An outraged dad has claimed his teenage daughter with Down’s syndrome was excluded from a trampoline park birthday party because she didn’t have a doctor’s note.
Graham Lamont accused Air Thrill in East Kilbride ofdiscrimination after reporting that his daughter Nina, 14, was told she couldn’t join in on an event at their centre.
The parent blasted what he believes are “discriminatory policies” – around fears over an increased risk of neck instability in people with Down’s Syndrome – stating that Nina takes part in PE activities in a mainstream school without ever having had to provide a medical certificate.
He also told how she has been using a trampoline at home since she was able to walk.
Graham said: “Air Thrill East Kilbride who refused to let my daughter bounce on their trampolines because she was born with Downs Syndrome. It is the first time in 14 years I have experienced such discrimination.
“They wanted a doctor’s note to verify her suitability to go on the trampolines. She doesn’t need a medical certificate to attend a mainstream school and take part in all P.E activities.
“She doesn’t need a doctor’s certificate to go swimming twice weekly or attend dancing twice weekly and ironically she’s been bouncing on her own trampoline since she’s been able to walk.”
He continued: “I now have a wee girl who couldn’t attend a birthday party with her friends. Their policies are discriminatory.”
Mr Lamont has been backed by national charity Down’s Syndrome Scotland, who state that risks around neck instability can affect the wider population and not just individuals with Down’s.
A spokesperson told the Record: “Neck instability is a condition that occurs within the population at large; it is not specific to people with Down’s syndrome.
“To adopt a ban for the Down’s syndrome community feels discriminatory when there is no requirement for the general population to provide a doctor’s certificate to attend a trampoline park.
“We believe, that if it is good enough for one parent to sign a waiver on behalf of their child, it should be good enough for parents of children with Down’s syndrome to do likewise.
“We call on all trampoline parks to review their practice and stop this blunt approach and we stand ready to inform and educate businesses on the abilities and potential of all people with Down’s syndrome.”
“It is particularly upsetting to hear of children and young people with Down’s syndrome being turned away when attending as part of a group, including birthday parties.”
But bosses at Air Thrill argued that they are following British Gymnastics safety guidance and that it is a mandatory for a person with Down’s Syndrome to have medical approval to participate as a condition of their insurance.
Narinder Singh Baryah of WonderWorld Group, who run Air Thrill, said: “I have been in touch with Mr Lamont on the matter.
I have also reached out to Down’s Syndrome Scotland with a view to further discussing this issue.
“Current guidance for participation is to follow the British Gymnastics guidance on a medical issue known as Atlanto-Axial Instability.
“This relates to a risk of weakness in the neck, making some individuals who suffer from this condition more prone to injury, including serious injury and paralysis.
“Given trampolining is considered an extreme sport, we believe it is imperative that we take all measures to reduce the likelihood of injury.
“The guidance recommends that any participant who suffers from Down’s Syndrome is screened by a suitably qualified medical professional and if satisfied that they don’t suffer from this, they would then certify that the child, or individual concerned is clear to participate.
“On receipt of such certification, we would allow the individual to participate at our venue.
“This guidance is adopted by most trampoline park operators and gymnastic clubs in the UK and furthermore, it is a mandatory condition of our insurance and license to operate.
“I would like to assure Mr Lamont that we were in no way discriminating against his daughter.”
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