Disabled 7-year-old ejected from theater - UGH! What are people thinking?

[Debi]

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.

<snip>

Explanations aside, Pratti has a simple message for the manager she says publicly humiliated her son:
"Shame on you."




http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/08/18/laughter.htm

[LisaM]

1. Loews = Carlyle Group

Excuse my language, but what a bunch of fuckers. I hope the whole family got all their money back.

[rfranklin]

4. No, they should sue for discrimination against the handicapped...

If anyone should have been escorted out, it should have been the people who complained.

[Debi]

8. The family is talking with lawyers

I doubt they want to make a profit off of this....rather educate the theater owners on respect for all individuals!

[Debi]

5. The article says they got their money back....

But there's bigger problems when a little boy with CP is treated with such malice!

[Chicago Democrat]

103. A good lawsuit.... Basically worse than being the back of the bus

Not even able to be on the bus!

[Debi]

105. Read the whole thread

Some posters feel that the manager and movie goers are the ones who have been wronged by the disabled boy's noise.

Shame on him and his family

[bleedingheart]

2. That is just horrible.

[Pithlet]

3. Shame on that manager.

That's just awful.

[AlCzervik]

6. Thats disgusting and inexcusable.

[LynneSin]

7. I have a feeling young Andrew will have free movie passes for life

by the time we're all done humiliating the movie theater!

[Debi]

9. And he can make as much noise as he wants!

I'm able to walk/talk/think without any assistance - none of us can know what it's like to not be able to do all the 'normal' things in life and to have someone point out GLARINGLY that you are different is incredible!

[short bus president]

10. only the family's opinion is given as to the level of disruption

I am hesitant to tar and feather the theater without hearing their side. If the child was being a nuisance and interfering with the abilities of other customers to enjoy the show they paid to see, I would assume the theater is within its rights to have ejected the child. They are not automatically horrible monsters for enforcing their rules.

[Debi]

14. It was a kid's movie with kids making noise

but you may be right. We'll also keep the disabled out of restaurants so us normal people don't have to watch them eat and have that disturb our dinners. Let's keep them from our stores so us normal people can get more clothes racks in for the sales. Keep them out of our schools so our normal kids don't have to learn empathy. :eyes:

[short bus president]

20. ya know what... edited.

'cuz I don't wanna get into a flamewar for pointing out that the story as presented is biased to achieve an emotional (not rational) response from the reader.

[Debi]

27. Because it's not rational to allow individuals with a disability

respect?

fine by me.

Oh, and nice pic guess that should've tipped me off right away!

[Pithlet]

28. As if it were ever perfectly rational

to kick a 7 year old out of a children's movie for laughing too loud. If this were an adult movie in the evening, I'd understand. But, I just can't think of too many scenarios that would justify this.

[Debi]

29. Maybe in today's Ownership Society

people with disabilities need to stay at home so the normal folks can enjoy the utopia they've created!

[Pithlet]

34. It's ridiculous, isn't it?

Compassion and understanding are such unreasonable expectations out of our fellow human beings, apparently.

There is a reason I never take my child to the movies. He has some developmental issues, and while I would certainly never take him to an adult movie in the evening out of consideration to fellow patrons, it's pretty sad that I can't even take him to a child's movie during the day because of assholes like the manager in this story and the people who probably complained which led to the kid getting kicked out. I don't want to run the risk of that happening, because I can guarantee you it would have turned out much worse than it did in the story in the OP.

[Debi]

39. When people sit in the seats next to the wheelchair seating

without a person in a wheelchair I don't think twice before asking them to move (I've never had someone say no, most times they're embarrassed that they didn't think that someone in a wheelchair would come in).

Why don't people have the say reaction to children with special needs?

[Pithlet]

46. Self centered seems to be the rule of the day

It seems more people expect, no, demand that they should go through life without ever having to consider anyone else, and that little bumps in the road, like 7 year old boys in wheelchairs laughing too loudly, are to be harshly and immediately dealt with so their own precious existence isn't inconvenienced.

To the claims in this thread that this story is one-sided and we don't know enough: Unless this article is indeed too one sided, and that little boy was also flinging rocks at other patrons with his sling shot, and the article conveniently forgot to leave some important detail like that out, I stand by everything I've said. Anyone who complained to management about the poor kid, and the management that threw him out, are selfish, self centered asses.

[Debi]

49. Welkome to Amerika!

Where you better be smart, pretty, athletic and good at your given profession (or really, really rich) or we'd prefer you stay at home (you're cluttering up our view of the promised land!)

[frylock]

57. i agree..

I think the Nazis were spot on with their principle of existence without life. I think we would all be better off as a society if these people were systematically eradicated. It's the humane thing to do.

[Debi]

62. I'll PM you my address so you can take care of the situation n/t

[Pithlet]

22. Anyone who takes their child to a daytime showing of a kids movie

and expects a quiet audience is a fool. I'd much rather share my children's movie experience with exuberant children than fools. Kicking a disabled 7 year old out of a children's movie for laughing too loud is despicable, and I don't think we need to have actually been a witness to come to that conclusion.

[Left Is Write]

100. I completely agree.

[sleipnir]

24. I agree. It's hard to tell what exactly happened.

I'd like to hear the other side of the story. And for all you out there, March of the Penguins is not automatically a "kids movie," far from it. When I went to the theater to see this film it was 85% adults. I bet there's a good chance that there weren't as many kids in the theater as we are assuming.

Regardless of disability, I hate disruptions at the theater. Phones, talking, etc. Though, laughing too loud seems a bit unusual. I can't say I've ever encountered that in a theater.

It's a reality that some people's disabilities can cause others to become legitimately annoyed or angry. It may not be appropriate or right in the "holy than thou" approach some here want to implement, but it's true.

As usual, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. My guess is the kid probably was being disruptive to a degree, but it probably didn't necessitate him being thrown out.

[Debi]

30. Please let me know if my child's wheelchair bothers you in public

That way I can keep him home so that he doesn't disrupt your existance.

Am I fucking reading this crap?

[KamaAina]

42. Great Scott! What if he starts posting on DU? (sarcasm)

Then he'll have a wheelchair avatar and stuff (there really is one) and it'll be in all the forums and everything. What are we supposed to do then?

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[Debi]

51. Maybe if we ignore him long enough he'll go away!

And head back to the wheelchair land that I found him in!

Every night (and I mean every single night for the last 16 years) I help my son get ready for bed and help him get in to bed. There are some nights when I'm already asleep and he has to wake me up. There are some nights when I am sick and feel like I'm going to throw up and I have to do it. There are some nights that I think about the fact that the majority of mothers of 16 year olds don't even know what time their kid went to bed. But for me...every night I help my son get ready for bed and I help him get in to bed. And for the rest of my life I will be doing that.

Don't feel sorry for him or me, but please don't kick him out of the theater if he laughs too loud at a movie.

[tigereye]

135. you have nothing but my respect and admiration

as someone who has worked with a lot of kids with special needs, I am horrified that this child was asked to leave a theater with his family. Why can't he enjoy the film like everyone else. I am always upset by people's ignorance in these matters. That's just sad.

[LostinVA]

75. Yeah, you're reading this crap.... WTF???

A disabled child's "too loud" laughter is not the same as some ass chatting on a cell phone. Give me a break... I am appalled I'm reading this on DU. It is rendering me about speechless... what can I say to this?

And, the poster up thread is right: if you go to any movie rated less than "R" during the day and during summer vacation or on the weekend, there's gonna be kids, and it may be noisy.

[Debi]

79. And yet, my husband can still fall asleep during the shows..

But I won't let him snore...don't want to disrupt anyone!

[Pithlet]

31. March of the Penguins is a family movie.

It isn't Saving Private Ryan. I don't think it's reasonable to expect a perfectly quiet audience. If an adult wants to enjoy a kid friendly movie in quiet, they can pick a late showing or wait till it comes out on DVD. Not insist that a disabled 7 year old get kicked out. I don't think it's all that reasonable to expect other human beings to have some frigging compassion, and there is nothing holier than though about that. Any adult that would whine and cry about the 7 year old in the wheel chair ruining their movie going experience at a family movie is beyond contemptible.

[Hugin]

25. If you've ever seen the "disabled" section in theaters...

They are way up in the back and to one side usually.

This makes me extremely angry.

[Debi]

33. Now the theaters are putting them in front and have cutouts

so that friends/family can sit with the people in wheelchairs. The theaters we have gone to have come along way to accepting all individuals...but some of the people on this board? They have a long way to go :eyes:

[Hugin]

35. Sure looks that way.

It's a sad, sad, day.

If anyone needs me I'll be out trying to make
Anthony laugh.

:)

[Debi]

40. I'll be there with you....is there room for another child in a wheelchair

:hi:

[KamaAina]

44. Theaters have come a long way because they've been dragged there

by the Department of Justice, which surprisingly is still enforcing the ADA. The newer stadium seating theaters in particular have been the subject of a raft of complaints from wheelchair users, who often get stuck all the way up front so that they have to crane their necks -- if they can! -- in order to see the screen.

edit: spacing in subject line

[Debi]

52. But I gotta tell ya

up front is 100% better than waaaaay in back like it used to be.

Wish we could do an in the middle thing, that would mean that people in wheelchairs are part of the crowd...included...oh my, accepted?

[LostinVA]

77. A theater here used to have the wheelchair area next to the trashcan

I mean RIGHT next to it. A coworker's partner uses a wheelchair, and she said it made her sick -- her partner would have to sit by herself next to the trashcan...

[Debi]

80. Like I said, it's gotten WAY better.

Now people in wheelchairs can fit nicely in to theaters....they just aren't allowed to make too much noise :eyes:

[LostinVA]

122. Especially seven-year-old kids n/t

[eyesroll]

11. Wow, when I saw MotP, the theater was full of kids.

Little ones. Squirmy ones. Shrieky ones (the almost-3-year-old I was with shouted to the heavens when she exited the theater briefly with her father, "It's okay, Stacie, we're not going home, we're just going potty.") And, yes, giggly ones. I have no idea if any of the children had disabilities, but it's possible.

What moron kicks a kid -- disabled or not -- out of any G-rated matinee for laughing? How is that possibly a disruption in a room full of other kids? I could understand if it was a 10 pm showing of "Schindler's List" or something. This is ridiculous.

[Shakespeare]

12. I would MUCH rather hear a child laughing "too loudly"

...than put up with some ass hat behind me yapping to his seatmate all through the movie. How disgraceful.

[Debi]

16. Or on their cell phone!

:grr:

[Not_Giving_Up]

13. Where is this manager when the people with the screaming baby

are in the row in front of me?

Seriously, this was a KID flick. Most kids tend to be loud and talkative during a movie. This child couldn't help it, and I doubt that he was being that annoying to the other patrons. Maybe the theater can arrange special showings for this child so that he can have the place to himself and enjoy himself.

[AlCzervik]

15. When i saw "Saving Private Ryan" there were a few people that

brought toddlers with them, you can only imagine what that was like and it took a good hour for the management to do anything.

[Not_Giving_Up]

21. I don't get those people

When I go to a non-kid movie, the kids go to grandma's or stay with their friends. Years ago, we saw Twister in the theater. Every time a twister hit, this little kid would scream bloody murder and howl for ten to fifteen minutes. I complained, but they didn't do anything.

[Debi]

41. Except for the fact that separate but equal flies in the face of the ADA

I understand that some people think that it would be better for the disabled to have a 'special' place where they can go to have fun or be themselves, but why the segregation? Why don't we encourage a society that is accepting of people different than ourselves? That may mean a disruptive child at a theater or a messy eater at a restaurant or a wheelchair in a shopping mall. We need to learn to co-exist.

(I think I just went off on a rant on you and didn't mean to direct it at you. A private showing is a thoughtful gesture, but it would continue to isolate this young man from the society that is supposed to be embracing him).

[miss_kitty]

17. That's nasty

A matinee, with kids at a family movie-I always expect noise. It's what kids do, handicapped or not.

[gypsy11]

18. That's really terrible

That poor family. What the hell is wrong with this country? Why are people so mean?

[Debi]

43. We're self absorbed and being lead by selfish people

We're learning all about survival of the fittest from the very people who are supposed to be governing us (both politically and religiously).

It's up to those of us who can duck when they 'catapult the propaganda' at us to continue to teach REAL compassion and acceptance.

[cloud9]

19. I wonder how loud many cell phone user were kicked out?

Probably none.

Disgusting!!!!!

[cdsilv]

26. my 16 y.o. has been deaf from birth.....

...and never in all the times we've went to the movies (mostly matinees) has anyone objected to her 'hoots' and 'bleeps' (deaf people can be quote loud at times...).

I'd probably have ended up in jail if someone tried to kick us out
due to her making noise.

I hope the family nails the theatre.

I mean what are parents of the disabled supposed to do? Just lock them up where no-one else has to deal with them?

[Debi]

38. Yes we are (apparently)

Because this society of consumers expect the best from their entertainment dollars and no disabled person is going to ruin their evening!

Come to think of it, I don't like captions for the deaf or those damn little bumps on stuff for the blind. They BOTHER me so get rid of them and keep them off MY entertainment. :wtf:

Sorry about all the wheelchair ramp stuff....we'll put the stairs back now...more aesthetically pleasing.

[Hugin]

23. We should take up a collection...

To buy up all the seats in a theater for a showing of
"March of The Penguins" so Anthony can laugh all he
wants!

Wouldn't that be GREAT!

I claim dibs on acting like a vulture over that
"Manager's" shoulder!

[Debi]

45. I say we get a new job for the manager at some snotty country club

where he had to cater to rich egotists every whim.

"James, the ice in my drink is not round....I had square ice....fix it".

heh heh

[Hugin]

91. Oooo... Yer an evil one Ms. Grinch.

But, 'tis okay!

[Debi]

104. Read on...I've totally given up

It seems that there are far more intelligent people here with better writing skills that feel that little boy should NOT be in a public theater.

Let 'em be victorious, God how sad this thread has become.

[Hugin]

112. Awe, Debi...

Don't let them get you down... Remember, I'm on your side!

I've noticed an air of selfishness lately.

It makes me worry... Have we all become "Mean"?

Just like the Shrubberator?

He's downright mean.

Let's not become that... Let's be different.

Let's welcome diversity.

Let's honor the handicapped for the challenges they
face and overcome each day of their lives!

For crying out loud! Is *this* America, or *isn't* it?

[Debi]

117. Yes, we have become self centered and selfish

And I just can't cope with that.

I'd rather this thread dissapear than keep trying to convince people to accept people with differences (even if that is uncomfortable). You'll see fantastic examples in the thread that have worked at convincing me that I was a fool to think society as a whole could accept anyone other than the fair-haired, football playing, above average American male as standared.

:eyes: *sigh*

[Pithlet]

134. For the lounge

the fact that only a couple have posted that this might have been a reasonable action is saying a lot. Normally, any controversial issue that divides DU member erupts into a huge flame war with many on both sides. Think children in restaurants :) I think the small turnout of nay sayers is a pretty good indication of how DU feels about this. Don't let them get you down.

[Shell Beau]

32. Are you serious? What total bullshit!

And she was right, they should be ashamed of themselves. :mad:

[hobo_baggins]

36. March of the Penguins isn't exactly a movie kids would get super loud at

I'm not saying it was right or wrong to eject the kid, but we have no idea what level of distraction this kid was. I'm sympathetic to his disability but when people go to a movie, even a kids one, theres a certain amount of peace that should be expected. And I don't think that this kid would be ejected if his level of disruption was that of the other kids in the theatre, there were probably numerous complaints...and the article is obviously biased.

[Shell Beau]

37. But why should he be denied to see a movie? All

kids can get rowdy. He can't help it. It is wrong. Period. And I haven't seen the movie, but kids can get loud at anything.

[Debi]

48. And we should have at least an ounce of compassion for people

who aren't perfect.

I can't believe that people are posting that it's fine this kid got kicked out. What kind of society are we building here?

[Shell Beau]

50. I can't believe it either! It is total bullshit! There is no

excuse!

[Debi]

53. Um, arragoance? n/t

[Shell Beau]

54. Well it certainly says a lot

about someone when they have no compassion for those who are disabled. Espcially for children who are trying to live a "normal" life.

[Debi]

56. It is certainly a catch-22

As funding for individuals with disabilities is being removed from schools (not that it ever reached the level it should have) yet the children are being tested as if they performed at a typical child's level :eyes:

As the ADA is being whittled away (sometimes by people abusing the law to get out of work and sometimes by conservative 'activist' judges). :eyes:

And as people like Clint Eastwood (who, when his restaurant was faced with an ADA compliance law suit helped create a law that gives restaurant owners time to comply before being found in non-compliance - why the hell weren't they in compliance in the first place) or the court that cited the man who uses a wheelchair in contempt because he couldn't get to a second floor courtroom (no elevator access).:eyes:

Our society is demanding that people with special needs act and look and learn and perform professionally like the average american. Just look at some of the responses on this thread. :eyes:

[Shell Beau]

58. I have never heard of the court and wheelchair thing, that

is horrible. It is so screwed up.

[Debi]

63. the building was old enough to fit on the historical register

which kept it from having to comply with ADA. There were first floor courtrooms that were accesible so there were really no problems 'usually' but for whatever reason THIS court was on the second floor and they wouldn't hear the man's arguments otherwise. I'll search for it if you want.

[Shell Beau]

64. I believe you, but it is unbelievable that in this

day and age, that kind of stuff is still going on.

[Debi]

66. Yeah, but then you read some of the posts here and you realize

how far we have to go.
*sigh*

[Shell Beau]

67. Absolutely! It is really sad!

[KamaAina]

93. That's Tennessee v. Lane. Guess what? It was a 5-4 decision.

Guess what else? The swing vote was... O'Connor.

Guess what else? Squeaky-clean, square-jawed Roberts has a lengthy track record of opposing ADA.

:scared: :scared: :scared:

[Debi]

109. Great

so society will continue to move forward!

Damn disabled people.

Just read some of the posts on this thread and know that I'll be dead before my child is accepted in today's society!

Makes me sad.

[petronius]

72. I think what people are posting

is that this story is written to give the impression that the kid was kicked out for being different - that he was maliciously discriminated against for being in a wheelchair. That may be exactly what happened, but it is based entirely on the parents description of events. Personally, I know very few parents who accurately describe/assess their childrens behavior, especially when they feel they've been wronged. In this case, the manager may have been way out of line, or the child may have been truly disruptive. I don't think it signifies a flawed society to want to hear the theater's explanation before breaking out the tar and feathers...

[Debi]

76. So, should a child who cannot control his verbal reactions

be kept from the public? Should we continue, as a society, to keep people who make us cringe or shrug or not enjoy a movie locked up and at home?

[petronius]

83. Like I said, we don't know enough about this situation

Was he chuckling in a different key from the other kids, or was he screaming at the top of his lungs for 15 straight minutes? I can imagine situations where the manager here was right, and I can imagine situations where the manager was wrong. Until we know more, I'm not going to jump on the condemnation train, and I think that's all others on this thread have been saying.

As far as I can tell, no one on this thread (or this board) has come anywhere close to suggesting that those who make us "cringe" should be "locked up at home." However, there are limits to what behavior is and is not appropriate in certain situations, and those limits are highly contextual. Individuals abilities and personal conditions should absolutely be taken into account, and it is never wrong to err on the side of compassion, but not to an infinite degree.

(If you will forgive a personal aside, it seems to me that you are pretty angry on this thread - personally, I've found that when I post in anger I find myself making assumptions and posting accusations that I regret upon later review. YMMV, of course...)

[Debi]

87. I've found that sometimes it takes something like this event

to change what is a person's comfort zone.

I don't want to be bothered by stairs or bathrooms that wheelchairs can't fit in. I don't want to be bothered by stores with sales racks too close together that my son can't shop with me. I don't want to be bothered with people parking so damn close to our car that we can't get my son's wheelchair up to the door. I don't want to be bothered with curbs at every intersection and those cute little one-steps into buildings. I don't want to be bothered with drinking fountains and counters that are over my son's head at fast food restaurants and gas stations. AND I'M SICK OF BEING STARED AT!

So, yes, I'm angry, because some very selfish people can't let a kid who makes too much noise at a movie just be at the movie. And I may be very much in the wrong, but after 16 years of having to give able bodied people the benefit of the doubt, I've decided this time to give the disable person my voice and support.

No offense to you or anyone else who would rather be more comfortable without the hassle of the disabled messing up your social outings. Some of us don't have much of a choice in the matter.

[petronius]

95. Well, as long as you said "no offense", then I guess it's cool...

I don't disagree with anything in your first full paragraph. And of course, you are free to make all the assumptions you want. I do hope you'll post an update later - I'm curious to see how this story plays out...

[Debi]

47. Those damn disabled people thinking they have a right to co-exist

in our society.

We need to train them up to me more like us normal folk before we let 'em loose!

Damn straight, keep the people different from us out of our theaters, churches, restaurants and schools!

:eyes:

[northzax]

55. and, on the flip side

there needs to be a recognition that not all people can do all things. The manager handled this one poorly, no doubt. But, if your behaviour reduces the enjoyment of the other people in the theatre (and we have no idea how how much noise he was making, do we? the only voice in the article is his mother, not really an unbiased source) Is there a point that loud laghter can be a disturbance to a reasonable person? certainly. maybe he was being too loud and disruptive, and denying other people the enjoyment of their 9 bucks worth. It could be the case, and if that is the case, then he should have been asked to leave the theater. Just as anyone else creating an unreasonable auditory disruption would be, disabled or not. I have a cousin who loves movies. The only problem is, he cannot help but yell at the screen anytime there is something wrong with the plot, or an anachromism, or someone says something stupid. So we only take him to empty theaters. I'm used to it, and know he can't really help it due to causes beyond his control, but it's something that is unreasonable to expect someone else, who has paid the same amount of money to watch a movie, to put up with. So both sides compromise. What's wrong with that?

[Pithlet]

60. This was a matinee showing of a family movie

If this were a regular showing of a movie with adult appeal, I'd be with you 100%. I do believe there should be different expectations for both things. If someone doesn't want to run the risk that they may not hear all of the movie, then a family oriented showing where children will be present may not be the best idea.

I do think society is becoming entirely too selfish. If I had been at that particular movie with my family, and my kids complained, I would have seen it as an opportunity to teach my kids, instead of insisting that management throw the kid out. I honestly can't understand the mindset of someone who would do something like that.

[Debi]

61. Yep, keep the disabled away from the rest of society and the problem is

fixed.

Keep the black people out of our white restrooms and away from our white lunch counters.

Keep the indians out of our schools, they have their own on their reservations.

Those people using wheelchairs shouldn't need to go upstairs in buildings or cross the street (ever).

I mean, what's wrong with that Governor Wallace?

Maybe isolation works for your family but I refuse to keep my child away from a society he has every right to participate in (and it's now illegal to bar him from that society).

I have a friend with downs syndrome, when his mother sings in the choir at church he sits with my family (yes, our church is wheelchair accessible - and we sit with the congregation, not in back or waaay up front)- he sings too loud and sometimes shouts at the Priest. We've never asked him to leave. Maybe we should so that other people can enjoy the service. After all, they got up on Sunday morning and took the time to go to church, they contribute to our church and should be allowed to worship without unreasonable auditory disruption. Next time I'll ask him to go outside so the able bodied people can get their money's worth.

[northzax]

68. you are right

black people and native americans are equivalent to the disabled. that's what you're saying, right? can I put that, attributed to you, in my sig line?

You charge for church? 9 bucks a head? wow, you are inclusive. since your church is equivalent to a movie theater, that's the going rate, right?

There are minimum standards of behaviour in a movie theater, there is a reasonable expectation that you will not be disruptive to other patrons by making excessive noise, whether or not you are doing it intentionally or not that threshold varies, obviously, from showing to showing, movie to movie. In the mother's own words, he was louder than the other children. How much louder? that's the point, we don't know. but it was loud enough, and disruptive enough, so that a: someone took the bother to complain and b: the theater gave the family a refund when they asked them to leave. That leads me to suspect this boy's behaviour was not appropriate to the rest of the audience or the film. That's what sets the community standard. If you are unable, for whatever reason, to aviod serious disruption of other people around you, making it impossible for a reasonable person to get their money's worth, then you shouldn't be there. period. That's the standard, from my perspective, whether it is disruptive to a reasonable person.

a baby crying in a movie? a reasonable person could complain, the sound is an integral part of the ticket price. a baby srying on an airplane? no luck complaining, the auditory environment is not integral to your value, only getting you safely to your destination is.

the rest of your commentary is simply offensive and not worth responding to.

[Pithlet]

69. It's a kid's movie

Anyone who would kick a disabled child out of a kid's movie for laughing too loud is an ass. It really is that simple. You want to turn it into some consumer's rights cause, and it's ludicrous. This isn't about the right of a person to enjoy a movie they paid for. It's about people not getting so bent out of shape that a disabled child laughing is cause for action.

[northzax]

70. I noted that there are different standards of behaviour

so frankly, he must have been very disruptive to have been kicked out of a kid's showing of a G rated movie.

[Pithlet]

71. I don't think so

I guess I'm a cynic. But, I know that there are enough assholes out there that it is very possible, and even likely, that this 7 year old autistic boy wasn't so disruptive that it justified kicking him out. For me, unless the child was physically disturbing others by hitting or throwing, there is no level of laughter (laughter! For crying out loud!) that would prompt me to insist he get kicked out.

This was an autistic little boy in a wheel chair enjoying the hell out of a movie about penguins. He would practically have to be blaring through an air horn before I'd even think about kicking him out.

I guess, since I'm a cynic, I shouldn't be so surprised that there are people who would think such actions are perfectly reasonable or explainable. I guess I shouldn't try to expect a little bit of compassion and understanding out of other people.

[Debi]

78. No, the mother's just being biased and trying to get our sympathy

what a wretched attention whore. She should take her disabled child home and out of our eyesight (and hearing) so we can get on with our lives .... pass the popcorn and keep it down now, I paid good money for these tickets!

[northzax]

88. right, that's exactly what I said

course, I didn't say black people are disabled, so I guess we're even.

hyperbole is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

[Debi]

94. You got me beat

You're quicker and wittier than me. You can write better too!

You should feel very good about yourself that you were able to stand up for the rights of all those who have no disability and just want to enjoy their movies without interruption.

Those are the people who need the most protection.

[Pithlet]

96. You didn't say that. Neither did she.

You're being disingenuous. But, it's easy to do, that hyperbole stuff. I'll give it a shot: Maybe next time you'll get to be the one to righteously wheel the little kid out of the theater for laughing too loud at the kids movie; I'm sure you'd enjoy that... How's THAT for hyperbole? How's that for twisting the other person's viewpoint? You probably didn't like that much, did you? Good thing I wasn't being serious.

If you want to pick a thread about a little boy in a wheelchair being wheeled away for laughing too hard to discuss consumer's rights in the movie theater, then fine. I just don't know why you're all that shocked at the result.

[northzax]

99. silly me

I thought it was possible to have a discussion on a discussion board. And yet, every post I make is responded to with a blanket statement extending a comment on a specific incident to an entire group of people. so I returned the favour. I notice you aren't posting replies to any of her comments turning 'if you cannot behave in a manner in which you do not disrupt a reasonable person' into 'all disabled people must stay home at all times' why is that? why are you holding me to a different standard?

[Pithlet]

101. I'm holding you to the same standards I hold everyone else.

And I really don't think they're all that high. Treat people with disabilities with dignity, and make reasonable accommodations where needed. I think allowing a boy with CP to laugh a little louder than everyone else at a KIDS movie is well within reasonable bounds.

Your first post in this thread was reasonable, even if I may not have agreed with it. Since then you've been reacting with defensive arguments twisting everything she's been saying to you, instead of actually listening to what she has to say.

[northzax]

108. that's because she doesn't have anything to say

her reply to my first post was to compare me to George Wallace. That pretty much set the bar for the debate, don't you think?

[Pithlet]

111. I'd cut her a little slack

considering. Go back and read this thread again, from the beginning.

[northzax]

115. I did

by not alerting on the post in the first place, and trying to explain myself. obviously I failed.

[Pithlet]

120. How magnanimous of you

Truly, you are an inspiration.

[northzax]

125. I admit, it was a bad idea to try and discuss something

with someone who is not rational about it. bad idea on my part. that's why I've stopped responding.

[tigereye]

137. hey zax

put down your ax...;)

I think what she is saying is steeped in the difficulty that many parents of children and adults with disabilities have; that society has a very hard time being tolerant of those differences... i.e. behavior, loudness, poor social controls, all the things that most of us ( granted there are also children with no disabilities who might "act up" some in a theater) take for granted.

I have heard many of these types of stories from other parents of differently abled kids.

[northzax]

140. and I'm sympathetic

as I mentioned in the story about my cousin, we have learned that there are situations that he cannot be in without causing an unreasonable interference with other people. So we don't take him into those situations, to do so, frankly, would be to expose him to the possiblity of embarrassment. It's not reasonable, at this juncture in time, to expect him to watch a movie in a croweded theater, without imposing on other people's enjoyment of it to an unreasonable extent. There are many things that he can do, and, as he grows older, there are more and more things he can do. But there are some things he simply can't. So we make other arrangements.

i don't think that it is discriminatory in any way to expect that behaviour not unreasonably interfere with other people's enjoyment of a movie.

by the way, I am 6'6", and I am concious of the fact that I cannot sit in front of people in a non-stadium theater, it blocks their view. they paid the same amount I did, so in a crowded theater, I sit on the aisle, where I can slouch, or in the back. So yes, I do comport myself to not annoy other people to the greatest extent possible.

[Pithlet]

141. You just can't compare

Being a tall adult and the inconveniences that can sometimes entail (I'm tall, too, I know) to a child with disabilities as the child in the OP. Look, I think most intelligent, reasonable people understand that there are limits to what can be done to accommodate everyone. No one in this thread has ever argued otherwise. But, to expect silence at a children's movie during the day is a bit unreasonable in the best of circumstances, and downright discriminatory in the case of a disabled child. Removing a child from the theater during a KIDS movie doesn't even come CLOSE to reasonable accommodations for everyone else.

Yes, people are entitled to enjoy a movie they've paid for, but there are also reasonable limitations there. I don't think that loud laughter from a disabled child is all that much to expect for other people to tolerate during a family matinee showing of a kiddie movie.

[Pithlet]

142. Put it another way

The parents who took this little boy to see a movie during the day isn't even in the same ballpark as the tall person who sits in front of short people if there are other seats available. To suggest that parents taking their disabled little boy to a movie are being willfully inconsiderate to the other moviegoers is exactly the problem I have with your argument. Not to mention I personally think it's rude and obnoxious behavior to insist that child be removed. I mean, what kind of lesson is that teaching your own kids? If someone is disabled and bothering you, have them removed? That's real nice.

I don't think that a person's responsibility to be a decent and caring person flies out the window just because they bought a ticket.

[Debi]

74. Or the people who complained and the manager who kicked him out

don't believe the disabled should be out in public...keep 'em at home where they won't bother anybody.

[northzax]

86. there you go again

instead of addressing the issue at hand, you generalise a blanket statement and implying it came from me. I have never said that, and I don't agree with it.

Yes or no, there are no places in the world in which there are minimally accepted standards of behaviour, the violation of which is an infraction upon others? yes or no. Say, for instance, the boy with down syndrome you mentioned earlier in church. Say instead of down syndrome, he had a severe case of tourette's syndrome, and one of his triggers was the word 'jesus' every time he hears the word 'jesus' he yells, at the top of his lungs "FUCK YOU, WHORE OF BABYLON." Maybe, in that case, a church isn't the best place for him, right? Would you welcome into your son's class a student with uncontrollable violent urges? who would fall into rages and lash out violently at odd times, say every day? both are disabilities, and both are disruptive to reaonable people, in fact the latter is a danger to other people. Yes, I'm using extreme examples, but you say that there are no limits, at any time, on anyone, based on a disability. I ma pointing out that there are lines, that certain people, in certain circumstances, are unreasonably disruptive to others, and therefore, maybe should make the choice not to put themselves in that situation. you disagree, that's fine. I know people who fit both of those situations above, can I bring them to your church? enroll them in your son's classes?

but you are an absolutist. The world isn't actually black and white, you know? there are shades of grey. Commenting that certain people, with certain disabilities, and certain behaviour patterns should not be in certain situations is as far as you can get from a broad brush commentary on anyone else, with any other disability.

[Debi]

92. Funny you would mention school

because all disabilities are treated equal at my son's school. So, although he is not a behavior problem, he is in class with the students who scream, swear, kick and throw things solely because he is also disabled.

So it seems your extreme is in fact my son's actual existance right now.

But, just like I tire in the fight for equal rights for my child who doesn't fit in like all the typical school children. I'm tired of explaining myself to you.

Keep your cousin at home so as to not bother other people, we'll tell this mother to do the same with her son. That will solve the problem. We'll even throw a telethon and send all the disrubtive disabled kids to Disneyworld for one day and then we can count the donation as a tax deduction and feel like we've advanced the cause for equality for the disabled.

Funny how the disabled and their loved ones are supposed to suck it up while able bodied people can smuggly go on with their lives. Must be nice.

[northzax]

97. so that was a 'no'?

there are no places where there is a minimum standard of behaviour that should be met? none, whatsoever?

I'm a compulsive masturbator, can I come to your church and whip it out and take care of business? really? in sunday school? excellent.

I'm welcome? excellent. send me your church's address, I am totally coming. I can sit next to you, right?

it's funny, really. I am told, over and over again, to see disabled people as people. We all are. And yet, we aren't really supposed to. We get from you "oh, he's in a wheelchair, you can't expect him to behave." I'm sure you have behavioural expectations for your son, right? They may not be the same expectations as you might have for another child, but he is socialised, you said so. But it is unfair for anyone else to have any behavioural expectations for him? Are you saying that it is unreasonable to expect someone in a movie not to make too much noise, simply because they're in a wheelchair?

[Debi]

102. Jesus Christ I said you were right, YOU ARE RIGHT

GET THE LITTLE FUCKER OUT OF THE THEATER!!!

Are you happy? You are right and I am wrong, I am so wrong we should have standards for protocol and few exceptions. You are so right you should write those rules for society!

If I ask the mods to erase this thread will you be happy and get off my ass?

If I promise not to stand up for the rights of the disabled will you GET OFF MY ASS?

You are right, I was wrong to post that article and to voice my opinion. I failed at high school debate and you have won!!!

You are a bigger, better person than me. You are the winner!

Now, bask in the glow of your superiority.

[Pithlet]

107. He isn't worth getting this upset

He just doesn't want to listen to anything you have to say. It's the reason why so many still have problems with the disabled. They just want to be defensive and don't want to learn. Don't have this thread locekd or erased. It's an important lesson.

[Debi]

113. Except so many people don't want to change

They want to argue that the way it is today is the way it should be (even though society has continued to evolve toward inclusion)

After a while it gets so old and so tiring that it's useless.

What do I do when my child encounters someone who thinks the way things are is just fine? He's not as intelligent as I am, he'd get creamed by the "Ownership Society" bullies.

Let's let the internets eat the thread and let the high and mighty feel superior. Funny how we were taught (or at least I was) to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves (never thought I'd run in to so many people who would defend the rights of able bodied people vs. the disabled).

:shrug:

what a world

[Pithlet]

116. Just remember

that they're only a few. A vocal few, but a few nonetheless.

:hug:

I know, I worry about my child. He isn't school aged yet, but I do wonde how he'll deal with bullies. It isn't even immediately obvious that there's anything wrong with my son, so the way people react to him can be very frustrating. I often get looks as if I were some kind of bad parent.

[Debi]

123. I wish you well - and your son

My son's high school is pretty inclusive (he's in three special education classes and four general ed classes)

His peers are the most enlightened, kids who have been with him from birth. They don't think he's any different (except for his chair and his sometimes inability to grasp what is being said). They help him be part of what is going on around them. We are VERY VERY lucky.

The school is set up in such a way that he has to go from one end of the school to the other to use the elevator to go to classes up and down stairs (and he has to go outside to get in to the cafeteria). The teachers are nice enough not to mark him tardy when he's late from class because of the area he needs to cover and his friends help him carry his food tray to and from the table at lunch.

It really is a daily frustration and I should have just not brought it up here. Better to joke with sundog about his fluffy stuffed animal obsession than anything too meaningful!

:hug:

[Pithlet]

131. Thank you. Same to you.

We don't know yet the extent of things; he still has some tests to get through. But, it's clear I'll have to be his biggest, loudest advocate. It does give me hope to hear about your son, and how his classmates are with him. Maybe we're raising a new generation of people with differnt attitudes, despite what some of their parents may be teaching them.

[Hugin]

118. "speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves"

Bravo!

You've learned the lesson of life well Debi...

More than I can say for many of those around you.

It's a fight to be different... Let's not be like them!

They're mean, self-centered, and self-involved.

Let's honor those who's handicap make every living
moment a challenge! Let's welcome them among us!

You made me smile.

:)

[Debi]

124. I need to surround myself with good people

and the jerks won't seem so bad!

:hug:

thanks.

[Hugin]

126. You're very welcome...

As to your quote...

"speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves"

That used to be the motto of America and Americans...

Now, it seems to be.

"Whoever dies with the most toys in a silent movie theater
or in a child free lace and crystal restaurant wins."

I'm disgusted.

(Forgot to add: And I think your quote should appear
in every court house in the nation!)

[Debi]

128. Not the restaurant rant....

We'll be here forever!!!!

My son eats lunch with a girl who has cerebral palsy. She has a really rough time eating (gagging and drooling and sometimes even throwing up). But she wants to eat rather than use a feeding tube. So the kids at her table help her when they can and try to keep it cool when they get overwhelmed.

By the looks of this thread they shouldn't have to endure her eating habits at the expense of their own.

Maybe that's why I'm getting so incensed, I have a child who is a better human being than some of the posters on this thread!

:hug: Thanks again.

[Hugin]

132. Sorry...

What you say is true...

Sometimes they are better human beings. I guess they've
learned better than to think or believe in the idea of
Divine Providence.

No matter how healthy, rich, or beautiful one is... It
can change in an instant.

What made me the saddest about the O.P. is...

Just think if this is the only or the last movie
Anthony will ever see... Ahh, I can't think too far
down that path. It tears me up.

Well, I like GreenPartyVoter's religion in this case.
She told me she believes in the afterlife you must
relive your sins through the eyes of your victims.

There's going to be alot of pain for that theater
manager and many who have been bigoted toward others.

[tigereye]

139. but remember most people are tolerant as you say here

and that's a good thing.

[LostinVA]

130. Being disingenuous AGAIN

You must have a Ph.D. in this field!

masturbating in public is a crime. The little boy didn't commit a crime. He was enjoying himself at a movie with his family. Shame on you for comparing this.

The little boy WAS behaving. He was laughing at a cute movie, behavior and action that falls into the realm of "acceptable behavior." So what if he was cackling loudly or hugely? He was laughing, and it wa sn HONEST reaction. He wasn't doing anything bad. He WAS acting within the societal "norm."

Also, all parents I know of disabled kids DO expect their kids to behave. Again, shame on you for suggesting those disabled kids and adults are just law-breaking, more-breaking renegades. I work with a lady with severe CP who's in a wheelchair, and your saying this sickens me.

[Hugin]

133. Yeah, that was WAY over the top.

Wasn't it?

The whole argument against Anthony sickens me.

[Debi]

73. The society created by the people that founded this country

treated black people and native americans as nuisances until enlightened individuals changed the law. Disabled people have been treated as nuisances until enlightened people have changed the law. Now it is time for people living under the 'ME...ME...Me' era to step away from their podiums and accept people with differences. That may mean hearing a disabled boy laugh too loud at a movie. That may mean challenging community standards and removing the comfort zones from some areas in order to accept people of all abilities into social settings.

As for setting community standards, times and society have evolved, you should as well. PM me your addy and I'll send you nine bucks next time a disabled person disrupts your perfect world.

edited: forgot to spellcheck

[LostinVA]

81. Yes, they have been historically equivalent to the disabled

And I suspect you understand the point the poster's making. The disabled, Native Americans, Blacks, women, etc. have all been discriminated against, and often still are. Only laws have forced many people into literally allowing these groups to become a real part of society.

Every time something like this happens, it helps push that group of people back a little bit. Whether it's pharmacists not filling BC scripts, an employer not hiring someone because of their race, or a theater kicking out a kid with a disability.

I don't go to G-rated movies during the day or early evening because of possible kid noise. Hoverer, I sure as hell wouldn't complain to management about a kid in a WHEELCHAIR being disruptive. Jesus. That's beyond common decency, IMO. Sorry.

For the record, I am not disabled, and have no one in my family is in this "group." You don't have to, to see where this is wrong...

[Pithlet]

82. At a KID'S movie, no less.

The image of a little boy being wheeled out of a theatre for laughing too loud at the penguin movie he was enjoying just breaks my heart. I don't care how loud he was.

For me, his laughter would have just added to my enjoyment of the movie. I wouldn't expect that it would for everyone else, but I would expect them to have the decency to not remove that little boy.

[Debi]

84. .

:hug:

Thank you for understanding.

[northzax]

90. so if the kid wasn't in a wheelchair

and was being disruptive, you might complain? so we do have different standards of behaviour. interesting.

no, actually, I don't agree with the point the poster is making. She is saying that restrictions based on skin colour are equivalent to ones based on ability. And that is absurd.

"Sorry, sir, you can't get your learner's permit, you're black." is the same as "sorry sir, you can't get your learner's permit because you're blind and epileptic." Those two are not the same thing, sorry.

[Pithlet]

98. It absolutely is not absurd

to expect people with disabilities to be treated the same as everyone else. Her analogies hold up. Your little drivers license example is bullshit. No one would expect a blind person to drive any more than they'd expect a paraplegic to walk. However, they would expect that both would be treated with the same respect and dignity as everyone else. And a child should be able to enjoy his movie about penguins whether he's "normal" or has CP in a wheelchair. And anyone who would take him to task and wheel his little butt out of there for being too loud is NOT according him the same respect. You don't seem to be getting that for some reason.

[northzax]

106. you're are right

if there were other children being just as loud who weren't removed, then this family should own the movie theatre. Even in a children's movie, there is a point at which you can be too loud, and therefore unreasonably disruptive. If the theater tolerates behaviour from other children, and not this one, then that's wrong. We don't know how disruptive he was being, do we? maybe he was twice as loud as any other child? how do we know. That's why I keep throwing 'reasonable' into it. that's the standard. if you would kick out a 'normal' child for the same behaviour, then how is it showing someone 'respect' to say 'well, he's in a wheelchair, we can't expect him to behave at all' yes, the rope is longer, there should be a higher tolerance for everyone, no doubt. But there are standards, you say so yourself.

[Pithlet]

110. Because he isn't like the other children.

I can't believe that I had to point that out to you. Just as you wouldn't expect a paraplegic to walk, you wouldn't expect a CHILD with CP to be able to physically orientate his level of noise to everyone else's. Allowing him to stay and enjoy his little penguin movie isn't all that much of an injustice to the rest of the people in the theater.

[northzax]

114. it depends, doesn't it?

on how disruptive he is being. that's been my point the entire time. yes, he has every right to go to the movies that any other kid can go to. But he doesn't have the right to make an unreasonable disruption for the other people in the theatre. The key word is 'reasonable' if he can't watch a movie without making so much noise that others cannot enjoy it, then other arrangements should be made so he can see it without unreasonably disrupting other people.

[Pithlet]

119. You still don't get it.

Maybe this will help. This was a movie about penguins. Being played during the day, heavily targeted at people with families. In other words, he gets huge range in what is considered acceptable. In other words, he'd better be blasting his laughter through an airhorn while pelting people with raisonettes. Anything less, and it's cool. Understand? The kid gets to watch his movie about penguins.

Speaking generally, you may not always get to project what is considered reasonable onto people with disabilities. Just look at it as one other inconvenience of being an abled person.

[northzax]

121. nor, frankly, do you

there are times in the movie that are basically silent, it's not actually a comedy. one person'a laugh is another person's scream. The fact that he was asked to leave a child's movie leads me to believe that he crossed that line, and the theatre was either going to reimburse other patrons, or this family.

we've all been to kid's movies, we all know how seven year olds act. therefore you have to be VERY disruptive to be asked to leave. I'd bet this young boy met that standard. perhaps the theatre should have simply reimbursed everyone else for their tickets, I don't know.

[Pithlet]

127. You're right.

I don't. Which is why I'm willing to cut a little 7 year old boy with CPsome slack instead of insisting that he be removed right this instant so my "perfect little pweciouses who can run and play and lead "normal" lives can enjoy their movie god dammit!" Really. What kind of an ignorant bore would complain about a disabled child laughing gleefuly at the penguins on the big screen? I can't bring myself to empathize with them no matter how loud he was. Sorry.

I've been around long enough to know how contemptible many people find the disabled. So, I'm not so naive to think that this little boy had to be very disruptive to be kicked out. At any rate, I'm not going to get all that steamed up about it and argue with parents of disabled kids about the standards their children should be held to in a movie theater playing a movie about penguins, and not an evening showing of an oscar caliber film.

[LostinVA]

129. You just love being ingenious

If the kid was in a wheelchair, I'd KNOW there was a decent chance he was disabled. If he wasn't, and all he was doing was laughing like a banshee, I'd still not do anything, except maybe be kinda irritated.

Discrimination based on gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. ARE the same as discrimination against someone with disabilities. The poster isn't talking about restrictions, but disabilities. YOU are talking about restrictions.

If someone is blind, they can't drive a car, although deaf people can in most places. If you're over a certain age, you may also have to take a sight test. If you're under 18, you can't buy "Playboy. These things are restrictions. If you're female, you can't have the promotion, cause th guy with the family needs it is discrimination. If you're black, you can't go to our college is discrimination. Jewish? Get the hell out of my restaurant is also discrimination. Wheeling a disabled Little boy out of a theater for laughing too loud is ludicrous and discrimination. Was he causing harm or endangering the public? No. Was he running around the theater screaming? No. Was he throwing Milk Duds? No. He was laughing, maybe even shrieking with laughter. So bloody what. So do a million kids and adults a day. If people didn't like it, they should have been given a pass to come back later.

Oh, and I don't think a disabled child screaming "fuck" should be banned from church either. "Suffer the little children," and that's all children, not "perfect" Aryan kids.

Very strange to find such anti-disability sentiments on DU, especially when those sentiments are wrapped in consumer rights and other things.

DEbi, I'm off this thread -- good luck with this guy, and Goddess bless.

[northzax]

138. give other people passes to come back?

why reward their bigotry? if the child in question was not acting in an innapropriate manner, you can't complain and ask for passes to come back. The only time you can do that is when something is happening in the theater that a reasonable person would find interferes with their ability to enjoy the movie. If you refund his money, or you refund someone else's money, you are still saying that something was interfering with a reasonable person's enjoyment of the film. and in that case, why does the one trump everyone else?

[tigereye]

136. peace?

do you have kids? ;)

[zbdent]

59. Here's an interesting perspective on how people view the disabled

My wife was born with cerebral palsy. You might consider her high-functioning, since she walks with canes, and you wouldn't know any different if she was sitting next to you.

A few years back, a school friend of our niece's was involved in a major car accident. Was not expected to live.

He did. But it left him having to re-learn how to walk, talk, and do things.

He and my niece were supposed to graduate the same year. In fact, his name came right before my niece's. This person got a standing ovation as he was aided in walking across the stage to receive his diploma. Mind you, due to the amount of time he missed in school, this was a symbolic graduation. He ended up legitimately graduating two years later.

Not long after his graduation, we had my niece's graduation party. This courageous young man attended in his wheelchair. (The graduation had him almost carried across the stage - but it looked like he walked with aid).

My niece wanted me and my wife (whom the niece had known all her life) to meet this young man.

We had a good conversation, but it was tedious listening to his responses. He had to speak slowly and deliberately, due to his recovery. Thankfully, I have acquired much patience since those days when I was a kid.

My wife excused herself to use the facilities. She got up and, using her canes, walked into the house.

Once she was out of range of hearing, the young man asked ME what was the circumstances of my wife's condition. !!!!!!!!

My thought at that moment was "Someone like you probably has experienced being ignored while the person pushing your wheelchair is asked questions that you normally would answer! You idjit!"

But, of course, I guess that this guy was "normal" too long to have learned how to talk to people as if they were people . . .

BTW, my younger niece graduated this year, the same as this young man's official graduation. He was a friend of my younger niece also. He attended her graduation party also. He is still moving and talking slowly, but he is no longer using the wheelchair for shorter jaunts.

(My nieces were by marriage - no blood relation to me).

[Debi]

65. What's ironic about that story

is that my son not only uses a wheelchair he has some mental disabilties as well (but his social skills mask it and most people think he just 'can't walk')

When he talks to a person with a speech impediment or a severly mentally disabled person he gets flustered and sometime gives up (later telling me the person was 'too disabled' for his liking or has 'way big problems')

How can a kid in a wheelchair not have empathy for others with disabilities? He didn't get that at home!

:shrug:

[hyphenate]

85. A friend and I saw a movie about a month ago

and some idiots had a baby in the theatre who wouldn't shut up and stop crying the whole movie long. What made it even worse was that this was a 9:00PM film! I complained when we were leaving, and they gave us passes for another movie down the line.

My brother is in the same boat as this child, and if I knew the circumstances, I would not have bitched, especially during a matinee when there are usually a lot of kids around anyhow. But throwing them out was completely wrong. I would insist that the manager screen the film just for the family if he's going to be such a jerk about it.

[LissaM]

89. My ex-boyfriend and I

were at Shrek 2 when it came out a year ago, at a 3:30 show on a Saturday, the day after it came out. For some reason, all we heard was talking and laughing and kids saying, "Mom, Dad, more popcorn!" or whatever...

Yeah, I wished it were a little quieter in there but it was A KIDS MOVIE and it was DURING THE DAY!!!! It was OUR CHOICE to go to a freaking matinee. If we wanted silence, we would've gone to a ten o'clock showing of something else. It's to be expected, whether or not the child is in a wheelchair. That's not even the point of the story and shouldn't be the focus.

[Midlodemocrat]

143. I am going to lock this.

But, I have to say, I am amazed that a child in a wheelchair who exibited a bit of exuberance at a movie is the topic of a flamefest on DU.

Thanks.

DU Moderator