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
Melissa, i agree completely. My hands are up from the moment that coaster pulls out of the station. So are the other riders'. If it was such a big requirement, then anyone caught riding without grasping would be ejected from the park.
The safety restrictions are put there for a reason. If she feels the restriction is unfair, rather than sue the park they should challenge the people who made the restriction and learn why it is there. Challenge the restriction to see if it is really necessary.
Kwait2 - Why would they? Because it's the law. Do you think any restaurants got more money by installing ramps? Not likely... but it's equal rights to a business and it's legally required. Yes it would be very hard to design something that would accommodate EVERY disability but that doesn't mean we shouldn't attempt to accommodate anyone. A harness would allow those missing limbs, those who are wheel chair bound, those with nervous symptom disorders, and likely a variety of other disabilities to ride safely... and would be relatively cheap to install in one cart of the coaster. Straps would cover a good majority of the disabled population that would currently be unable to ride. I hope this situation draws a lot of attention to those companies that still don't meet the ADA requirements... you know, over 20 years after it was enacted.
After reading the comments and trying to develop my own opinion, I can't. I can see both sides and unless I actually know what the rides harness looks like and what rules are clearly stated, then I can't side with either. Maybe if she and her parents signed a waiver saying the park would not be responsible if injury or death occured, but then again she could cause harm to another bystander which makes this all the more confusing.