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

Town of Wallkill – 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.
The manager refunded the family's ticket purchase and sent them on their way, she said.
Location of the theater

Pratti and her husband have spent the past three days making phone calls and sending e-mails, trying to get someone – anyone – from Loews to give them an explanation.
"Not one person from Loews has called me back," Pratti said.
When contacted by the Times Herald-Record yesterday, a representative of Loews corporate headquarters said the company is concerned by Pratti's story, and is looking into Sunday's events.
The company says it will issue a statement today.
Pratti has spoken with attorneys about the incident, but isn't sure she wants to pursue any legal action.
Meanwhile, Pratti says she hopes Loews will do whatever it takes to make amends.
"This was only the third movie Anthony had ever seen, and now we're afraid to go back because they might throw us out again," Pratti said.
Explanations aside, Pratti has a simple message for the manager she says publicly humiliated her son:
"Shame on you."

That's pretty sad :(

Thats terrible. I hope someone convinces them to sue, and that they'll make millions.

Thats terrible. I hope someone convinces them to sue, and that they'll make millions.

Yes, they should defintley sue!

Geeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz A kid was laughing at a funny movie , so they kicked him out? Lets call the fun police and put the little guy away for life!!!< Yes, Im being sarcastic here :mad:

sue!

The manager of the movie theater should be fined for discrimination, he should be sentenced to community service helping with the disabled, and he should send a thank you card to the father of the boy everday.

Thanking the dad for not beating the living piss out of him.

The manager of the movie theater should be fined for discrimination, he should be sentenced to community service helping with the disabled, and he should send a thank you card to the father of the boy everday.

Thanking the dad for not beating the living piss out of him.

I agree!

If I was married and had a kid like that, I'd have my husband sue the crap out of the manager!!

If I was married and had a kid like that, I'd have my husband sue the crap out of the manager!!

You wouldn't do it yourself?

You wouldn't do it yourself?

I would if I could, but I just don't like being in the spotlight.

This is just sickening! Where is the compasion for this child? Instead of ruining the day for this autistic child the manager should have refunded the money of anyone who was complaining. People that do things like this to people with handicaps really piss me off! Complete lowlifes.

That's outrageous. I hate discrimination. :mad:

Thats terrible :mad: ...ugh u have no idea how mad/upset these things make me....id go give that manager a good kick where the sun dont shine!!! :mad:

That manager and those people who complained really need a lesson in compassion and tolerance. If the kid was "normal", they probably wouldn't have cared less.

I do think that parents need to teach their kids, disabled or not, proper movie theater etiquette though. If the kid truly was being very loud to the point of bothering other patrons, then the parents should have tried to control him or remove him from the theater. That goes for ALL parents.

Those horrible :( They should sue.

Explanations aside, Pratti has a simple message for the manager she says publicly humiliated her son: "Shame on you."
That's for sure. That's disgraceful. Loews had better do something or this could turn into a PR nightmare for them. Cute little boy. Breaks my heart. :(

That manager and those people who complained really need a lesson in compassion and tolerance. If the kid was "normal", they probably wouldn't have cared less.

I do think that parents need to teach their kids, disabled or not, proper movie theater etiquette though. If the kid truly was being very loud to the point of bothering other patrons, then the parents should have tried to control him or remove him from the theater. That goes for ALL parents.

People with autism have trouble with that sort of control though. It's part of the disability. The kid also has cerebral palsy which sometimes results in involuntary muscle spasms. If he has a disability, he might not be able to control himself.

That's sad. I agree that that theater should be sued for discrimination. I imagine that this incident might hurt their business, too. I mean, who would want to go to a theater that tells disabled people to go away?

*shakes head* Absurd. :(

I do think that parents need to teach their kids, disabled or not, proper movie theater etiquette though. If the kid truly was being very loud to the point of bothering other patrons, then the parents should have tried to control him or remove him from the theater. That goes for ALL parents.

I agree. Although, this was a comedy, so people can laugh as loud as they want. If the boy were laughing too loudly at a movie where nobody else was laughing, then I could sort of understand the situation. But in this case, it's horrible.

I agree. Although, this was a comedy, so people can laugh as loud as they want. If the boy were laughing too loudly at a movie where nobody else was laughing, then I could sort of understand the situation. But in this case, it's horrible.

I thought it was a documentary. Either way, I have been in theatres where kids were loud and whatnot, never seen anyone thrown out for it.

That's disgusting. I'd sue the fricking hell out of them.

Supposedly it's a humorous documentary. Penguins falling and slipping around.

Makes sense, penguins are funny, and they walk funny.

As an autistic I find this disgusting. The mother should not ignore this. If I were in her position, I would contact the Better Business Bureau and the President of the company of the theater and complain. Suing would be logical but you have to remember that lawsuits cost money. I think I can see why the mother probably wouldn't want to pursue legal action, although I wouldn't hesitate to do it myself if that happened to me. I would also get the word out to the public any way I could.

looking at it objectively. It depends how loud the kid was yelling. One thing I hate more than anything is going to the movies and hearing people talking when the films playing, and not just "want some more popcorn?" questions but full-blown conversations. I was at a movie a few months ago and the ******* sitting three seats from me got a phone call.... AND TOOK IT AND DIDN'T GO TO THE LOBBY TO CARRY THE CONVERSATION ON!!!

It's something you have to be there to hear. If other patrons in the theater can attest that they think he was profiled because of his disability, I'm all for it, but if the kid was yelling and screaming and ruining the movie for the other people who paid money to see the movie, then a disability is no excuse for rudeness. There is movie etiquette and you get it preached to you before every movie starts and if the other patrons' enjoyment of the movie was being hindered by the kids yelling and screaming, they have every right to complain. I used to work retail and remember a time a lady and her teenage daughter with downs syndrome were in my line, and the girl burped out loud and then said "I burped, that was cool!!!", and I was stunned that the mother didn't say anything along the lines of "you shouldn't do that in public, it's gross" like you would to another child who doesn't have DS that would do the same thing.

However, I must say the theater should've given the kid a warning instead of throwing him out. It was only 15 mins into it, they should've told the parents to tell the kid to be a little lower in tone and if he doesn't stop they'll throw him out, instead of just doing it without warning.

Thats awful :(

That's really sad and ridiculous. Wow, the kid was laughing at a movie. What about all of those people who yell stuff during movies and make out in the theater? Aren't they a distraction? Shouldn't they be kicked out? How about kicking out the ones who deserve it instead of a harmless little boy who is just enjoying a movie.

By the way, when I read the title of the thread, that he was "ejected" from the theater, I thought he was literally ejected - like they shot him out of a cannon or something.

rofl, imagine the responce if that theater was showing Rocky Horror Picture Show, "all of you have to leave, you're getting rowdy and disrupting the movie"

as someone who has cp and also as a fellow human being i find this lack of compaasion for this child sickning they should sue for every dime they can get .

:(

That's terrible. I hope they sue. :mad:

They should sue. I've seen a lot of people in theaters making noise and they do a lot more than laugh and I've yet to see anyone asked to leave.

That's sad :( I find any kind of discrimination untolerable.

Oh God I hope they do follow through and sue. More and more people have to stand up against this sort of sick discrimination.
I've worked with the mentally challenged, and we have a young woman now (I've known her since she was 14) with cebral palsy who lives across the road. She can get loud sometimes. It's not her fault and she is as smart as a whip - knows exactly what's going on - just its tough to communicate it. I love to hear her voice and laughter.

More and more I've come to realize that the "handicapped" wouldn't be so restricted and handicapped if society and igorant people wouldn't try to hold them back. It's society who has the real problem - not them. For years society has tried to change them - its about time we changed society's views.

I'd like to see what those theatres finally come out with as an excuse - because there is no real excuse for it - sickening imo. :rolleyes: :mad:

It's things like this that make me so sick! :mad: :mad: :mad:

What a shame that they would do that!!! :mad:

http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/08/18/laughter2.html

I clicked on the link in Brian's first post on this thread, and there was an update.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 18, 2005

Theater apologizes for booting family


By Dave Richardson
Times Herald-Record
drichardson@th-record.com

Middletown - Young Anthony Pratti just wanted to see a movie, but today, his story has turned into a kind of firestorm. The happy 7-year-old, who spends much of his time in a wheelchair dealing with cerebral palsy and autism, was ejected from the Loews Cineplex theaters in the Galleria at Crystal Run Sunday.

As Anthony was busy laughing and having a good time watching the film "March of the Penguins," a theater manager told his shocked family Anthony was laughing too loud, and that he had to get out.

Anthony's story, which made the cover of today's Times Herald-Record, has sparked a tsunami of supportive phone calls, Internet chat room postings and e-mails from around the region and the nation, along with a minor media frenzy.

Gina Pratti, Anthony's mother, spent most of today chasing hordes of television reporters off her front lawn. At least seven New York City television stations, plus MSNBC, descended on Pratti seeking interviews. The story was carried on radio stations around the tri-state region, and was even picked up by the Drudge Report Web site. " My phone hasn't stopped ringing," Pratti said.

For its part, Loews corporate office has apologized to Pratti for what happened to Anthony, and says it's taking steps to ensure it won't happen again. "We may not have exercised the best sensitivity in handling this situation," said John McCauley, senior vice president of marketing for Loews Cineplex Entertainment. McCauley said the company would offer more training to employees in how to better deal with touchy situations. "We welcome the Pratti family back to our theaters, and we hope they'll give us a second chance," McCauley added.

Anthony's story prompted a deluge of messages of solidarity, sympathy and support - and some generous offers. Keith Lipsey, a Washingtonville police officer and martial arts teacher who works with autistic children, said he was incensed by Anthony's story. He said he's trying to arrange a special night out at the Destina Theaters in New Windsor for Anthony, his family, friends. "We should see who can laugh the loudest," Lipsey said. "I'll have bunch of cops around them, I'll bring the whole autistic society in. We'll make it a laughing matter in a positive sense."

Another woman offered to start a petition drive, and more than one person offered to boycott Loews theaters in response. Mark Zurlo, president of Middletown Discount Cinemas, said Loews should have known better, and that the Prattis are welcome to come to his theater anytime as his guest.
"It's a shame that happened," Zurlo said. "It makes us all look bad. There are ways to handle situations - that was not the way to handle it."

Pratti said her family is very, very grateful to everyone for the support. She said she didn't go into this wanting anything but an apology. "I thought this was just a simple thing, but obviously it's touched a nerve for a lot of people," Pratti said.

http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/08/18/main.jpg

I'm sorry, but an apology is not good enough.

I'm sorry, but an apology is not good enough.

Pratti said her family is very, very grateful to everyone for the support. She said she didn't go into this wanting anything but an apology

Thats all she said wanted.

This is just sickening! Where is the compasion for this child? Instead of ruining the day for this autistic child the manager should have refunded the money of anyone who was complaining. People that do things like this to people with handicaps really piss me off! Complete lowlifes.
For once, we agree with each other ;)

Anthony's story prompted a deluge of messages of solidarity, sympathy and support - and some generous offers. Keith Lipsey, a Washingtonville police officer and martial arts teacher who works with autistic children, said he was incensed by Anthony's story. He said he's trying to arrange a special night out at the Destina Theaters in New Windsor for Anthony, his family, friends. "We should see who can laugh the loudest," Lipsey said. "I'll have bunch of cops around them, I'll bring the whole autistic society in. We'll make it a laughing matter in a positive sense."
Now THAT is a positive responce, and kudos to the Washintonville Police :rock:

As an autistic I find this disgusting. The mother should not ignore this. If I were in her position, I would contact the Better Business Bureau and the President of the company of the theater and complain. Suing would be logical but you have to remember that lawsuits cost money. I think I can see why the mother probably wouldn't want to pursue legal action, although I wouldn't hesitate to do it myself if that happened to me. I would also get the word out to the public any way I could.


I totally agree Brian - people have to stop just taking this kind of crap and it goes on all the time with different things. Until we fully integrate everyone people should be taking whatever actions it takes. Everyone deserves to be able to go out and enjoy a movie.

I think they can do more damage to the management and good for the cause by just getting word out - I sure wouldn't go to that theatre (or if it were a chain, any in the chain) ever again.

Thats all she said wanted.


Which just shows what a tolerant, wonderful person she must be. Talk about being a big person (compared to the sh*ts at the theatre). :mad:

He's one of the most beautiful kids I've ever seen too.

Anthony's story prompted a deluge of messages of solidarity, sympathy and support - and some generous offers. Keith Lipsey, a Washingtonville police officer and martial arts teacher who works with autistic children, said he was incensed by Anthony's story. He said he's trying to arrange a special night out at the Destina Theaters in New Windsor for Anthony, his family, friends. "We should see who can laugh the loudest," Lipsey said. "I'll have bunch of cops around them, I'll bring the whole autistic society in. We'll make it a laughing matter in a positive sense."
THAT is priceless. Bless his heart. :heart:

THAT is priceless. Bless his heart. :heart:


Now THAT'S a fantastic idea!!! :happyface

I don't really believe in law suits. If I were the parents of that kid
I would call TV stations and newspapers so people would know
what kind of man this theater manager is and how unfair it is to
treat disabled children like that! :mad:

I don't really believe in law suits. If I were the parents of that kid
I would call TV stations and newspapers so people would know
what kind of man this theater manager is and how unfair it is to
treat disabled children like that! :mad:

I applaud the mother for not going after money. Getting thousands of dollars isn't going to change what happened. I think the media is a great outlet for this. More good will come out if the media takes off with it, like the cop who wanted to take the whole family and friends out.

Often, an event such as this raises public awareness. Also, it may not be the first time this theater treated a disabled person so awful, but something tells me it may be the last.

I know a few horrible racial incidents at Denny's turned their entire chain around, and last I heard, they got their act together.

Terrible incidents often make other establishments more aware as they don't want to get caught in a PR nightmare themselves.

That's true - the important thing is that people learn they can't do this sort of thing.

I applaud the mother for not going after money. Getting thousands of dollars isn't going to change what happened.
That's true, but it's not over yet. I'm sure the parents will have some ambulance chasers calling them.

pissed: pissed: pissed:

typical human. i'd beat him to a pulp so badly he'd have to be in a wheelchair too.

Originally posted by safety pin:
typical human. i'd beat him to a pulp so badly he'd have to be in a wheelchair too.


You might be tempted to, Sarah, but if you do that, then you and us are no
better than guys like that theatre manager.

Originally posted by safety pin:
typical human. i'd beat him to a pulp so badly he'd have to be in a wheelchair too.


You might be tempted to, Sarah, but if you do that, then you and us are no
better than guys like that theatre manager.
i know, i was kidding. i'd be too much of a wimp to try to beat him up anyway. but i would still let him have it.

[QUOTE=Brian Damage][url]He was laughing, but he really wasn't much louder than any of the other kids," she said.

The point of going to the movies is to have a good time and enjoy yourself.
I have gone to movies where people were laughing and talking to much.
The manager sounds like a fool.

I have gone to movies where people were laughing and talking to much.
The manager sounds like a fool.

well, if you're at a movie theater carrying on a conversation after the film starts and you're annoying others who are there to watch the movie, then yes, you should be ejected from the theater. People go to the movies to watch the movie, not to listen to two rude people the row in front or behind you carry on a conversation when they should STFU the moment the lights dim and the film begins.

That's so wrong!,Kids with disabilities can't help themselves.They
should sue!,In my town,which a small town that let anyone laugh
as loud as they wanted during funny movies,I'm from a small town.
But unfortunately they closed down the theater because of this
dumb rule the manager had that if you bought a soda,popcorn,candy,etc.
you had till the movie was over to eat and drink.They said that having
refreshments during was a total distraction and you disobeyed you were
asked to leave the theater at once!,That was so stupid! :mad: