Disabled 7-year-old ejected from theater for laughing too loud

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Kbuck - "differently abled individuals."


Someone's been reading their George Carlin books. Hell, I'm differently abled. So is everyone. Love it how the PC folks have made it so now we have a term to discribe a specific group of people with a term that has no meaning at all.

 

[LoKyBuckeye]

Of course he's not a slowbie... he doesnt' wear Michigan T-Shirts.

ok, now that's funny :)

no problem. I know how we all joke on this board... I'm just touchy on that subject.

 

[Deety]

Kicking out the kid was surely bad judgment. But, where do you draw the line?
Say a Tourette's Syndrome sufferer is sitting in the theater during "Passion Of The Christ" -- is that fair to the rest of the audience? Is it fair to ask the sufferer to leave?

I work in the arts... someone breaks silence, and suddenly it's like watching a football game without being able to see half the field. We've had meetings about how to handle situations where someone isn't able to control their speech, or even when an oxygen tank's cycling can be heard all throughout the performance space. In the end everyone agrees... you just don't kick someone out for something they simply can't help. Try to find the least disruptive seating possible, ask if they'd rather attend a less-quiet performance for free, or find a creative solution. I've invited families on "special behind the scenes tours" where they watch from monitors backstage, listen to the staff's funny stories and meet the performers afterwards... those are always a big hit. Nobody gets offended when you show them proper respect. And when you can't do anything to "fix" the experience for everyone else... well, we deal with it. Just part of everyone being human together.

One of my favorite performances EVER was designed especially for a crowd of autistic children. It was loud and rowdy, but I've never seen a more appreciative group in my life. As a matter of fact, I really ought to get going and recreate that experience here... thanks for the reminder.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I actually did take the kids to see the penguin movie this weekend and there wasn't anything funny about it. Accordingly, they were right to throw him out. The Court finds for the defendant. Next case?