure and he's in unfamiliar territory, he needs help. But his requests for assistance from station staff usually go ignored. In fact, footage shows him waiting five minutes for help even though station employees are staring straight at him. Taxi cabs will zoom by him without stopping and others will touch Kika even though it's an unwritten rule that no one is to touch a service dog.
“People even walk right up to me but then swerve at the last minute. They also come up to Kika and touch her and distract her while she is walking, which puts her off.”
One car even hit Kika while she was trying to save Amit's life from the speeding vehicle. He was in the crosswalk going through an intersection when it was his turn to cross and a car barreled through, running a red light.
“She saw the car and she got in front of me and took the hit. The car grazed her nose. It was three days before she could work again.”
Watch some of the appalling video Kika captured on the GoPro.
As a blind adult, Amit has learned to be as independent as he can be, but still needs help. He said that losing his sight was “very lonely” and when he travels by public transportation, he feels like a “scared little boy in the corner.” Can you believe what strangers are doing to Amit and Kika?
Carol Bellingham
- Edit
I am shocked this poor man & his guide dog get treated like this -in Australia, I have never seen or heard anyone being rude, mean or unhelpful to a blind person or a guide dog & I truly hope it doesn’t happen here but perhaps it does. People who live the lives without the ability to see are true heroes to me.
Freda Smart
- Edit
Disgusting.
Carolyn Morden
- Edit
Discusting
Heather Burton
- Edit
I don’t see what they are talking about in the video. Click bait.
Zandra Hamilton
- Edit
Well it’s London I wouldn’t expect anything less.
Anthony Berrettoni
- Edit
Stop calling them people they are monsters ….i want say dogs, dogs are too kind
Karen Elliott
- Edit
This is shocking. I can’t believe I’m reading this, are there really people like this on this planet? They take it for granted that they have full vision. Perhaps if they were to go blind they may think and act differently!
Tanya Betton
- Edit
Some people are just the worst but they will get what they deserve in the end.
Tesa Guevara
- Edit
and i thought people on that part of the world are a bit cultured and educated enough? now we know, reality speaks for itself for all the world to see. how sad.
Shelby Sweigart
- Edit
It’s the American way also… compassion and understanding. Don’t exist! It is sad!
Helen Hornbeck
- Edit
Kindness is Free. But most Human Beings in this world today unfortunately only have cruelness to humans and animals. I am saddened.
Rod Johnson
- Edit
and the video they showed didn’t show any of the things they were saying in the article..what it did show was a blind guy chewing out someone for not replying fast enough…it was a waste of my time…
Alexandra Martinelli
- Edit
How did he watch the video?
Jackie Dowden
- Edit
I’m utterly disappointed in how wretched people were
Ange May
- Edit
Bunch of arseholes – this man and his dog are amazing – cowardly lowlife useless morons
Tracy Stringer
- Edit
What is this world coming 2 people should be a shame of there self’s
Jessica Araujo
- Edit
Woooow the human race is pathetic
Emilily Desperado
- Edit
Just like there will always be those who park on disabled spaces.
Liz DeSteunder Barry
- Edit
His wife watched and told him what people were doing to him and his service dog.
Dyron Wilkie
- Edit
Humans are horrible, can we have cute Frenchies please?
Alexandra Martinelli
- Edit
I read the article. I was being facetious.
Andrew Ewing
- Edit
This is utterly disgusting
Hena Francis
- Edit
Very sad. Shame on these people
Eva Hayes
- Edit
That’s so sad iam sorry that these two have to put up with behaviour
Hecquet Jennifer
- Edit
Honteux vraiment les gens n’ont aucun respect, ni de savoir vivre..des sauvages!
Toni Antoinette Mack Tippin
- Edit
People are apathetic monsters.
Toni Antoinette Mack Tippin
- Edit
People are apathetic monsters.
Susan Cotton
- Edit
This is sickening. How can people behave like this. Makes me examine my own behavior to make sure I am never so self-centered or cruel.
Carol Romeo
- Edit
How did he see the video if he’s blind?
June Schofield
- Edit
They should be ashamed off them sellves
Sylvia Miller
- Edit
Absolutely disgusting what people do. I have ultimate respect and all four people who can use guide dogs to get around. I have trouble getting around and I have two eyes that see. Kudos to mr. Patel and his guide dog my apologies for the rude people he
Charlotte D. Parrish
- Edit
No excuse for their rudeness and hateful behavior. Wonder if they’ll remember how they behaved when they are older, with or without disabilities and the need for extra help!
Michael Churchill Sr.
- Edit
So, is the blind guy going to go home and watch the video? lol
Hans van Lint
- Edit
Schandalig.
Brenda Sanders Smith
- Edit
Shame on them!
David Engler
- Edit
Lets turn tables on other people & see how they would feel about this !!! Why ain’t the police around to help the blind when in trouble ? It’s a cold rude world out there !!!
Brent Sinclair
- Edit
if you actually read the article, it tells you this…
Carol Romeo
- Edit
Sorry I was at work, can’t take the time to read it.
Colleen Jellicoe
- Edit
Couldn’t watch it! But just knowing there are people who are so arrogant, rude, disrespectful to our citizens who are blind and their guide dogs is shameful! They are low life!
Rachel Rothenberg Alon
- Edit
I’m shocked! How people can be so cruel!! I wish them to be treated the same way!!!
Charlotte Alpen
- Edit
People nowadays are so egoistic that it is awful to see! I feel very sorry for this man and his wonderful dog and hope that a lot of people reading this feel ashamed of their behaviour. Best wishes for the future!
Janet VanSwoll
- Edit
This behaviour is absolutely outrageous and uncivilized. I’m disgusted with such people.
Joseph Sivils
- Edit
The awful truth…
That people are horrendous creatures and have so little respect for one another that they treat the disabled like this? Yeah, it’s why I like dogs more than people.
Martin Reed
- Edit
I must say, I’m surprised to see what I perceive as a muslim (sorry if wrong) with a dog, they are seen as dirty disgusting animals within the faith….perhaps they are becoming more civilised
Siobhan Toy
- Edit
Sadly, this is real. I have been pushed around and ridiculed while in public with my leg braces to help me walk. I don’t go anywhere alone anymore because of it.