17-Year-Old Girl With No Hands Not Allowed On SeaWold Rides!
A teen born with no hands is humiliated after
being kicked off a roller coaster at SeaWorld -
one she says she’s been allowed to ride before.
According to the amusement park, 17-year-old Katie
Champagne didn't meet safety requirements, the
Orlando Sentinel reported.
“My heart just sank,” she said, explaining how a
SeaWorld Orlando employee told her she had to exit
the Kraken coaster.
“I was like, ‘Oh no, not again,’ ” she said.
While Champagne insists the park has allowed her
to ride the coaster before, it’s not the first
time safety rules have prohibited her from having
fun. She recounted to the Sentinel being barred
from Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at
Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure in
December.
In both situations, Champagne was told she
couldn’t ride because of her disability. Without
hands, she wouldn't be able to grasp the pull-down
harness, employees stated.
“Our policies regarding guests with disabilities
were written in consultation with ride safety
experts,” said SeaWorld Orlando spokesman Nick
Gollattscheck.