Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... AUTISM Mom plans to sue after autistic daughter removed from plane Flight made emergency landing Comment By Tim Fought The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Tim Fought The Associated Press Posted May. 12, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Tim Fought The Associated Press Posted May. 12, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News PORTLAND — An Oregon woman said Monday she intends to sue United Airlines after her flight home made an emergency landing, and authorities removed her family from the plane after she and the flight crew had problems finding her autistic 15-year-old daughter something to eat. Donna Beegle said her daughter, Juliette, can be a picky eater and sometimes lashes out if she doesn't get what she wants, but she hopes a lawsuit would lead to training for airline employees about dealing with people who have autism. "This is about a few, simple accommodations," she said. United, however, said flight crews did make special concessions for the girl but ultimately "made the best decision for the safety and comfort of all of our customers and elected to divert to Salt Lake City after the situation became disruptive." The conflict came May 5 on a flight home from a family trip to Disney World. The girl had refused to eat at a layover in Houston and had turned down nuts, raisins, a granola bar and Juliette's favorite blue Jolly Ranchers that the family had packed, Beegle said. Juliette wanted a hot meal, Beegle said, so she purchased a chicken sandwich and asked for it to be warmed in a microwave. The crew refused, she said, telling her the sandwich would get soggy. Beegle said she told flight attendants that her daughter was about to have a tantrum, and that she could scratch someone. After about 40 minutes, Beegle said, the crew got the teen a hot serving of jambalaya from first class, "and she was perfectly happy." Shortly afterward, however, an emergency landing in Salt Lake City was announced, and they were removed, she said. The family of four was booked on another flight to Portland, on another carrier, United said. The airline wouldn't specify Monday whether the flight was diverted because of a perceived threat, the discomfort of other passengers or some other reason. The airline said it wouldn't make crew members available for comment. Beegle, an advocate for the poor, said her daughter travels frequently and has been to Europe, Mexico and nearly two dozen U.S. states, including Hawaii. She's not able to say what she wants to eat, but nothing like this has ever happened, Beegle said. Autism is a wide-ranging disorder that can be marked by difficulty communicating and behavioral difficulties. Some passengers have said they didn't think the girl's behavior was disruptive enough to divert the plane, but Marilyn Hedlund said she thought the flight crew did the right thing. Hedlund said the girl had been "wailing" during the flight. The crew "did everything in their power to calm the situation, including getting her hot food from first class," Hedlund said. "It wasn't just a snap decision." By Tim Fought The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Tim Fought The Associated Press Posted May. 12, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501