Family Kicked Off Plane Because of Son’s Disability, Mom Says

A mom of a 3-year-old boy with sensory processing disorder says her entire family was kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight because she revealed that her son finds it difficult to wear a mask, but that through work with his occupational therapist, he’s been able to keep it on consistently. Caroline Scott said that she notified the airline in advance of her son Orion’s condition when she booked a flight for her family. She says despite Orion keeping his mask on, the family was asked to deplane. #InsideEdition

[yashchopra]

Yea but they could keep a child who was shouting for 8 hours straight wow

[gaotosky]

For a second I thought it was an irresponsible person, but poor family. I wish that kid the best.

[scho]

As a nurse who works with several children on the spectrum, i can attest that NONE of them have been able to keep a mask on and none have been able to return to school, where they receive the majority of their therapeutic services. It's an issue within itself that needs to be addressed.

[shellyrae]

Wearing a mask must be so confusing and hard for kids(especially with special needs) I think travel should be avoided right now, unless absolutely necessary, it just adds to the anxiety for the kids and the parents.

[WilliamAniMation]

Inside edition: This family with a child that has difficulty wearing a mask was kicked off a plane

Also Inside edition: *elon musk*

[b_ecs]

Poor kiddo. I’ve got sensory processing disorder, I totally get how difficult it is to wear the mask. If he was wearing it, there’s no reason they should have been kicked off. That’s just plain unfair.

[MelissaCardenas]

I’m a little confused on why they would even disclose it to the airline if they assured them their son was able to wear a mask the whole flight?

[becrivera]

This hits close to home on a different level! My 4 year old has the same thing and WILL NOT tolerate wearing a mask at all. He is non-verbal and breaks down when we try to get him to wear one. The fact that they tried to do the right thing by alerting the airline should have made it easier for them, instead they were embarrassed, called out and discriminated against! So sad!

[nybsbfan]

At least he wasn't running around, from what I can tell.

[fathomD]

And they won't kick parents whose child cries like he/she is on fire the entire flight 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤦🤦🤦

[lilbacon]

In the case of legitimate physical or mental health exceptions like this one, we should grant some sway. In other cases, wear the damn mask.

[tictacviking]

child with disability: kicked off plane for not reason

child screaming for 8 hours: * allows *

[KawaiiMadArtist]

My son is autistic and he doesn’t like anything to be put around his face and head. This is so frustrating.

[Victoria-qbcc]

3 weeks ago I went to the mall and I saw a mother at a store with 3 kids struggling with her 4 year old daughter to keep her mask on. I heard the little girl telling her mom “Mommy it makes me not breathe” and “It itches.” She kept taking it off and the store employee kept begging the mom to tell her daughter to keep it on. The mom looked like she was on the verge of tears. If a child with no problems feels uncomfortable wearing a mask, a child with problems must feel 100x worse. They should make an exception with them but I also know that adults may take advantage of that to not wear a mask either. We already have plenty of Karens claiming to have a “medical condition” that prevents them from wearing them.

[Nirrrina]

There's only so much you can do with a normal 3 year old. Add in sensory disorders & wow this family has done amazing with their kid. But it would be understandable for him to give a bit of trouble.
If it happens it happens. Just deal the best you can with it. But don't kick them off for just sitting there obeying the rules.

[keriXianne]

The kid was discriminated against, get him a lawyer because no where in American can you be treated that way because of your disability. Context someone from (ADA)

[jackwalten]

Non-special needs child: *boards plane and then starts screaming for the entire flight and starts running down the isle and takes off mask*
Flight cabin crew and captain: this is fine
Special-needs child: *boards the plane and sits there quietly with mask still on*
Flight cabin crew and captain: No your child can’t stay on the flight, I don’t feel comfortable with them flying with us

[ScreaminD]

So you’re telling me they were kicked off anyway despite that the boy had his mask on? Jeez, airlines don’t like flying people who have mental disabilities nowadays. I wonder if they’d kick my family off because I have ADHD.

[HelenOk]

The boy was cooperating and wearing his mask, so he had no reason to make the crew feel uncomfortable and be kicked off the flight. He's only 3 years old, he should have been praised for being so obedient.

[Cadeidra]

Lawsuit?? If not, why because I'd getting a good attorney. This is ridiculous