January 8, 2010
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Special kids in plane
Travel
Recently, a special child was denied to board Cebu Pacific by its cabin crew because the child was said to be "mentally ill" and the airline apparently has rules that discriminates special kids (link to news here).
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TVAnother mother said that she and her Down-syndrome stricken child was also asked to get off the plane, also because of the said policy (link to news here).
This treatment is in violation to RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
Because of the Philippine's poor implementation of existing laws, RA 7277 has not been fully implemented and still most differently-abled people suffer from discrimination. This includes mentally-challenged individuals and children.
Apparently Cebu Pacific offered to give the humiliated passenger four round-trip tickets. A gesture, which, I would consider to be insulting. Such humiliation deserves lifetime free rides for the child and a guardian, if it was me. Still the damage has been done.
We could not blame Cebu Pacific or their cabin crew for acting in such a manner, believing that they are protecting the interest of most of the passengers onboard. Apparently, they have not been informed of RA 7277, which again would bring the blame back to the agencies tasked to implement the law.
But as they say, ignorance of the law excuses no one.
What do you think of Cebu Pacific's action with regards to this matter?
What do you think should Cebu Pacific do in order for it to redeem itself from this PR dilemma?
Comments (16)
wow that is disgusting. i dont see how they can treat people like that
@Eternalimplosion - the stewardess did not know the difference between a mentally-ill and mentally-challenged individual. Poor kid, indeed. My government still has to fully implement this law and this incident shows the necessity to educate the people about it. Sadly, someone has to be humiliated and be inconvenienced to wake government people up.
How are you? How's university? Hope your coping well
@tribong_upos - ive never been formally educated about the differences between mentally ill and the mentally handicapped. Its just general social knowledge...so i kinda think that is a lame excuse on the stewardesses part.
School is good, i am good, nothing to exciting to report really. =] How are you?
God created special people way they’re for reasons which reason we don’t know and they’re very special people, special in God’s eye. But human denied them. To deny special people is heartless. To deny people with special needs is a cruel act.
woow... that is awful, and rather sad.
It is sad that terrorists with bombs can fly, but poor, helpless children can't.
@RestlessButterfly - i totally agree... some people can just be so insensitive sometimes...
@Insomnia_Pickles_XtraTomato - ditto
@Ricardo98 - true,,, it baffles me to think how unreasonable people can be because of how they measure a certain individual... if someone looks funny, he's discriminated, but if he is so cordial and good looking, forget about protocol...
@RestlessButterfly - thanks for the rec
That is appalling. I'm actually speechless which if you knew would surprise you.
I personally differentiate between mental illness and a disability. That being said - so what?! Having either should not prevent you from being able to get on a plane and STAY on a plane, if you so choose. This is ... harks back to the dark ages, I think. Disgusting.
@Passionflwr86&@Passionflwr86 - thanks you guys,,, many people do share your your views on this... even here in the Philippines, most people do find this appalling... i hope that the issue on discrimination, especially among the disabled, won't just as that, an item in the news... i, personally, as a person who works with disabled individuals, believe that something has to be done about it...
thanks, you guys 
It will take a lot to redeem themselves. That was just uncalled for.
@TroyEllison - that is true... thanks for the rec...
@quietmeteorshowers- thanks for the rec
@tribong_upos - You are welcome.
I don't think it's right. Having Down Syndrome isn't like having a schizophrenia.
@EltonxEvermore - true... and they are not a hazard... most of thsoe i know who has down syndrome are well behaved...
Comments are closed.