LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- A boy with Down syndrome was prevented from boarding a
plane from Newark, N.J., to Los Angeles, his outraged parents said.
Bede
Vanderhorst, a 16-year-old with Down syndrome, was stopped by airline officials
and not allowed on the American Airlines flight he was supposed to take with his
parents, Joan and Robert Venderhorst. Joan Vanderhorst began videotaping the
incident on her cell phone, telling KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, she believed her son’s
civil rights were violated. She also said it was a violation of the federal
Americans with Disabilities Act.
In the video Joan Vanderhorst can be
heard sobbing and Robert disputing the matter with airline officials. Bede is
seen sitting quietly playing with his hat.
The couple told the TV station
they have flown with their son dozens of times without incident. They believe
they were targeted this time because they had upgraded to first class.
“This little boy had a seat in the first class area, and for some
reason, they didn’t want that. That wasn‘t acceptable,” she said.
A
spokesman for American Airlines disputes the family’s claim, saying the child
was excitable and running around. The airline said the pilot unsuccessfully
tried to calm the boy down before telling the family he presented a risk to
passenger safety. Eventually airport police were forced to intervene in the
dispute and the Vanderhorsts were booked on a United flight instead.
영어로 베껴와서 죄송합니다.
다운증후군이 있는 소년이 1등석을 타려다 거절당했다는 소식입니다.
결국은 공항경찰이 나서 United를 태워 줬다는데 물론 다른 승객도 고려해야겠지만 씁쓸하지요?
아님 소송 대박을 기대할 껀 수인가?