Disabled Toddler Kicked Out of Restaurant for Noisy Orthopedic Shoes
Catherine Duke was hanging out at Panera recently with her young daughters, 3-year-old Ana and 2-year-old Emma. As a stay-at-home-mom, she frequented the restaurant as a way to get out of the house (Raise your hand if you"ve been there, done that!) and was friendly with many of the employees there. Which is why what happened next is totally weird and not a little bit disconcerting.
Emma suffers from an undiagnosed medical condition that has led to developmental delays - including walking. She didn't walk until she was 23 months old. Her orthopedist recommended shoes with extra ankle support, which squeak when she walks correctly from heel to toe. The squeaking bothered another customer - and Catherine was asked to remove her daughter's shoes or leave the restaurant. Ref. Source 2