We were fortunate enough to receive our service dog, Shia, for our daughter at the same time as the Diamond-Tsingos family. It is inconceivable that a corporation that is supposedly as forward-thinking as Bally, would have the audacity and temerity to deny admittance to Robert and his dog, Anna. We have encountered few problems with acceptance of our dog and the one company whose manager did give my wife a hard time, no longer does hair cuts for our family. Most people and businesses have been very courteous and accepting of our daughter and her dog.
It would seem that a major fitness corporation would be progressive enough to realize that their acceptance of this family who has been members of their club for many years would be an act of goodwill (even knowing that it is legally mandated that they be allowed to be on the premises). Their unwillingness to follow the standard, legal guidelines only hurts their image in the community. There is enough discrimination in the world. Maybe, this Bally club is in need of new management or else they need a refresher course on sensitivity and common sense in the work place.
For more about the situation read the following from WTVO.com from July 21, 2006:
A Local Family Says Its Autistic Son Faced Discrimination by a Local Corporation
Rockford, Illinois- Susan Diamond-Tsingos had planned a trip to the gym, but says Bally Total Fitness said no because she wanted to bring her son, Robert, and his service dog.
Robert is autistic.
"It was the first time I had ever felt discriminated against and it hurt," says Diamond-Tsingos. "And it wasn`t just me; it was my son, so it was more magnified."
Diamond-Tsingos says Robert’s dog, Anna, keeps him from having panic attacks; she`s necessary for him to go out in public. Diamond-Tsingos says she explained that to the manager at the East State Street Bally Total Fitness.
"She’s not just a regular pet dog, she`s my son`s service dog and he said, `There’s nothing I can do, we don`t allow animals in the health club,`" says Diamond-Tsingos. "And I was left speechless."
Matt Messinger is a spokesman for the company.
"Bally Total Fitness is working with the family to accommodate the needs of its members," says Messinger. "The health and safety of our members is our number one priority."
But Julianne Taylor, who trains service dogs, says it shouldn`t be a matter of working things out. She believes both federal and the state`s "White Cane Law" are being violated.
The "White Cane Law" reads: "Any person or corporation who interferes with admittance of the public facilities shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor."
"If Bally`s doesn`t allow access to Anna, the next step would be to file criminal charges with the State`s Attorney`s Office," says Taylor.
"Having a child that`s autistic is enough of a challenge; you`d like to think the public is on your side," says Diamond-Tsingos.
Bally Total Fitness reps say they`re doing everything they can to accommodate Robert and Anna.
"It felt awful, it really did," says Diamond-Tsingos. "But I’m just a little person, what I am going to do."
WTVO.com - Rockford, IL
