Why is American Airlines treating this child with such contempt?
He has Downs Syndrome, not some communicable disease
If you've never known a child like this, then you have missed one of the better experiences of your lifetime.
The family of a California teen with Down syndrome thought its troubles were over when United Airlines let them board a cross-country flight after American Airlines barred them Sunday from boarding one of its flights, citing fears the teen could be disruptive.
But their new flight on United proved nearly as traumatic, said Robert Vanderhorst of Porterville, the father of 16-year-old Bede Vanderhorst, who has Down syndrome.
"Insult was added to injury" Vanderhorst said when the family of three found themselves seated in the very back row of the United airplane behind two empty rows of seats.
United Airlines did not directly address the question of the seating arrangements Wednesday and advised a Fresno Bee reporter to seek comment from American Airlines, which ticketed the family onto the United flight.
The incident with American Airlines at Newark, N.J., airport made national news and raised the ire of disability rights advocates, who called on both airlines to improve staff training.
Robert Vanderhorst, a lawyer, said he thinks United discriminated as well because his family was originally booked for row 35, then suddenly switched to row 37 without explanation.
"We were in the back of the bus," he said.
Furthermore, when other passengers tried to
