Landen Brett went to Chessington World of Adventures with his family and friend to celebrate turning 12.
The amputee from the Dyke Road area of Hove was looking forward to going on the Vampire ride at the park.
But after joining the long queue and preparing to join the ride, Landen and his family were left “mortified” in front of hundreds of onlookers when staff told him he could not get on.
Wait, surely this was pointed out to them before they joined the queue?
His mother Michelle Brett said it was embarrassing for Landen, who had to have his leg amputated after complications at birth.
She said: “We paid on the gate and weren’t told about any possible restrictions for those with disabilities or amputations.
“We have been to Disneyland Paris where we were told about ride restrictions in advance.”
As you would expect any good company to do. It's only common sense, as well as good business practice. This shouldn't have happened.
So...why did it?
The company said: “The health and safety of our guests is always our priority and we have a number of requirements in place to allow our guests with disabilities and additional needs to enjoy our rides and attractions.
"We welcome many guests with disabilities, however as not all disabilities are visible, our team does not advise guests of ride restrictions on entry to the resort unless asked.”
And common sense goes right out the window.
In an effort to assuage the delicate sensibilities of snowflakes and attempt to head off the rabid disability activists, staff are advised - no, instructed - to ignore what's staring them in the face. And let a little boy with an already horrid start at life feel like a failure and a burden instead.
If there's a story that better sums up the debased state of British business in 2020, I've yet to see it.
5 comments:
So one needs two legs to go (sit?) on a ride? Seems idiotic but then again, I didn't bother actually reading the story.
Some jobsworth employed by Chessington on minimum wage knows better than the lad’s mother? Not likely.
@ blank
Probably an HSE rule, same as F1, 'must be able to exit xyz unaided if a crash'
imo his parents should have taken parental responsibility and asked - more fool them for not, they caused upset son
You can't blame the staff, if they have had Disability Awareness Training they will have been told to apply to the Nth degree or face Personal Consequences.
"So one needs two legs to go (sit?) on a ride? Seems idiotic ..."
It's a H&S issue, in case of evacuation, as Pcar points out...
"You can't blame the staff..."
I can blame the idiot policy makers though!
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