There's nothing more painful as a parent than being forced to stand by and watch your child get left out. Especially when the activity is something your kid really, really wants to do -- and you know she's capable of doing it. I know the word "heartbreaking" isn't the most original way to describe the experience, but it is the most accurate.
I can only imagine how many times 17-year-old Katie Champagne's parents have had their hearts broken. Born without hands, Katie's been left out of countless activities. There's no question her life has been a struggle, despite her parents best efforts to give her a normal childhood.
But that doesn't mean her parents will ever stop standing up for their daughter's right to do whatever it is she wants to do. Like riding rollercoasters.
Katie loves rollercoasters, which is why the Michigan teen was super-psyched to visit Orlando, unofficial rollercoaster capital of the world. So it was a huge disappointment when she was kicked off of two rollercoasters: SeaWorld's Kraken and Universal Studios' Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Why? Apparently "the manufacturers guidelines require that a guest be able to grasp the pull-down harness with at least one hand."
But Champagne says she can grip the harness with her arm. Not only that, but she says SeaWorld allowed her to ride the Kraken once before.
So Champagne knows she's capable of riding a rollercoaster safely. Her parents do, too. That's why they're working with an attorney to protest what could classify as "an unnecessary distinction and possible violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act."
Which is, if you ask me, exactly what her parents should be doing. When our kids are discriminated against, needlessly left out, it's our job to stand up and give them a voice. Of course it would be a different thing entirely if riding a rollercoaster really was dangerous for Champagne. But it's not. Her parents know she's up to the challenge, and they're going to do their best to make sure the rest of the world knows it, too.
Do you think Katie Champagne's parents should fight for her right to ride rollercoasters?
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Comments 34
The safety standards are there for a reason.
I'd personally try to get the park owners to reconsider their safety standards if possible, but just because she was allowed to ride before doesn't necessarily mean she was supposed to have been allowed.
I don't know all the safety standards and I sympathize with her wanting to be allowed to ride, so I hope the rules can be changed for people like her, but if for any reason it is deemed unsafe, then it's unsafe. I'd rather have people without hands be turned away for a ride than be injured or killed.
I'm sure though that they can design rollercoasters that don't require holding right?
Why aren't these rides made accessible for those with disabilities? Don't tell me it would be that hard to design an accessible cart on the coaster that would allow anyone (with or without hands or legs) to safely ride. Some simple extra straps or harnesses on one cart would allow anyone with a disability to safely ride. These parks need to stop discriminating the disabled, suck it up, and make their rides accessible to all adult passengers. Everyone else has to make their business accessible, why are they exempt?
Oh give me a break
No. Being able to properly grasp the safety bar or whatever is one way to stabilize your body. If you can't do it, then you shouldn't be able to ride it.
Is that fair? Probably not, but unless and until the person in question is paying for the park's insurance costs, it's the park's call.
Seriously??