Furious father claims a hotel cancelled their booking after they learned his 11-year-old son had epilepsy - saying he was too much of a risk
- 11-year-old Max Collins has epilepsy and deals with up to 50 seizures every day
- Max lives in South Australia, but travels to Melbourne for medical appointments
- Max's dad Mark wanted to turn the next neurology appointment in to a holiday
- They booked a room at Waterside Melbourne Apartments, but it was cancelled
- The hotel said Max was a risk and said they hoped the boy would 'get well soon'
An 11-year-old boy who has up to 50 seizures a day was refused entry to a high-end water-side apartment due to a safety 'risk'.
Max Collins, 11, lives with his family in Naracoorte, South Australia, but attends a series of neurology appointments in Melbourne to treat his debilitating epilepsy.
His dad Mark Collins told Daily Mail Australia he and his partner Lydia wanted to make the appointments more enjoyable for Max, so they decided to turn the next one in to a family holiday.
'We made plans to see the North Melbourne play and organised a behind-the-scenes tour of the Roos' club room, along with a trip to the zoo,' Mr Collins said.
Max Collins, 11, (pictured) lives with his family in Naracoorte, South Australia, but attends a series of neurology appointments in Melbourne to treat debilitating epilepsy
The family booked a room at the HFN Waterside Melbourne Apartments and were trying to organise check-in times with the hotel, and explained why they wanted to make it special for Max, when they got an email saying the booking had been cancelled (pictured)
The family booked a room at the HFN Waterside Melbourne Apartments and were trying to organise check-in times with the hotel.
'We briefly explained what the trip was for and why we wanted to make it special for Max, and then suddenly we got an email telling us they cancelled our booking.'
The email read: 'For the safety of the guest and due to the risk we cannot bear, we are sorry to inform you that we cannot accommodate you.'
The family were confused and devastated.
'I was told there may have been a language barrier because the hotel is run by a Chinese company, but when I was emailing them about check-in times it didn't seem to be a problem,' Mr Collins said.
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He also admitted he decided not to tell Max what happened because so the 11-year-old wouldn't 'feel bad'.
'We were out to dinner the other night and Max had a seizure,' explained the dad-of-three.
'And he apologised for it because he felt as though he'd ruined the night.
'I never want him to feel like he has to apologise, so I didn't tell him what the hotel said.'
Mark went on to explain that Max's epilepsy 'consumes his life'.
'He doesn't have a normal 11-year-old's life - he can't do anything alone and he's in 24-hour care.
'It can put a real strain on family life. His younger sisters have to watch him have seizures, and it can be tough.'
Mr Collins said Max's epilepsy can put a strain on family life. He explained Max's younger sisters (pictured) have to watch their brother have seizures, and it can be tough
Mr Collins shared a video of Max having a seizure so people could see what his everyday life looks like.
'The more people that see it, the better,' he said.
'Maybe then people will have an understanding of what Max goes through so many times a day and be a little more understanding of his situation.'
He also said the hotel apologised and offered the family free accommodation, but Mr Collins said he isn't interested.
'I just want to walk away from the situation and find somewhere else to stay,' he said.
'I'd prefer it if they donated that money to Epilepsy Australia.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted HFN Waterside Melbourne Apartments for comment.
