02/17/2012 0 Comments Contact Our News Editors

A Danvers mom who just wanted her autistic son to be able to do things the other kids can do, is learning that by speaking up, one person can evoke change.

It all started when Lea Irzyk wanted to sign up her autistic son for "Learn to Skate" group skating lessons at the James McVann-Louis O'Keefe Memorial Rink on Lowell Street in Peabody.

"We don't want to stick out -- we don't want to make Jack feel different from anybody else," Irzyk told FOX 25's Heather Hegedus.

Skating seemed to be an outlet Jack exceeded at and enjoyed -- despite his disability. Special needs experts explain to FOX 25 that it can be difficult for autistic children to break away from regular routines for new activities, and environments with lots of noise or people can lead to a sensory overload for autistic children.

That's why Irzyk was so pleasantly surprised when Jack went for his first skate this winter and immediately asked when he could go skating again.

"I was so shocked and he seemed so happy," said Irzyk.

But when Irzyk called the city-run rink to ask about the lessons, she also asked the employee if they'd make an exception and allow a parent to accompany Jack on the ice because of his special needs.

The employee told Irzyk - sorry - but no exceptions.

"I said well you realize you're discriminating against a child with special needs. [The employee] said: 'I'm sorry - I don't feel that's what we're doing. We can't make exceptions because then other children would want their parents on the ice as well,' " Irzyk said. "I said well basically so what you're telling me is children with Autism can't take learn to skate. [The employee] said: 'well maybe you guys can look into private lessons,' and that was hard to hear," said Irzyk.

Irzyk decided to write a "Letter to the Editor" to the Salem Evening News, and from there - the support started pouring in from other parents. Her letter went viral - it circulated on Facebook, and calls came flooding into FOX 25.

Terri Farrell, a parent volunteer with the organization "Autism Speaks" says, unfortunately the Irzyk's story is not unlike many stories she's heard from autistic families about their struggles to get people and organizations to make special accommodations for someone with autism.

"That the lack of understanding [from, people who don't know much about Autism] results in the policies that say 'we can't have this child in our program' - when often, the policies might require just a small adjustment - not much at all," said Farrell.

And the situation also caught the attention of Peabody's new mayor, Ted Bettencourt, who immediately called the Irzyks, offered an apology and said he would make the situation right.
Now the rink has reversed their decision, and the Irzyk's will be allowed to skate by Jack's side. It's also prompted greater change from the rink that could lead to further children and adults being included, as well. The rink has posted a new sign on its lobby door that says:

"It is the City of Peabody's policy to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities in their use of the Peabody Skating Rink. If you need adaptations or accommodations due to a specific disability, please contact the Rink Manager."

"There's some instances where there's got to be reasonable accommodations," Mayor Ted Bettencourt (D-Peabody) told FOX 25, "and this is certainly one of those and we want Jack skating here."