7-Year-Old Denied Access To Fair Ride Over Medical Head Scarf

[The Straight Story]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -

Izzy Harris is just like any other 7-year-old girl. She enjoys fashion, spending time with her family and exploring the world around her.

On Sunday, she and her family took a trip to the Ohio State Fair; but the fun filled day quickly turned sour for Izzy when she attempted to ride "The Scorpion."

"As I approached to a distance where I could engage in the conversation, the ride operator was pressing his filthy hand onto my daughter's bandanna clad head. He gave her an ultimatum to remove her bandanna or she couldn't ride," Izzy's mom, Sarah Springer, told NBC4 in an email.

Springer said the scarf is necessary. It covers the scars and lesions on Izzy's head, which are caused by a condition called Hay-Wells Syndrome.

Hay-Wells Syndrome is a rare inherited disorder that causes sparse, coarse, wiry-hair.

"This particular disorder affects the skin on her scalp and has left her with a large amount of scar tissue, alopecia and some areas of incurable and irreparable lesions" said Springer. "I wrap her head and gauze and conceal the gauze with one of her many bandannas daily."

http://www.nbc4i.com/story/22966053/7-year-old-denied-access-to-state-fair-ride-over-medical-head-scarf

[Nye Bevan]

1. I feel really bad for her, but it's better that she is not allowed to ride,

than for her headscarf to cause her to be sucked into the machinery.

[Brickbat]

2. Sounds like the operator knew what he was talking about.

[rocktivity]

3. It's not discrimination

if there's a legitimate reason why no one is allowed to wear headgear on the ride.


rocktivity

[MineralMan]

4. There's an important safety reason for that prohibition.

Safety comes first. It's too bad for the child, but I suppose it's better that she not be injured or killed on the right, eh?

[Shrike47]

5. Sad for the child but it sounds like a valid safety concern.

[IrishAyes]

6. There's not necessarily a legitimate safety issue here

But if there is - IF - then it would probably extend more to flowing scarves. Did Izzy's scarf flare out behind her or was it more like a skull cap? Also, what about persons with long, flowing hair? Are they banned from riding? Doubtful. Sounds a little fishy to me. If there's a general ban on head scarves, have you thought of the possibility it might be there to keep away certain religious/ethnic groups? If the ride's machinery is exposed and close enough to patrons to entangle normal length hair, which might be expected to blow about in the wind, then the ride's improperly designed in the first place and therefore IT should be banned entirely.

[COLGATE4]

7. A solution in search of a problem nt

[IrishAyes]

8. Exactly what do you mean?

Not fair to toss out enigmas. People who do so are frequently just looking for a chance to harangue others for not understanding or appreciating their alleged wit. Not saying that applies to you, but it happens all too often. The way bullies will accuse their targets of not being able to take a joke.

[COLGATE4]

9. I think you are imagining that there is

a problem which in reality doesn't exist.

[IrishAyes]

23. A nonexistent problem between us? or

a nonexistent problem for Izzy?

If you feel the problem's nonexistent for this sick little girl, then I can assure you there's a genuine problem between myself and anyone who doesn't care about her plight. You've been extremely unclear and ambiguous.

[SrhSprngr]

10. Here's the facts.

Izzy's bandana is tightly tied to hold down the gauze and ointment used to protect her scalp from outside elements. She has suffered through countless staphh infections and cellulitis that required intravenous antibiotic treatment for a number of days.

It is not flowing. It is not worn to make her appear taller. The bandana and sterile gauze fail to even measure up to 1/8" when worn. The top of her scalp is void of hair. Most people will agree it doesn't affect her height enough to excuse the operators behavior. You can see that on her Facebook page in her pictures- https://www.facebook.com/BusyIzzyB?ref=br_tf. That bandana is no more dangerous than someones natural hair.

And there is no reason for any grown adult to tell a child to remove a medical device unless it poses a threat to themselves or others.

I am her mother and I know the facts. I understand people will be unbiased and plays devil's advocate here. I do appreciate the outpouring of support and getting her story out there.

Regardless of your opinion, there is no reason an adult should make a child feel humiliated for something beyond their own control.

[Mr. David]

13. Let me be the first to welcome you to DU.

And I would like to contribute a bit of money towards research for curing Hays-Wells.

Would you point me to the link to do that?

Thank you!

Mr. David

[SrhSprngr]

14. NFED

The NFED (National Foundation For Ectodermal Dysplasias) is the best one I know of.

Their website is- [link:http://www.nfed.org/|

[Mr. David]

21. A contribution will be made this weekend in honor of your daughter.

thank you.

[The Straight Story]

15. Thank you for the reply

Live in Columbus myself (so the fair is big news here) and it was on the local news and thought it was a rather crappy decision.

[KittyWampus]

18. Hope she finds some relief in the future! She is adorable.

[MADem]

22. Is it tied under her chin, or wrapped and tied round her neck so it's not going anywhere, ever?

If it's tied round the top of her head, it could, no matter how tightly you tie it, come loose with the right forces at play.

I feel terribly for this young lady, but having had personal experience of items (a very tight cap and my snug-fitting glasses) going flying on a ride at an amusement park many years ago, before they had rules like "don't wear this or that" and "you must be this tall..." (I managed to catch both, a small miracle--my reflexes aren't usually that good) and hanging on for dear life the rest of the way, I can understand why the operator did this. Things DO sail off on rides--it's not an uncommon event.

The operator, too, has his marching orders, and he's gotten the "liability lecture." He's not going to risk his job by making an exception.

The ride operator should never humiliate anyone, least of all a child, and if his conduct was surly or unkind in refusing the young lady, that should be addressed with his supervisor.

[lynne]

11. Really unfortunate but some rides have rules for a good reason -

- and better that she not ride so as to prevent any possible injury.

My son was not allowed to ride his favorite fair ride at age 4 as he'd grown too tall. He was a tall boy, all his friends of the same age were on the ride, but my son was over the height allowance. There were tears and I was upset, too, but they explained it was for his safety. I'm glad I didn't push the issue, we just moved on to a ride that he was allowed on.

[SrhSprngr]

12. But ...

There were no requirements for anything being worn on the head.

[NewThinkingChance40]

16. Everyone is afraid of being sued

It should be up to the parent, if you say it is ok for her to ride the ride because you know that the bandanna is ok for it, then she should've been allowed. However, they are probably afraid that something might happen on the ride and she would be injured because of whatever reason and they would get sued for allowing it. I can understand both points here, but I still think it was wrong of them to do that. She should've been allowed to ride.

[loli phabay]

19. nope not up to the parent, its up to the operator of the ride

They have a better idea of the mechanics of the ride and experience with stuff happening that they can and should make the call on who rides as long as it reaches the minimum standards set by the authorities.

[burnodo]

20. sounds like an unnecessary overreaction