Disabled 7-year-old ejected from theater - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-19-2005, 11:07 AM

http://www.recordonline.com/archive/...8/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."

G-Force Glockstar · 08-19-2005, 11:17 AM

That's pretty sad

barwars · 08-19-2005, 11:19 AM

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

G-Force Glockstar · 08-19-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

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

Yes, they should defintley sue!

Mikado · 08-19-2005, 11:40 AM

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

MsOrange · 08-19-2005, 12:06 PM

sue!

dlemond · 08-19-2005, 12:13 PM

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.

G-Force Glockstar · 08-19-2005, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

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!!

barwars · 08-19-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girl Meets World

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?

G-Force Glockstar · 08-19-2005, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

You wouldn't do it yourself?

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

Bobby F. · 08-19-2005, 01:33 PM

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.

Karen* · 08-19-2005, 02:00 PM

That's outrageous. I hate discrimination.

MissZero · 08-19-2005, 02:22 PM

Thats terrible

...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!!!

Chocoholic · 08-19-2005, 02:54 PM

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.

Superstar · 08-19-2005, 03:01 PM

Those horrible

They should sue.

08-19-2005, 11:07 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Disabled 7-year-old ejected from theater http://www.recordonline.com/archive/...8/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." Attached Images

08-19-2005, 11:17 AM	#2
G-Force Glockstar Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Nov 22, 2003 Posts: 21,770	That's pretty sad
	__________________ Formally, FullHouseFan8795, CamdenGirl89, Lana Lang, Ruthie Lang, CravinForCarrie, and Girl Meets World.

08-19-2005, 02:00 PM	#12
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	That's outrageous. I hate discrimination.
	__________________ karen on \| twitter \| tumblr

08-19-2005, 02:22 PM	#13
MissZero serve it up baby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 12, 2004 Location: Pa (Blah) Posts: 1,901	Thats terrible ...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!!!
	__________________ ~MissZero~

08-19-2005, 11:19 AM	#3
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Thats terrible. I hope someone convinces them to sue, and that they'll make millions.

08-19-2005, 11:40 AM	#5
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	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

08-19-2005, 12:06 PM	#6
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	sue!

08-19-2005, 12:13 PM	#7
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	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.

08-19-2005, 01:33 PM	#11
Bobby F. Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 30, 2004 Posts: 3,818	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.

08-19-2005, 02:54 PM	#14
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	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.

08-19-2005, 03:01 PM	#15
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	Those horrible They should sue.