Gizelle Laurente was outraged when her son Jacob Priem turned away from a Qantas flight due to his autism. Picture: Aaron Burton Source: News Corp Australia
JACOB Priem had been looking forward to visiting his dad and baby brother for Easter since February – only to have his hopes dashed at the last minute.
The six-year-old was booked to fly from Darwin to Brisbane yesterday.
His mum Gizelle Laurente, couldn’t afford to fly with him to drop him off so he was booked through Qantas’s unaccompanied minor service.
As per normal procedure, the captain of the plane met with Ms Laurente at the boarding gate. Ms Laurente told him that although her son was autistic he had been given a higher than normal dose of medication that morning to ensure a smooth journey – as per his doctor’s advice.
Complete with a letter supporting Jake’s travel from his paediatrician Ms Laurente couldn’t see a reason why her son wouldn’t be able to fly.
“The pilot told me unless you buy a ticket and travel with your son he won’t be flying,” she said.
“I explained that I couldn’t afford a ticket and he said ‘well I’m sorry your son can’t board’.
“I was heartbroken for him, I just started crying.”
However, a spokesman for Qantas said the paperwork Ms Laurente presented at the time of boarding was normally presented when booking the tickets or a few days ahead of travel.
“The health and safety of our passengers is our foremost concern at all times,” the spokesperson said.
“In this case, the crew sought professional medical advice and took the decision not to allow travel until further information about the condition could be gathered.
“The crew had the passenger’s best interests in mind and there was absolutely no intention to cause distress or discriminate in any way.”
Ms Laurente said the fact that yesterday marked World Autism Awareness Day made the decision especially cruel.
“My son was discriminated against because he has autism … it was degrading,” she said.
“We can light the Sydney Opera House blue to raise awareness for autism but my son can’t catch a plane on his own because he is different.”
Ms Laurente said Jacob attend Nightcliff Primary School and had few behavioural issues.
“He is in a normal school, he is very high functioning,” she said.
“He was just sitting quietly at the airport waiting for his flight, he wasn’t causing any trouble, I just don’t understand.”
There was another unaccompanied minor, a seven-year-old girl, who was allowed to board the flight.
The Qantas spokesman said the airline was in touch with the family and hoped to be able to offer a re-booking.
The NT News understands Jacob was offered a flight to Brisbane today and will make it to Brisbane in time for Easter with his dad.
source:news.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 