An Arkansas family is sounding the alarm after their nonverbal 4-year-old son with autism was kicked off a Spirit Airlines flight Monday for not wearing a mask.
According to CBS News, the boy’s mother, Callie Kimball, says Carter received a note from his doctor saying he shouldn’t wear masks because every time he wears one he holds his breath or becomes psychotic and hurts himself.
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The family flew with Spirit on Friday without incident to visit family in Las Vegas.
However, the airline refused to accept Carter’s ticket for the return flight, which included a stopover in Dallas.
He has a handicap. She is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and they say: No, no. Autism is not a disability. He should wear a mask or leave the plane, she added.
The family was eventually able to book a new flight on American Airlines, which accepted a doctor’s note.
Spirit Airlines throws 4-year-old boy with autism off plane for not wearing mask https://t.co/DDzD7hBZsR
– CBS News (@CBSNews) March 16, 2021
Spirit said he had already refunded the money for the flight, but blamed the delay on credit card issuers taking their time to credit the money.
In addition, the airline will make changes to its vision coverage policy this week, allowing customers with medical disabilities to apply for an exemption.
We empathize with the families who bear the extra burden of travel, including those with health issues. Like most airlines, Spirit Airlines began requiring face shields in May 2020, with the sole exception of children under the age of 2, to ensure the safety of our guests and crew, Spirit Airlines said in a statement. We remind our customers of our privacy policy throughout the booking process, in pre-departure emails and in the mandatory confirmation that is part of the check-in process. Our current policy does not allow for medical exceptions, regardless of diagnosis.
From the 19th. In March 2021, medically disabled guests 22 years of age or older will be eligible. travel in March 2021, request a waiver from the federal mandate requiring the wearing of masks at airports and on planes. We expect to post information about the exemption on our website later this week, the airline added.
Travelers can visit the Spirit Information Center for more information.
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