Outrage as "angry" shopper confronts woman during medical episode (2024)

A viral video shows the moment a woman is confronted during a medical episode because a shopper wanted her to move out of the way.

The TikTok clip of the incident was posted by Katie Graham, 25, on her account @serviceaussiebailey. A resident of Marietta, Georgia, she has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), which can cause a drop in blood pressure and an elevated heart rate.

Graham's medical alert service dog, Bailey, usually alerts her to a medical episode before the onset of symptoms. She told Newsweek that this allows her to sit down and take her medicine. Bailey will also position himself on her legs to regulate the blood flow to "help with blood pooling."

Unfortunately, there is no telling when a medical episode will occur. Earlier this month, Bailey sensed one when Graham was in a JCPenney store in Kennesaw. While in the denim section, she sat on the floor for several minutes but then was confronted by an "angry" shopper who felt she was in the way.

Newsweek has reached out to JCPenney via email for comment.

"The woman approached me after walking past multiple times," Graham said. "I could immediately tell she was upset but did not expect her to come up to me as aggressively as she did. She said multiple horrid things, and due to the brain fog during the episode, I struggled to form sentences.

"She said I didn't look like I needed a service dog, which was upsetting as I have invisible illnesses but they aren't any less valid just because you can't see what I'm going through. If I could've moved, I would have. Unfortunately, any movement would cause me to go further into the episode and could make my medication less effective," Graham said.

Sensing the woman's anger, Graham chose to film the confrontation for her safety. After a couple of minutes, the shopper went up to a display of jeans behind Graham before leaving the store empty-handed.

The video has shocked many social media users since it was posted. It has been viewed over 8.2 million times and received more than 665,200 likes in just days.

What Are Invisible Illnesses?

EDS is a group of 13 connective tissue disorders, each with its own features. Typical symptoms are joint hypermobility, stretchy skin and tissue fragility. Eighty percent of people with EDS also have POTS, according to the nonprofit Standing Up to POTS.

POTS is a blood circulation disorder that can be the result of less blood circulating, excessive pooling of blood and increased hormones such as adrenaline, according to the Johns Hopkins Medicine website. Individuals can experience a heart rate increase of at least 40 beats per minute when going from horizontal to standing.

The symptoms of POTS can include fatigue, lightheadedness, brain fog, nausea, headaches, sweating and shaking. It's also thought that symptoms can be worse in warm environments and in situations that require a lot of standing, such as shopping.

When Graham experiences an episode, her heart rate elevates and her blood pressure drops, so she must sit down to avoid fainting. During this episode, she felt nauseous and faint, her vision went dark, and she was shaking.

Although Graham was "extremely surprised" by the woman's response to seeing her on the floor, this isn't the first time it's happened to her. The experience left her feeling disheartened that people could care more about an item of clothing than another person.

She told Newsweek: "I wish I could say this was the first time I've experienced something like this, but it's becoming increasingly more common due to the fact my disabilities are invisible.

"People like to question the authenticity of my need for a service dog and for the accommodations I receive due to my conditions. On the outside, I look like a healthy, fit 25-year-old, but on the inside my body is struggling immensely."

Graham also said the woman "threatened" to call emergency services to deal with the situation. But Bailey's assistance prevents her from needing any such help.

How Did TikTokers React?

This wasn't Graham's first viral video, as she often posts on social media to discuss her conditions and show the lifesaving help that Bailey provides. Still, she was extremely overwhelmed by the response to this clip and all the support she received.

"It's good to see there are still good people in the world who would offer help," Graham said. "There have been some comments that agreed with the woman, which just shows that there are still people out there who would react in the same manner she did."

The post has generated more than 25,500 comments so far. One person wrote: "My jaw dropped when she said you don't look like you need a service dog."

Another TikToker commented: "People lack so much compassion. I'm so sorry."

Another comment reads: "If I saw someone sitting on the ground with a service dog, my first move would be asking if they are OK and can I do anything to help."

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