Amputee mum who lost a leg in a car crash opens up about the disgraceful moment she was escorted from a cafe in tears after staff called security because she ordered only drinks
- Ali France was escorted out of a Brisbane Jamaica Blue cafe in tears last month
- Mother-of-two had her left leg amputated above the knee in 2011 after car crash
- She sat down at outdoor table at the cafe to have a rest while son ordered drinks
- She then told she was unable to sit there without food and security was called
A mother who had her leg amputated after a horror car crash was escorted out of a cafe in tears after being told by staff she wasn't allowed to rest at their outdoor tables.
Former Labor candidate, Ali France, had visited a Jamaica Blue cafe at Brisbane's Indooroopilly Shopping Centre with her two teenage sons on November 21 to pick up some hot chocolates.
Having undergone surgery on her leg just a few weeks prior, the 47-year-old relies on an electric scooter and decided to take a seat at one of the cafe's tables outside while her son ordered drinks.
But she was quickly met with 'cruel' wait staff who told her she couldn't sit at the table without ordering food - despite Ms France informing them of her disability.
A security guard was then called in to escort the 'humiliated' mother out of the cafe as she broke down in tears while other customers watched on in horror.
Former Labor candidate, Ali France, (pictured) who lost her leg in a car crash in 2011 was escorted out of a Brisbane cafe in tears after staff told her she wasn't allowed to sit at their outdoor tables
Ms France had visited the Jamaica Blue cafe at the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre on November 21 when she was escorted by security
'It was my first shopping trip with the kids after surgery a few weeks ago. Moving hurt. I was in my electric scooter and after shopping we needed to rest and refuel,' she tweeted.
'I was relieved to get out of the scooter as it has no lumbar support. Another family was sat across from us.'
Ms France said she was then asked by a waiter that she had to leave the area as it was closing soon and she could only sit there if she'd ordered food.
'I begged him to let us stay until the order arrived, said I'd just got out of hospital. He said if I didn't move he'd call security,' she said.
'I said go ahead call security, we've just bought hot chocolates from you and they are yet to be delivered. He then said ''how dare you, if you are asked leave you leave''.'
The disability advocate said the waiter also told her she hadn't completed the COVID-19 sign-in sheet - something she couldn't reach on her scooter because it was at the checkout of the busy cafe.
The 47-year-old said the experience left her distraught for days and humiliated
'Security arrived. I was in tears. I explained I was sitting while waiting for my order. The order arrived,' Ms France said.
'There were lots of people watching around us, staring. I hadn't even had a chance to take a sip of the hot chocolate. I got back into the scooter sobbing.
'It's not often that I fight my corner but it left me in pieces, distraught. Because while it was just one terrible encounter of many, it won't be the last.'
The mother said she was distraught for days and decided to tell her story on Thursday, it being International Day of People with Disabilities.
A spokesperson for Jamaica Blue said the business would like to 'sincerely apologise for any offence or embarrassment experienced by Ali France and her family'.
'We serve hundreds of people with disabilities every day at our cafes and employ many people with disabilities. We are deeply disappointed by this incident and apologise unreservedly.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Jamaica Blue for further comment.
Ms France was struck by an out-of-control car outside the Highpoint Shopping Centre in Brisbane in May 2011.
The elderly man behind the wheel smashed into the mother who was pushing her son in a stroller at the time, pinning her against another car.
Her injuries were so severe she had to have her leg amputated above her left knee.
The former Labor member famously ran against Peter Dutton for the seat of Dickson in last year's election.
Ms France was struck by an out-of-control car outside the Highpoint Shopping Centre in Brisbane in May 2011
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