The NCAAP organized a rally to protest a local restaurant on Saturday after a father claimed his 9-year-old special needs daughter was mistreated by employees there.
About 50 protesters picketed outside the Chuck E. Cheese restaurant located on Cumberland Boulevard in Smyrna. The protesters included parents from a special needs parents group and civil rights activists.
Mark Eschoe said he took his daughter, Marley, to Chuck E. Cheese to attend a children’s birthday party back in May. Eschoe said his daughter had just gotten out of the hospital after suffering two strokes caused by brain aneurysms. The strokes left the child with minor brain damage but she can walk with minimal assistance.
“We were there for about 20 minutes when she finally said, ‘Hey Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom,’” Eschoe told Channel 2 Action News.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eschoe said the men’s room was full, but a waitress suggested he take her to the ladies room which was empty at the time.
But as he approached the ladies room with Marley, a manager stepped in, became agitated and said, “No.”
Negotiations between the father and the manager broke down quickly.
“She just went, ‘You know what? I’m done. I’m not going to inconvenience my patrons. I don’t care if she’s special needs. I’m not going to treat her any differently,’” Eschoe said.
Eschoe complained that the restaurant violated the American’s with Disabilities Act by not providing an alternative for his daughter.
A spokesman from Chuck E. Cheese corporate office in Texas told Channel 2 the women’s restroom was occupied and employees were working on an alternative solution.
Chuck E. Cheese tried to reach out to Marley’s parents but were unsuccessful (Marley’s mother did not attend the party).
Of course, the Eschoes are considering taking legal action. Once again entitlement rears it’s ugly head in a situation that could have been easily resolved by using common sense.
No woman wants to encounter a grown man in a public restroom. Furthermore, a man entering a ladies room with a 9-year-old girl is simply inappropriate.
Mr. Eschoe could have simply asked one of the females in his party to escort the child into the restroom.
Instead of the media blaming the entitled parent for overreacting, the blame is placed on the establishment for trying to protect their female patrons.
This is what happens when the media promotes entitlement as the norm instead of promoting common sense and common courtesy.
