'If you have no feet, you cannot bounce' - Triple amputee thrown out of Oldbury trampoline centre

Ellie Bishop – who is an award winning trampolinist – was thrown out of Flip Out in Oldbury which has been open for just a few weeks, after the manager told her she could not be 'in control'.

The 16-year-old, who is from Rowley Regis, lost both her legs, her right arm and three fingers on her left hand after contracting meningitis when she was just five years old.

Determined Ellie fought on and returned to horse riding and trampolining once she had recovered – and even went on to win awards.

But she is now 'completely embarrassed' after being forced to leave the trampolining centre, claiming the manager said 'if you have no feet, you cannot bounce'.

Ellie, who has just started college, said: "I felt completely embarrassed and discriminated against.

"The manager was shouting at me in front of everyone saying that if I have no feet, I cannot bounce."

Ellie had even signed a waiver before getting on the trampoline, accepting any responsibility for injuries she might sustain.

But she was told she was 'likely to injure herself or others' as she couldn't be 'in control' and was asked to leave after she'd already been there an hour.

Humiliated, Ellie and her friends left – but only Ellie was given her £10 back after she asked for a refund.

Ellie said: "The company should have said if they had an issue with me being an amputee.

"Instead, they did it after I'd already been there an hour and he said it in front of loads of customers.

"I felt like the manager had a problem with disabled people, as no rules were made visible to me before attending."

Furious, Ellie's mother, Karen Dunnaway, contacted Flip Out who then offered refunds for the entire party.

Ellie had her limbs amputated after contracting meningitis in February 2006.

She was half an hour from death when doctors made the difficult decision to operate.

She spent three months in hospital recovering after having both legs amputated above the knee, her right arm amputated below the elbow and three fingers amputated on her left hand.

Izzy Hussein, from Flip Out, said: "First and foremost we'd like to apologise to Ellie as Flip Out prides itself on being inclusive and offering activities which everyone can enjoy.

"Secondly all customers can be assured that safety is our number one priority and we strive to ensure that everyone who visits can enjoy all of the activities in a safe environment.

"The day of Ellie's visit was particularly busy, due to an opening promotion.

"The manager was concerned that Ellie was in the extreme free running area which is for advanced users and identified the potential for her and other customers to be injured. We'd like to offer complimentary sessions to Ellie and her family and very much hope she will visit us again at Flip Out Sandwell."