My family visited SeaWorld Orlando on Saturday, February 13th. My 10 year old has an autoimmune disease. He is on a medically restrictive diet (The Specific Carbohydrate Diet) to treat this disease. I have a doctors note that clearly states, due to his medical diagnosis and dietary restrictions he is allowed to take specially prepared food where ever he goes.

I had a backpack sized cooler bag and an insulated lunch tote with his meals and snacks for the day. While going through security the employee called for the manager to get approval. I showed him the doctors note and he refused to allow the food in. I tried explaining to him that my son cannot have gluten, grains, dairy, soy, sugar or any preservatives in his food. He cannot eat at restaurants no matter how carefully prepared due to the risk of cross contamination.

He said he would call the parks operation coordinator. I pleaded with them both to accommodate my child and to allow him to have the food he needed for his day in the park. They said they are private property and have the right to refuse it. He said he would accommodate us to bring in some of it, but not all of it. He rummaged through my snack bags and asked for each item.. this? This? Like it was some kind of sick game.

In the end, he let me bring in one juice, one bag of apples, a container of fresh cherries, a container of chicken and a bag of potato chips. His other snacks (dried fruit, fruit strips, specially prepared peanut butter cookies, peanuts, etc) had to stay in the car.

Try explaining to a 10 year old who already feels different from everyone else that in order for him to have safe food options he has to stop what he is doing and leave the park to go to the car and eat. Unacceptable!!

I’m sure it all boils down to not wanting to lose money, but I have 2 other children, who thankfully do not have the same restrictions and we purchased food for them. Thousands of people attend daily and don’t have this need. My 1 child did and he was discriminated against for his need.

No one would’ve questioned a bottle of pills, but because we use food as medicine we were targeted. No one would dare tell someone they couldn’t wear their glasses, hearing aid, or use their wheelchair inside the park. My child has an ‘invisible’ disorder inside his stomach that no one can see and therefore his needs were not met.

I am hoping that changes will be made so this doesn’t happen to any other families in the future. Food policies should not apply to individuals with food allergies or dietary restrictions.