Oliver Bromley’s NF Story

Turning Discrimination into a Mission for Awareness

Many of you may have seen the recent news story about Oliver Bromley, a man living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), who was asked to leave a restaurant in Camberwell, South London, after staff claimed his appearance was "scaring customers." This deeply upsetting incident highlights the discrimination faced by individuals with visible differences, and here at Nerve Tumours UK, we believe it is essential to bring attention to such unacceptable behavior.

Oliver, who had been receiving treatment at King’s College Hospital for his condition, visited a nearby restaurant for lunch. After briefly stepping out to withdraw cash, as the restaurant was cash-only, he returned only to be told by staff that there had been complaints about his appearance. Shockingly, they asked him to leave before he even had the chance to sit down.

"It was very direct and clear that I wasn’t welcome," Oliver explained. "I had barely been inside, and I was told to leave. Obviously, it was upsetting, but I’m using this experience to raise awareness, not to seek retribution."

As many of our readers are aware, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that causes benign tumors to develop on nerves, which can lead to visible disfigurements. NF1 affects around 1 in 3,000 people, and although not life-threatening in most cases, the emotional and physical challenges are significant for those living with the condition.

At Nerve Tumours UK, we work tirelessly to support those affected by Neurofibromatosis and to raise awareness of the condition within wider society. While we were deeply saddened by Oliver’s experience, it is unfortunately not an isolated incident. Discrimination like this underscores the need for better education and understanding of visible differences.

We have contacted UKHospitality, the leading trade body for the hospitality sector, to discuss how we can work together to prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future. Our goal is to ensure that hospitality staff are educated about conditions like NF1, so that all customers are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Oliver reported the incident to the police, who classified it as a hate crime. However, no further legal action has been taken. The Equality Act 2010 offers legal protection against discrimination for those with severe disfigurements, yet this incident illustrates the limitations of these protections in day-to-day situations. "People often stare at me, but this was different," Oliver said. "It was direct discrimination, and it shouldn’t happen."

Despite the distressing nature of the event, Oliver has chosen to focus on turning the situation into an opportunity for greater awareness. "I don’t want to punish the restaurant," he said. "It’s about educating people and making sure no one else has to go through this. If they had just asked, I would have been happy to explain my condition."

At Nerve Tumours UK, we continue to advocate for individuals affected by Neurofibromatosis and support them through moments like this. We believe education is the key to preventing such discrimination and building a more inclusive society. Through awareness campaigns and outreach, we aim to ensure that everyone understands that people with visible differences deserve to be treated with kindness and respect, just like anyone else.