tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post2593586447523988553..comments2024-03-28T21:36:55.157-04:00Comments on Love That Max : A teen with autism kicked off a plane and people just don't get itEllen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-32961029130715242972018-01-31T14:50:28.797-05:002018-01-31T14:50:28.797-05:00Yes. I 100 percent agree. I would have been pissed...Yes. I 100 percent agree. I would have been pissed off if we had to have an emergency landing. I love this outlook on this situation. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-48344253735203196422016-04-09T18:57:30.156-04:002016-04-09T18:57:30.156-04:00And this is why I decided to work for Delta becaus...And this is why I decided to work for Delta because they trump United in terms of customer service. I don't understand why she booked a flight with United in the first place. Sorry I'm biased as I'm employed by Delta. Hollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-9382249495850735452016-04-09T18:48:37.096-04:002016-04-09T18:48:37.096-04:00Agreed. Thank you for suggesting something really ...Agreed. Thank you for suggesting something really helpful to autism moms as well.... Hollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-77645127777015831252016-04-09T18:39:55.020-04:002016-04-09T18:39:55.020-04:00Yeah I'm a stewardess myself. But Amy if my so...Yeah I'm a stewardess myself. But Amy if my son was discriminated against, I would sue Delta (I work for them). I would never hesitate either. United have a terrible track record anyway. Hollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-89878343562733412302016-04-09T18:39:38.270-04:002016-04-09T18:39:38.270-04:00Yeah I'm a stewardess myself. But Amy if my so...Yeah I'm a stewardess myself. But Amy if my son was discriminated against, I would sue Delta (I work for them). I would never hesitate either. United have a terrible track record anyway. Hollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-73466954240461858902015-12-03T07:50:04.658-05:002015-12-03T07:50:04.658-05:00Let's follow your reasoning through to its log...Let's follow your reasoning through to its logical conclusion: Suppose we both end up on the same flight of 300 people on a plane. You start having a heart attack. You need CPR, as in like right now, and I'm the only person on board that knows how to perform it, but I tell you, "I'm sorry Mr. Anonymous Dude, but I can't give you CPR even though you need it unless I give every other passenger on board CPR because it wouldn't be fair to them." <br /><br />It's not about "the needs of the 300 other people on the plane." They're not the ones having a heart attack. <br /><br />"Fair" does not mean "treat everyone the same", "fair" means "everyone gets what he or she NEEDS." <br /><br />The inconvenience and stress to the other 300 people aboard that plane could have been easily avoided entirely by the simple, common sense accommodation of a warmed up plate of crappy-tasting airplane food instead of arguing with the mother over this minor deviation from "policy" that her request to purchase hot food posed (the extra time spent haggling probably amped the autistic teen's anxiety levels and contributed to her meltdown).<br /><br />With all the restrictions on liquids, including foodstuffs, imposed on commercial flying travelers, it's not like the good old days pre-9/11 where you can just bring a thermos with piping hot food in it for consumption in mid-flight. <br /><br /> Which is why I would never travel by plane if I can help it because airplane food is unfit for livestock anyway, and anything I make at home is better than what they serve on Amtrak—which has MUCH better hot food in their dining cars than what's available even to first class plane customers. Just sayin'.Jacqueline S. Homanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07779679291861072993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-78858628358986304072015-06-06T11:55:03.025-04:002015-06-06T11:55:03.025-04:00Hugs to you and your family. I hope someone with c...Hugs to you and your family. I hope someone with compassion and understanding sits nearby and gives you that knowing look that everything will be fine, or better yet, gives you a verbal acknowledgement that you are a good mom and your child is a good kid. As a fellow mom with a child with Autism, I can assure you there are more people for us than against and I hope those people stand up and be heard as an advocate for our collective families. You will get through it.8nline.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321826727839547672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-57519023519034120362015-06-04T20:01:42.893-04:002015-06-04T20:01:42.893-04:00I am the mom of a child with Autism and we had a p...I am the mom of a child with Autism and we had a pretty traumatic flight during Christmas when flying from Texas to Indiana. Despite my best attempts, I wasn't able to soothe my sensory seeking little boy. I came prepared with all of his favorite things - iPad with his favorite show, water and juice, his favorite snacks, blocks, paci, and a few of his other favorite things. Even though he didn't cry the whole flight, he did have a meltdown that I wasn't able to soothe. MANY families asked the flight attendants to kick us off the plane (some even told us to our faces). I think I was in more tears than my son was. We are flying to Indiana again in a few weeks and I've been sick with anxiety already! Caitlin Cavallarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15410335055205465628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-44775299366104591382015-06-03T10:39:44.013-04:002015-06-03T10:39:44.013-04:00The vomiting was a threat to students' physica...The vomiting was a threat to students' physical health. I think they could have been transported home by other means, but they came home on the bus anyway. The perfume might have given someone a headache. (Perfume+vomit=horrible) Her mother offered to pay (as in fork over a portion of her hard-earned money) for the meal. As for the way her mother worded her request, she may have wanted to word it differently. I don't know the tone of her voice or her exact words, but it may sounded like a threat. Airline staff are hypervigilant and trained to think anything that sounds like a threat is.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10616282351291824392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-77146455996724884822015-05-22T12:40:23.892-04:002015-05-22T12:40:23.892-04:00Kate, I hope if a loved one or friend has a child ...Kate, I hope if a loved one or friend has a child with a neurological disorder that you show kindness, love, and compassion toward the child and family. The comment regarding meals was that airlines always carry extra meals and no one in first class will go without8nline.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321826727839547672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-85376261975360622102015-05-19T14:49:50.745-04:002015-05-19T14:49:50.745-04:00Lack of food for a diabetic can be fatal.
Letting...Lack of food for a diabetic can be fatal.<br /><br />Letting an autistic kid get a bit hungry? Is NOT potentially fatal.<br /><br />And I seriously question the parenting skills of any parent who couldn't be bothered to each their 15 yo (!) to handle being a bit hungry without physically assaulting anybody!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14075630681598355493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-84580526791503883612015-05-17T13:05:26.701-04:002015-05-17T13:05:26.701-04:00I don't blame the mom for not having the hot f...I don't blame the mom for not having the hot food - things happen.<br /><br />I do blame the mom for making a statement that could easily be (and apparently was) interpreted as a threat. And I do blame the mom for expecting someone in first class to give up their meal so that her daughter could have a hot meal.<br /><br />I think a lesson for all of us in this is that if we know our child may need special accommodations in-flight, we request those in advance so that the airline can be prepared. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-85012414449508377602015-05-15T18:35:44.832-04:002015-05-15T18:35:44.832-04:00But Anonymous, the "comfort and needs of 300 ...But Anonymous, the "comfort and needs of 300 people" would have been much more easily accommodated if the airline staff had agreed to the mom's request. The 300 other people on the plane were inconvenienced by the emergency stop because the staff DID NOT agree to her request! The entire flight would have gone much more smoothly for EVERYONE if the staff had been more accommodating. The poor people who were forced to witness the girl's "scratching and meltdown" would not have HAD to witness it if the airline had been more understanding. Greater empathy, kindness, and accommodation make everyone's lives better. It's not a question of fairness; it's a question of making allowances for those who need extra help. The inconvenience and upset were caused by NOT doing that. Period.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-9875883081837717952015-05-15T18:26:54.685-04:002015-05-15T18:26:54.685-04:00That last line is just mean.That last line is just mean.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-87496720720498022262015-05-15T12:02:41.641-04:002015-05-15T12:02:41.641-04:00Airlines keep extra meals. If a diabetic passenger...Airlines keep extra meals. If a diabetic passenger lost track of eating and insulin intake a meal would be available to help revive them without question.8nline.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321826727839547672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-36164507502607749242015-05-15T12:00:05.860-04:002015-05-15T12:00:05.860-04:00As an autism mom, I can testify that it is not pos...As an autism mom, I can testify that it is not possible to be prepared for everything that may or may not occur. When traveling, it is not easy to carry around Ready To Eat Meals, sometimes my son wants the food that other people have due to the aroma. He doesn't always want to eat when it is convenient for the family. I know I have annoyed his cousins for asking them to hand over the last variety box of Corn Pops just to get thru to the next stop, or begged them to let him have the label off of the soft drink bottle they are drinking from because he became obsessed with the design. It's not because I want to give in to his every indulgence or demand, it just makes things go smoother while in closed quarters such as a car; smoother for those of you around us (yes, I am actually thinking of you when I am asking for assistance). Taking care of a melt down is easier in private, we can get thru it in public if we have to, but inevitably people stare, take video and judge and siblings, cousins and Aunts and Uncles get embarrassed . There are those of us "in the know" who tell the uncaring to "move along, nothing to see here" and will stay a comfortable distance until it's over and check on the parent with a caring voice; but we are few and far between. My son is 18 now, still non verbal with behavioral issues; medication helps EASE anxiety but it's still near by, behaviors do not disappear completely (although they are less severe). Yes, when I'm asking for food quickly I may sound angry or aggravated, but not with you person I'm asking for help from. I just know what may happen and that will cause a scene that most people are unfamiliar with and "feel" unsafe. The parent is the one that takes the brunt of the behavior, I've been bitten to the point of blood being drawn, had concussions to the brink of unconciousness , and the only thought on my mind during this time is to keep my child safe from himself and strangers. I don't ask for anything free and if it seems like I'm asking for EXTRA accommodations, well I can't change your mind set, that's you to deal with. 8nline.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321826727839547672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-64364772707280903792015-05-14T23:30:00.271-04:002015-05-14T23:30:00.271-04:00Well there's something I hadn't thought of...Well there's something I hadn't thought of. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-22296317497430630062015-05-14T11:19:25.974-04:002015-05-14T11:19:25.974-04:00The mother neglected to plan ahead and now she pla...The mother neglected to plan ahead and now she plans to SUE THE AIRLINES. Please! How many hot meals is a plane supposed to carry? If the young girl received hot food, you better believe that someone in first class or business class, or one of the crew, went without food during that flight. Please don't rationalize this situation just because it involves someone with special needs. JFIEBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633664414631461288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-85007677878235462892015-05-14T10:29:27.040-04:002015-05-14T10:29:27.040-04:00I wasn't suggesting Juliette speak for herself...I wasn't suggesting Juliette speak for herself. That would be best as you say, but I wasn't criticizing that aspect. Still, you may be right about that in this case. Maybe her mother's description wasn't as inflammatory as it sounded to me.<br /><br />I'm really glad you wrote about this. So many of the responses I've seen to the story are frustrating, it's good to see other people speak up, who have a clearer understanding of what reasonable accommodation means. You don't get everything you want, sometimes not even what you need, but you should get what can be given.apulranghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16133974049950425863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-87024599932226800352015-05-14T10:06:51.868-04:002015-05-14T10:06:51.868-04:00I agree Jake!I agree Jake!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908256354354022780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-65871633876405514632015-05-14T10:04:49.638-04:002015-05-14T10:04:49.638-04:00Agreed!Agreed!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908256354354022780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-56081475546498022822015-05-14T10:03:31.536-04:002015-05-14T10:03:31.536-04:00I completely agree with you! And I'm a parent...I completely agree with you! And I'm a parent of a special needs child.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908256354354022780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-41274585395604361092015-05-14T10:01:11.424-04:002015-05-14T10:01:11.424-04:00I have a special needs child who has several autis...I have a special needs child who has several autistic friends as well as an autistic niece. I think an open discussion is needed yet not shaming the family nor suing the airlines. Please take into account that the flight attendants are human beings also that are trying the best they can. The flight attendants are also moms, dads. sisters…..that have the responsibility to care for and keep safe large numbers. We need to take into account all the safety regulations and procedures that have been put into place because of Sept.11th.<br />We can not have it both ways: protect us or we'll sue, don't protect us or we'll sue. Inform the airlines of our Special Needs Child in advance, response has been, "no, I shouldn't have to let others know of my child's disability, its private" then come back at the airline employees with "well when my child has a fit, its on you". Let's use this incident to help, teach and most importantly, Listen. That's right, we as Special Needs parents need to listen to the people that we are accusing "don't understand". Work together, not rip apart.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908256354354022780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-75123125775679293802015-05-14T00:05:55.960-04:002015-05-14T00:05:55.960-04:00Here's one of the type of comments in response...Here's one of the type of comments in response to the typical toddler who was having a fit being kicked off the flight : "It should be mandatory to sedate all children under the age of 8, for the peace and well being of the rest of the flying public."<br /><br />Sigh....your claim that this would be diffferent if it involved a non disable child is simply incorrect. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-22111684249878650942015-05-13T23:58:59.295-04:002015-05-13T23:58:59.295-04:00Wrong wrong wrong. Planes have turned back based o...Wrong wrong wrong. Planes have turned back based on tantruming toddlers. Google " family kicked off plane toddler". K<br /><br />You simply cannot tell a flight crew "do x or me or my child will gave a fit". A plane will very likely name an emergency landing in that instance. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com