MOEBIUS SYNDROME IS STILL IN THE NEWS!

And again, this is thanks to Alex Barker--who has not allowed himself to be intimidated.  Read on:

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A disabled man who claimed staff at a Westcountry pub refused to serve him after mistaking his condition for drunkenness has completed a 300-mile "pub crawl", including Exeter, to raise awareness.

Alex Barker, 43, who has Moebius Syndrome which causes facial paralysis, stumbled as he walked into the Cutty Sark pub in Falmouth two weeks ago, and was then refused service as staff believed him to be ‘under the influence’.

His experience led to national media coverage and a social media campaign led by the charity Changing Faces in which pubs were asked to commit to ‘#ServeAlex’.

After leaving Coventry on Friday, Alex called at pubs in Worcester, Bristol, Exeter, Bodmin and Truro before reaching Falmouth on Saturday nght], where he visited a number of pubs and bars.In Exeter Alex visited The Old Firehouse, The Oddfellows and The Prospect.

“I’ve had a fantastic welcome from all the pubs I’ve visited on the way,” said Alex. “I’d never been refused service before, and it’s restored my faith that so many pubs are clearly very welcoming to all their customers. All licensees need to make sure they and their staff are aware of their legal obligations to treat all customers fairly and equally."

He’s hoping to raise £10,000 for Changing Faces and Facial Palsy UK, two charities that have supported him, to help them raise awareness of the problem. “I’ve raised more than £700 so far, and have to say a huge thanks to the Old Windmill in Coventry, and The Prospect in Exeter, who handed me cash donations when I arrived,” said Alex.

“Alex’s experience highlights a real problem that we hear about week in, week out,” said Dr James Partridge OBE, chief executive of Changing Faces. “We hear of people being thrown out of pubs and clubs when they’re completely sober but a mistake has been made. We’ve got a big job to do working with the hospitality industry to helpthem ensure all customers are made to feel welcome, regardless of their appearance."

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