While the manager may have been insensitive, the issue probably started with someone else watching the movie.

don’t worry. no one is required to register here. i think the “Anonymous Coward” label is “tongue-in-cheek”. i think the trolls are happy to stay anonymous.

anyway, welcome to p2pnet.

i was also very physically disabled for a few years – i could barely stand or walk and was almost paralysed. in that time, i got a glimpse of what james and others more severely handicapped might go through, as regards to how the outside world treats them. (some people who read my articles here believe my real problem is in my head, but they’re the anonymous cowards.) although my “friends” and colleagues showed their true colors by treating me like a leper and cutting me out of their lives, i still kept my dignity. it’s clear that you and your family haven’t lost yours, either.

thankfully, i no longer live in the states, but in a country that takes care of it’s people at all costs, and where the majority of people don’t look at a handicapped person as a pariah.

take care.

As a parent advocate, I try to educate our community, by concentrating on Rasha’s ABILITIES, and helping her become an advocate for herself and others. Rasha dose not like the words disabled or handicapped, and if someone approached her with those words she replies saying: “I Am Able”… When other children ask questions, I usually try to keep the answers simple, while focusing on the similarities between Rasha and her peers. We usually don’t go into details regarding her disability or things that she can’t do…I heard once an advocate stating that we all have a kind of special needs, but that is the not something that we would like to share with other people.

I believe that if we want a better life for our children or ourselves, we need to do our part in educating our community. We have to build bridges to positive changes for the next generation. This is the only way for our children to achieve their dreams.

(To John, Mary and Jimmy: I enjoyed reading about Jimmy’s strengths and abilities. Thank you for sharing that.
And for Jon, thank you for your kind words to Rasha).

God bless,
Laila Kawar

What I don’t agree with is not giving them a chance to quiet down and expecting a family to leave a child outside the theater. Disabled or not, you don’t leave a seven year old child alone like that. That goes beyond insensitive and into the realm of irresponsible. Perhaps even illegal, as it can be considered a criminal form of child neglect.

Any place of business has the right to ask disruptive people to leave within reason. They do not have the right to suggest harmful, insensitive and possibly illegal actions to customers.

Rick, the php reader with a disabled son, is correct about some people’s reactions to disabled people. There are people out there so emotionally hindered that they have the primitive reaction to anyone who appears severely flawed – treating them as they would someone with an infectious disease and something to be avoided. Perhaps some of these people can’t handle the idea that the world is not perfect, but a lot of them act as if in their gut, they expect to be contaminated and might “catch” what’s wrong with the disable person themselves. They hestitate to touch the person, surreptiously wipe their hands when they do and other “don’t contaminate me” actions.

In this day and age, people should be educated enough to know that most disabling conditions cannot be transmitted to other people, except on a genetic level. You would have to be living in extreme denial or a complete hermit not to have been exposed to something that explains this fact. And most of these people, if questioned, will admit that they “know” that it’s not possible. But somehow, this knowledge has not made it past the gut reaction level in them.

Amanda in Oklahoma

OUR SON

Our son, the gift from angels from heaven above.
Our son, the giver of unconditional love.
A celestial spirit, a soul with a grin.
A heavenly heart, within a body of tin.
A boy with tears the size of a whale.
A man full of laughter like the winds in a sail.
A person with a goal and desire.
A person wishing to play and swing in a tire.
A boy grown to a man just wanting to love.
Our son, the gift from angels from heaven above.

I recently was made aware of a very upsetting occurrence in the small New York town of Middletown. In a small quaint town, one not so different then our town of Morgan Hill, California, a young boy was harassed, discriminated and embarrassed by an insensitive and uncaring person and company. This past Sunday at the Loews Cineplex movie theater 7 year old Anthony Pratti was watching the 1:15 pm matinee viewing of the G rated movie, “March of the Penguins”. Anthony was smiling and laughing, he was enjoying the movie. 7 year old Anthony has Cerebral Palsy and Autism. Anthony, bound to his wheelchair, was sitting with his family in the disabled wheelchair section of the movie theater. Then about fifteen minutes into the movie, a theater manager came over to Anthony’s parents and told them that Anthony had to leave the theater because he was, “laughing to loud.” Even though this matinee viewing was filled with children all giggling and laughing just as loud as Anthony – none of these other children were asked to leave. Anthony’s father explained to the manager that their son was disabled and did not understand, but they would try to have him be quieter. The theater manager brusquely told them that it was not acceptable and that Anthony would have to leave the theater. The Pratti family followed the manager to the theater lobby, at which point the manager said that they didn’t need to all leave, just Anthony. Needless to say the Pratti family left the theater extremely hurt, embarrassed and angry. Loews corporate office latter apologized to the Pratti family, but it was not until four days later and their unfortunate incident had made the news in the New York tri-state area and national cable news services.

Hearing this family’s story made me cry. It made me think of how my son is treated and looked upon in our community. James has several friends of all ages here in town and we are very thankful for those who share in his special qualities. But for the most part our community tolerates my son and appears to accept him because he is here and they do not have a choice. The acceptance seems to be due to the lack of experience and knowledge of the disabled. Then there are the some within our community that look negatively upon my son and have even conveyed their ignorance. Although, it hurts to see people avoid my son I try to look at the situation as a chance to “educate” and enlighten others about my son and being disabled. My son has been disabled since birth. His disabilities were caused by trauma during the birthing process. James’ disabilities were caused because of oxygen being deprived to his body and the doctor not accounting for this to possibly occur. The deprivation caused his retardation, Cerebral Palsy and spastic quadriplegia. Cerebral Palsy is a disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth and outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination and speech disturbances. Spastic Quadriplegia is paralysis with tonic spasm of the affected muscles and with increased tendon reflexes. Mental retardation is a condition in which people have substantial limitations in their intellectual abilities. People with mental retardation score significantly below average on tests designed to measure intelligence. As a result of their intellectual limits, people with retardation experience difficulties in daily activities such as learning, working, and caring for themselves. They also have difficulty with such social skills as understanding other people’s behavior or communicating thoughts and feelings. Now, in James situation the severity of all these is extreme and permanent. Contrary to a few ignorant people, James’ disabilities are not contagious. It takes James a lot longer to do what others can do in a few seconds. James can let you know if he is happy or sad, by his heavenly smiles. James loves to interact with people, he is very trusting. James loves the San Francisco 49ers and the San Francisco Giants. He has excellent taste in the quality of music that he likes. James can distinguish and interpret a musical piece and its make up before specific sections of that piece are played. James loves all animals and is saddened when he sees an animal hurt. James and other disabled in our community are numerous. Next time you are walking down town, at a local eatery, shopping at a local grocery store or the farmers market and you see someone who is disabled, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself. Shake hands and spend a few minute to get to know them and their family. Look at the beauty for whom they are, not what slows them. Remember that they are just like you!

John, Mary and Jimmy Reese

well wtf.. so when a movie reviewer laughs his ass off its ok.. but not a poor helpless disabled child.

and they wonder why ticket sales are down.

how many morons sit in that theater with cell phones or sit there and talk through the whole movie. what a crock of shit