Disabled 7-Year Old Ejected From Theater

[Sheenster303 0]

I just don't understand how this can be justified. Poor kid.

Clicky

Disabled 7-Year-Old Ejected From Theater
Town of Wallkill – If you're a 7-year-old kid with cerebral palsy and autism, you have to take your laughs anywhere you can get them.

Just don't have too much fun at the local movie theater, or you might get thrown out. That's what happened to young Anthony Pratti this week. To say his parents are upset about it would be an understatement.

Anthony, who uses a wheelchair, was with his parents, his sister and his grandmother at the Loews Cineplex theaters in the Galleria at Crystal Run Sunday, watching a 1:15 p.m. matinee of the G-rated film "March of the Penguins."

The family sat in the wheelchair section provided by the theater. Anthony was having a good time, said his mom, Gina Pratti.
"He was laughing, but he really wasn't much louder than any of the other kids," she said.

About 15 minutes into the film, one of the theater's managers approached the family, she said.
"He said our son was laughing too loud," Pratti said. "My husband told him Anthony didn't understand, that he was disabled, but that we'd try to quiet him down."
Not good enough, apparently – the manager brusquely told the family that Anthony had to leave, Pratti said.
Outraged, the family followed the manager to the lobby, where they were told they all didn't have to leave – just Anthony, Pratti said. Pratti was dumbfounded.

"I said to him, what are we supposed to do, wheel him outside and leave him there?" she said.
The manager refunded the family's ticket purchase and sent them on their way, she said.

Pratti and her husband have spent the past three days making phone calls and sending e-mails, trying to get someone – anyone – from Loews to give them an explanation.
"Not one person from Loews has called me back," Pratti said.
When contacted by the Times Herald-Record yesterday, a representative of Loews corporate headquarters said the company is concerned by Pratti's story, and is looking into Sunday's events.
The company says it will issue a statement today.

Pratti has spoken with attorneys about the incident, but isn't sure she wants to pursue any legal action.
Meanwhile, Pratti says she hopes Loews will do whatever it takes to make amends.
"This was only the third movie Anthony had ever seen, and now we're afraid to go back because they might throw us out again," Pratti said.
Explanations aside, Pratti has a simple message for the manager she says publicly humiliated her son:
"Shame on you."

I'm so funny I crack my head open!

P.M.S. #102

[beowulf 1]

My guess is that manager will probably loose his job. I think he should be fired for being a dumbass.

[shropshire 0]

On initial read, it really doesn't sound like the company is being very sympathetic. Lets hope that they eventually see sense and change their ways.

It doesn't seem like the family are after compensation (which is very enlightend in these litigeous days) but they should at least receive an appropriate appology.

Good luck to them.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[nanook 1]

Believe me, I'm not trying to justify this. But, I'm theorizing this is a "money talks" situation. Enough people probably complained that they aren't experiencing their movie enjoyment to the fullest. I don't understand how someone can't tolerate an extra laugh from this kid.

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[justinb138 0]

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Believe me, I'm not trying to justify this. But, I'm theorizing this is a "money talks" situation. Enough people probably complained that they aren't experiencing their movie enjoyment to the fullest. I don't understand how someone can't tolerate an extra laugh from this kid.

I understand what you're saying. I have a hard time believing that the manager would take such an action if there wasn't a serious disruption, but then again, people can be dicks sometimes.

[tigra 0]

Its entirely possible there is more to the story than what was reported. Still, at a G rated family movie (matinee, right?) I'd expect disruptions.

[quade 4]

Not trying to justify anything, but it's a pretty one-sided telling of the story.

It's entirely possible that the kid was being disruptive and the parents are simply playing up the sympathy aspects of this for a lawsuit (even though they say that aren't looking into one, but they have contacted a lawyer!).

Running any theater and dealing with disruptions is pretty difficult because all it takes is one person to really affect the enjoyment of hundreds of people.

While I am sympathetic to any parent trying to take their children out to the movie, there are times when it's inappropriate. The story does mention this was a matinee (where one would normally expect quite a bit of noise) as opposed to an evening show attended mostly by adults (where one usually expects a bit more quiet). All things considered I think I would have cut them some slack, but like I said, it's a pretty one-sided story.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[kallend 2,150]

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"He was laughing, but he really wasn't much louder than any of the other kids," she said.

I guess a lot depends on what "much" means.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[justinb138 0]

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"He was laughing, but he really wasn't much louder than any of the other kids," she said.

I guess a lot depends on what "much" means.

True. I'd be interested to know the opinion of someone else in the theater at the time.

I just find it hard to believe that the manager would get involved and ask someone to leave if there wasn't a very good reason.

[Sheenster303 0]

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I just find it hard to believe that the manager would get involved and ask someone to leave if there wasn't a very good reason.

I agree that is hard to believe, but assuming it's true, it royally sucks and that manager had no right to force the child to leave.

I'm so funny I crack my head open!

P.M.S. #102

[justinb138 0]

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I just find it hard to believe that the manager would get involved and ask someone to leave if there wasn't a very good reason.

I agree that is hard to believe, but assuming it's true, it royally sucks and that manager had no right to force the child to leave.

Well, assuming that the child was being disruptive enough to warrant the manager asking them to leave, he would have to chose who he would want to piss off more, one family, or the rest of the theater full of people trying to watch the movie.

While the situation sucks, there really isn't an easy way out of it, he simply made the choice that would likely benefit the majority of people there, assuming that the kid was disrupting the movie enough to prevent the rest of the theater from enjoying it.

[quade 4]

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I agree that is hard to believe, but assuming it's true, it royally sucks and that manager had no right to force the child to leave.

Well, the manager is in a very tough spot.

I dunno is you've ever been around autistic kids but they -can- be quite noisy. Not really their fault, but then again what are you going to do about it?

If anything, I pity the manager because he probably had some other person screaming at him to make the kid behave and he was just caught in the middle of all of it. That's a huge portion of this story that hasn't been told yet. I seriously doubt the manager even knew about the situation until somebody else in the audience brought it to his attention.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Rebecca 0]

However, wouldn't it have been a more of a "win-win" to refund the offended party instead of ejecting the autistic child? I wonder if the offended audience member(s) was informed of the full situation?

Bad move... and in a G-rated documentary no less.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[justinb138 0]

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However, wouldn't it have been a more of a "win-win" to refund the offended party instead of ejecting the autistic child? I wonder if the offended audience member(s) was informed of the full situation?

Bad move... and in a G-rated documentary no less.

From a social (and maybe legal) standpoint, yes.

From a business perspective, no.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

It's not unusual.

My son had an attack at the diner on the DZ, and the manager came out and YELLED (no, not asked, but outright YELLED) at me to "Get him out of here!"

My boys are Autistic, and also happen to be 7 years old. Joey became over stimulated by the noises or something (can't ever tell, the twins cannot speak) and began crying, then he fell on the ground and it is at that point that his fear and anger take over and he can't control himself anymore. He was writhing on the floor, all the while I am trying to pick him up as his legs and arms are going everywhere. His eyes are rolling back in his head and then snap frontward, and I have some complete dickhead yelling at me to "GET HIM OUT OF HERE!"

"The boy has Autism and is having an attack."

The manager stormed away muttering in disgust.

Joey ended up cutting my face with his nails, and flailed until I could get him outside, sat on the ground, and wrapped myself around him so he couldn't move or throw his head on the ground. When he released his grip and teeth, he just started sobbing. He just doesn't understand this world...

The other diners in the restaurant looked very concerned as he dropped to the floor and began flailing, but I kept saying 'He's having an attack. I'm sorry,' and they seemed very understanding.

This manager embarrassed the entire wait-staff, they came out and apologized. They kept checking on us over and over as we ate out on the patio, and were just very sweet. Joey did finally calm down, and then it was gone. No residual anger, no fear. It's like it never happened. That's how it is with Autism.

Lawsuit? No I just don't think so. We weren't damaged any by the incident, but it sure was infuriating. I would have liked an apology from the manager, though. That apology never came, and I have never brought my children to the DZ again. Edit for clarification: it was not the DZ, everyone there is cool...it was the restaurant located on the airport the DZ is on.

I know it was mentioned above that money talks, however, disabled people should never be allowed in public? Sometimes an able-bodied and able-minded person should concede a little inconvenience and thank the Lord above for the reminder that they are whole.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[FallinWoman 1]

Interesting...as a parent my first thought is what a teachable moment about people of different abilities and gifts. What a great moment to talk to my daughter about tolerance and acceptance, not to gripe to the manager.

~Anne

I'm a Doll!!!!

[Sheenster303 0]

Thanks for your post, Jaye. It really gives a good insight to the issue.

I'm so funny I crack my head open!

P.M.S. #102

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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Thanks for your post, Jaye. It really gives a good insight to the issue.

Raising special babies isn't always painful though! I truly do have several heartwarming stories about kids taking notice of my Joey and Derick and doing the sweetest things you could imagine. -One older 'typical' developing girl decided to be Derick's friend on the play ground and played with him during recesses at school...kids at stores offering their candy to help Joey over a crying spell...a little girl asking if she could help when Joey and Derick laid down on the floor in a mall from being over-stimulated.

Things that make you feel good about the next generation.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[chutem 0]

I don't go in for fate or that kind of thing much, but isn't it interesting how so many "special needs" children are born to "special abilities" parents? (I hope that came out "right".) Good on you for exposeing your kids to as much of the world as possible.
James

[Jimbo 0]

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However, wouldn't it have been a more of a "win-win" to refund the offended party instead of ejecting the autistic child?

It makes more sense to me to eject (or otherwise deal with) the person who is causing the disturbance.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[Guest]

Theaters have been revamped to make places for handicapped people.

One would also hope that they would build soundproof rooms in the back of the theater where disruptive brats can scream to their heart's content.

The base theater at Bitburg, Germany had just such a room when I was there in the early 80s. Given that young military families aren't really in a position to pay baby sitters, the command thoughfully gave them a place where they could still watch a movie, but not ruin it for everybody else with their screaming kids.

These days, it would be an excellent place for cell-phone gobbers to be...

It's dubious to me that any theater chain ownership would be willing to spend the money.

Unfortunate.

Edit to add - all this movie theater disruption (talking, cell phones, etc.) has gotten so fucking bad that I almost never go anymore. That and the prices.

And with Hollyweird cranking out more retreads than ever, they're crying about box office receipts being so far down this year.

They (the MPAA) will undoubtedly blame the screeners.

mh

.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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I don't go in for fate or that kind of thing much, but isn't it interesting how so many "special needs" children are born to "special abilities" parents? (I hope that came out "right".) Good on you for exposeing your kids to as much of the world as possible.
James

I don't think any of us parents were born with better coping skills...the little 'uns kinda taught us...

It's odd, really. When we decided to have kids all I really prayed for was healthy babies. A physical deformity was ok, but I just begged never to have a mentally handicapped child. I knew I couldn't handle it.

-I got two of them.

There is no doubt in my mind that God answers prayers; it's just kinda funny how he answers them sometimes...

Me: "Please Lord, I'm not capable of raising a special needs child. Healthy kids is all I ask."

God: "Sure you are, girl! Here's two of 'em to prove it."

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[tigra 0]

At least one church I went to as a kid had a room just like that!

[wingnut 0]

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The base theater at Bitburg, Germany had just such a room when I was there in the early 80s

it was still there in 2001..........

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"