Disabled 7 yr old gets kicked out of theater.

[Shanti]

The boy has cerebral palsy and autism. The family said he was enjoying the movie from his wheelchair when a theater worker said he was laughing too loudly, and would have to leave. Gina Pratti said they would try to have their son laugh more quietly, but the manager wanted him to leave. She said she was dumbfounded when the manager told them the entire family didn't have to go, just the boy in the wheelchair. Link (http://www.channel3000.com/news/4867360/detail.html)

So if the boy's loudness was distracting for the other patrons...was this action nessessary?


I have no opinion myself. To many unanswered questions.

On one hand the boy could of been a very loud interuption. Some people do play on the sympathies of the disabled and expect special treatment even at the other peoples expence. A so called normal kid can get kicked out of a theater if he/she is to loud and bothering the other patrons..heck so can an adult.

On the other hand the theater worker could of been turned off by the boy and used his authority to kick him out. There may have been other loud kids and this one was targeted. Also I wonder if he gave the parents a chance to quiet the boy down.

[Karma Chameleon]

Kicking someone out for laughing too loudly is foolish....particular if the movie has funny parts in it, which March of the Penguins does.

I wish movie theathers would kick out people who talk on their cell phones during the movie, or who carry on entire conversations in the theather with the person next to them while the movie is playing.

[Ayumi]

I think that the movie employee was just being over-zealous. Who cares if the kid is laughing loudly, you just ask for the parents to quiet him down. I knew some who's kid had autism and it is really hard to deal with. Totally like dealing with a one or two year old at times... so people should be aware that they can't help it and they and they familys are just trying to lead a normal life while dealing with the problem(s) they have been given. That is my opinion.

[Penthesilea]

Kicking someone out for laughing too loudly is foolish....particular if the movie has funny parts in it, which March of the Penguins does.

I wish movie theathers would kick out people who talk on their cell phones during the movie, or who carry on entire conversations in the theather with the person next to them while the movie is playing.And what about screaming toddlers in movies not intended for them -- either because of the subject matter or the rating? The parents might not care that their kid is bored to a screaming fit and may be able to ignore it but the rest of the audience shouldn't have to try. The first movie I took my autistic daughters to was "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and they were old enough to understand when I told them they should be quiet, like when they were in the school library. I was prepared to remove them from the threater if they became disruptive. They were enchanted and behaved appropriately. If the parents had no chance to correct their child's behavior then they were discriminated against and should seek legal advice.

[Xander67]

"The boy has cerebral palsy and autism. The family said he was enjoying the movie from his wheelchair when a theater worker said he was laughing too loudly, and would have to leave. Gina Pratti said they would try to have their son laugh more quietly, but the manager wanted him to leave."

Looks like Discrimination to me. If this is actually what went down...

[Storm Moon]

I think that's horrible. I'd sue them, personally.

[Yvonne Belisle]

And what about screaming toddlers in movies not intended for them -- either because of the subject matter or the rating? The parents might not care that their kid is bored to a screaming fit and may be able to ignore it but the rest of the audience shouldn't have to try. The first movie I took my autistic daughters to was "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and they were old enough to understand when I told them they should be quiet, like when they were in the school library. I was prepared to remove them from the threater if they became disruptive. They were enchanted and behaved appropriately. If the parents had no chance to correct their child's behavior then they were discriminated against and should seek legal advice.


I once had a theater give me free passes because I took my kids into the hall chewed them new butts about their behavior and began to march them out. Turned out the manager heard me telling them it was my birthday gift to me for us to be at that theater and I was disappointed in their behavior. He was so impressed that no one had complained to him and that I had taken them out on my own he gave me free passes for later so I would still get to see the movie.

[Penthesilea]

I once had a theater give me free passes because I took my kids into the hall chewed them new butts about their behavior and began to march them out. Turned out the manager heard me telling them it was my birthday gift to me for us to be at that theater and I was disappointed in their behavior. He was so impressed that no one had complained to him and that I had taken them out on my own he gave me free passes for later so I would still get to see the movie. :fpraiseyo

[Yvonne Belisle]

:fpraiseyo


LMAO

[Djiril]

It looks like the theatre apologised:
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/08/18/laughter2.html (http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/08/18/laughter2.html)

[CosmicWhispers]

I know a person who's 15 year old autistic son was kicked out of a McDonalds
because of a misunderstanding. His older sister took him there for lunch.
He loved to pay the money to the cashiers so his sister let him. The sister gave
him the exact change and he gave it to the cashier. However, in his mind, he gives
the cashier money and she gives him money back (change). So he had a minor
fit. No different than a "normal" customer thinking they were short changed.
The sister quickly calmed him down and explained to the cashier his condition and
why he didn't understand. The manager told her to get her brother the hell out
of the restaurant.
My son is autistic, and when I hear these stories I worry about how I would react
in those situations. I would want to smash their face, but I can't do that.
I don't think a lawsuit is necessarilty the answer. Perhaps embarrassing media
coverage is the best way give them a black eye. If a "normal" person, such as
this manager, treats a disabled child this way, it makes you wonder who the real
handicapped one is.

Of course this is assuming that the theatre incident occured as reported.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Definitly right. It is the ones who treat others like that who are the real handicapped ones. I used to do the hand in hand festival when I was a kid. Those kids were wonderful and showed so much love to the people around them. They were great.

[Koehnae]

Definitly right. It is the ones who treat others like that who are the real handicapped ones.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[BrigidMoon]

"The boy has cerebral palsy and autism. The family said he was enjoying the movie from his wheelchair when a theater worker said he was laughing too loudly, and would have to leave. Gina Pratti said they would try to have their son laugh more quietly, but the manager wanted him to leave."

Looks like Discrimination to me. If this is actually what went down...

Agreed.
:flowers:

[Pagan Mantis]

It seems to me that people with some authority in this country abuse it. I do have sympathy for our disabled brothers and sisters, however, that still doesn't give the theater the right to kick someone out for continual laughter, as obviously this worker wasn't a happy camper himself. The other thing may have been a prejudice, or maybe some OSHA standard not met by having the wheelchair in an aisle? I agree, too many unanswered questions to pass judgement on this one.

[SilentDreams]

I wouldn't have had a problem with this until I read that they didn't give them a chance to try and quiet him down and they said that only he needed to be removed. Thats what makes me think this is really more on the discrimination side. But before that I would've understood their side. I mean, my cousin has fragile X syndrome and he can be a hassle a theatres. He is often a tad louder than everyone else and I know he's disturbed people. Acctually just until a year or so ago the few attempts at taking him to the theatre ended up with us having to take him out only a short way through the film. So I wouldn't have seen a problem if this boy was really making a big scene. Yes, people have problems that cannot be helped and we all need to try and accomidate them as best we can, but in a situation such as this the parent needs to be ready to leave with their child in case there is too much disturbance. But of course this really goes without needing to be said seeing as how I really don't think that is what went on at that theatre. But of course this could be just a angry family and *their* side of the events. I'm not saying they lied on purpose or anything(although stranger things have happened) but a flustered family might get things wrong in the heat of anger.

[LadyTrinity]

There are ALLOT of people who are loud and obnoxious and talk too much during movies that don't get kicked out and they dont have cerebral palsy either! :strike:
I feel bad for that family

[IvyWitch]

Yeah I read that in the paper yesterday. It's really huge news here....which goes to show you how boring we are up here lol

It's good that the theater offered up an apology, but it should never have happened in the first place

[BlueMoon13]

I wouldn't have had a problem with this until I read that they didn't give them a chance to try and quiet him down and they said that only he needed to be removed
Really,really odd, is'nt that?
So I wouldn't have seen a problem if this boy was really making a big scene. Yes, people have problems that cannot be helped and we all need to try and accomidate them as best we can, but in a situation such as this the parent needs to be ready to leave with their child in case there is too much disturbance. That should go for any child (or adult,for that matter) .
Another thing that seems really odd to me is that it sounds like this was a kid's movie...HOW loud does a child have to be to be kicked out of a child's movie? Working with lots of CP and autistic kids, could he also have been flailing about uncontrollably, and screaming at the top of his lungs constantly (which may be HIS form of laughing?). Regardless, the family should have been the opportunity to calm his down a bit before being tossed. I think the manager was doing his best to referee between patrons.... Glad to see the theater coughed up an apology so quickly :whistle:

[Sequoia]

Normally, if people are making too much noise, they should be asked to leave - but they rarely are, and certainly if it's a Children's Movie where kids tend to talk, laugh, and be roudy... then of COURSE the kid shouldn't be kicked out for laughing.

From what I've read on it, it sounds like the attendant just wanted the kid out. Chances are, there were other "normal" children laughing, terrorizing the isles, etc. Plain 'ol discrimination.

Hopefully a family wouldn't bother taking their child to a film if they knew their child would cause a disturbance - disabled or not.

[IvyWitch]

One thing I'm not clear on is whether or not someone actually complained, or if it was just the theater that decided he was too loud. How angry can you really get at a kid in a wheelchair for laughing?

[Faeawyn]

Well, here's my experience. Once, I was in a movie with my family, and there was an autistic child 2 rows up from us. He was obviously VERY excited to be there, and would just laugh loudly for any reason whatsoever throughout the entire movie. Now, I understand and sympathize with the child and the family and their right to enjoy a movie.....but we couldn't hear anything. What about the people who pay money, perhaps only get one opportunity to see the movie, and can't enjoy it because someone is disruptive?? Between the parents saying "Shhhhh" every 3 minutes, and the child making loud sounds, it was impossible. And of course, no one wanted to say anything because everyone felt bad about it.
Now I think the parents should have been given the opportunity to try to quiet the child,, but in the event that was not possible, then I feel it was appropriate to ask them to go. :whatgives: And I feel its a little presumptuous for any of us to start throwing accusations about discrimination without knowing all the facts.

[Zibblsnrt]

Well, here's my experience. Once, I was in a movie with my family, and there was an autistic child 2 rows up from us. He was obviously VERY excited to be there, and would just laugh loudly for any reason whatsoever throughout the entire movie. Now, I understand and sympathize with the child and the family and their right to enjoy a movie.....but we couldn't hear anything. What about the people who pay money, perhaps only get one opportunity to see the movie, and can't enjoy it because someone is disruptive?? Between the parents saying "Shhhhh" every 3 minutes, and the child making loud sounds, it was impossible. And of course, no one wanted to say anything because everyone felt bad about it.

Honestly, I consider situations like this to be roughly the same thing as parents who bring their screaming infants to a movie, or people who take six-year-olds to 3-4 hour or otherwise Not A Kid's Movie movies.

Do I want people who are going to be constantly disruptive in a theatre? No, I don't. Do I care in the least why they're being disruptive? No, I don't. If the rest of the moviegoers can't hear or appreciate the movie because of one person, that person (and, in cases like this, those chaperoning him/her) get to leave.

That said, the theatre folk in the original post were dolts for kicking the kid out on the first warning (though I'm not sure I believe that the theatre wanted to kick only the seven-year-old kid out), but if it was anything other than the first warning I'd have as little sympathy for the family as I would for one who brought their 6-month-old set of anthropomorphic bagpipes to a late-night movie.

[StarCraftLia]

Well alot of people laugh loudly in movie theatres, but if the kid was laughing hysterically loud and long enough to actually disturb anyone, it is right he got kicked out, diseases or no. That is IF he was laughing so loud and long it disturbed anyone.

[DarkWaltz]

Must be laughing really loud I have to shout at the person next to me if I am going to the loo or anything hehe.

[SerenityMoon]

Honestly, I consider situations like this to be roughly the same thing as parents who bring their screaming infants to a movie, or people who take six-year-olds to 3-4 hour or otherwise Not A Kid's Movie movies.

Do I want people who are going to be constantly disruptive in a theatre? No, I don't. Do I care in the least why they're being disruptive? No, I don't. If the rest of the moviegoers can't hear or appreciate the movie because of one person, that person (and, in cases like this, those chaperoning him/her) get to leave.

That said, the theatre folk in the original post were dolts for kicking the kid out on the first warning (though I'm not sure I believe that the theatre wanted to kick only the seven-year-old kid out), but if it was anything other than the first warning I'd have as little sympathy for the family as I would for one who brought their 6-month-old set of anthropomorphic bagpipes to a late-night movie.

I completely agree. I really wonder if this situation would have been different had it been a child that wasn't disabled. Would there be as much outrage if it had been a non-disabled child that had been kicked out? Would the media be as sympathetic and have milked their articles to the point of sounding like this is a tragedy had it not been a disabled child?

The first line of that article, "*insert boy's name here* just wanted to enjoy a movie...." I mean, come on. The kid didn't die. He didn't receive a head injury while being escorted out. His feelings got hurt. It's sad that his feelings got hurt, but this is really blown out of proportion. Had this been a "normal" child, it would have been a different story.

Honestly, if I had a disabled child that I knew was prone to bursts of loudness (which a lot of autistic children are), I would keep the movie-watching at home. Make it an enjoyable experience at home. I wouldn't do it becuase my own child embarrassed me, I'd do it out of respect for the others that paid 8 bucks to see a movie with their children.

[starfire]

It would be the same as if you had a baby that was crying. I agree that we don't have all the information, but in many kids like this one, they are abnormally laughing or loud that isn't just at the funny parts. If this was the case, the parents should have been allowed to quiet the boy. Then if it continued, they should leave on their own out of respect.

Its hard to know if this was a noisy issue, like babies, people talking, cell phones, or if someone was uncomfortable because the kid was disabled.

Unfortunately not all adults act with respect when it comes to public places and respect. The parents know this child the best, but maybe more accepting of his/her loudness than one who is not familiar. The parents could also try to take the child during times where not many people are there if they can. It isn't about not seeing a movie, you can do that at home. It is more about a family going out together for social time. So I realize this, but then they have to be considerate of the others who were also there not being able to enjoy their time.

Not knowing all the information, and not knowing if all the information was reported correctly, it is a tough call.

[Calen]

I think the theatre should have given the family a chance to quiet their son down. My cousin has DS and can be extremely noisy, but he usually responds if his mother talks to him. I think that should be the case with anyone going to a movie; if they are disturbing the other people, ask them to quiet down and give them a chance to do it. If they can't manage it, for whatever reason, they need to leave.