🚨 Delta Airlines Update 🚨 FIRST, the backstory: My 3 year old son has a neuromuscular disease. He is gtube fed, just took his first steps 5 weeks ago, has bone and joint difference from head to toe, etc. Since we began traveling with him we have always qualified and have utilized the pre-boarding for disabilities. We also had our 1 year old with us at this time. We have never had an issue. We’ve always been told we do not need to do anything except make the gate attendant aware of the fact that our son has a disability and have never had an issue On 8/15 we were traveling home through Delta Airlines from WA state. Our first flight was delayed 3 hours. We missed our connection in which we were then rebooked on the last flight going home to TN. This meant we had a 6.5+ hour delay at the MSP airport. Upon boarding we were denied recording because it was for “only wheelchairs” and “not for children”. This denial came after telling the gate agent he was disabled with a muscular disease. She continued pointing towards the back of the line and repeated herself multiple times “only wheelchairs”. With all of this happening, my 3 YEAR OLD was complaining of back pain. It comes with his kyphosis (curvature of his spine) he was in a stroller or crawling around all day and his body was in PAIN. For more of the event details, please click on our page and find our original post❤️ 8/18 Update: Today I spoke with a customer experience GM at Delta Airlines MSP. She was reaching out based on the complaint I filed the next day. This is the complaint in which did not have enough characters to explain the event. I told her the story, she apologized multiple times and let me know she needed this information to avoid future issues like this and to hold both the woman and her manager accountable. I was informed that this issue would be sent to corporate. I’m unsure if that is true. I have received many messages from people who’ve also had issues with airlines, who have also been discriminated against, had theirs or their children’s ACAA or ADA rights violated, etc. and their own complaints went no where. I was also informed that my son’s rights WERE in fact violated and what the gate attendant did was in fact, wrong and against policy. (Not that I needed any confirmation) She did speak about these employees by name and did tell me that they are looking into the matter. I was informed that I would either receive a follow up call from her herself OR corporate about this. I informed her that I would not stop talking about this until it is completely resolved and I should’ve never been in a position to be humiliated by their employee, especially in front of all of the other passengers and my family. I also asked if (for THEIR own eyes), they’d pull the video of the encounter and watch it. (I did not receive an answer on this) I’m hoping this post reaches someone higher up at Delta Airlines. Someone who can make a real difference in how airline employees treat anyone with a disability. This behavior is inexcusable and I will not back down just becuase it’s easier to stay silent. My child’s future and my child’s RIGHTS are at stake. To the disability community of both seen and unseen conditions, this matter isn’t something to take lightly. The ACAA (Air Carrier Access Act) is there for a reason. It makes travel possible for those who live with a disability, it allows for a smoother flight experience for BOTH those with a disability and all other passengers. To those advising me to file with DOT, it is advised that we talk to Delta first. Pending the outcome of our communications with Delta will depend on if that complaint gets filed. No 3 YEAR OLD should be sitting in a stroller, complaining of BACK PAIN due to his DISABILITY in the same moment a Delta Airlines employee is DENYING pre-boarding for disabilities. Thank you, Kaitlyn Schara- Jackson’s mom💗 #mspairport #nemalinemyopathy #arthrogryposis #deltaairlines #acaa - @jacksonsnmjourney