Girl with no hands barred from rides at SeaWorld

Updated
Girl with no hands barred from rides at SeaWorld
Girl with no hands barred from rides at SeaWorld

Huffington Post


A girl who was born with no hands was removed from a ride at SeaWorld after being told she wasn't allowed on because of her disability.

Katie Champagne, from Michigan, had wanted to ride on the Kraken roller coaster, but the theme park would not allow it, although the the 17-year-old maintains she has ridden it before.

According to the Huffington Post, a spokesman for SeaWorld said: "Our policies regarding guests with disabilities were written in consultation with ride safety experts, ride design consultants and manufacturers of each of our attractions."

James Barber, member of the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials, told the Orlando Sentinel: "Making exceptions opens theme parks to liability and park-goers to danger. Safety rules aren't just put there arbitrarily. They don't put those restrictions there to be mean."

According to USA Today, the rules state that riders must be able to grasp the coaster's pull-down harness "with at least one hand."

An attorney working with the family, however, contests the safety rules, and said: "The requirement for Katie to grasp the harness 'with at least one hand,' rather than her arm, is an unnecessary distinction and possible violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act."

Katie, who is a keen horse-rider and photographer, told the paper that the experience was "humiliating" - but it isn't the first time it has happened.

She was also removed from the line while queuing up for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in December 2011.



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