Need too vent.....Sorry

[syko]

I thought that in 2009 this would not happen!!!!!!
Now I know that I am classed as a stroller and an animal!!!!!!

This is the email I received from the Women’s Half Marathon (women's running)

Hi (name removed),

After careful consideration, we have decided against allowing wheelchairs of any kind, strollers, animals, or baby joggers. In this inaugural year, the insurance cost just wasn’t feasible. Hopefully, going forward, this will change.


Best Regards,
Kelly


Kelly Baker
Internal Race Manager
Women's Half Marathon
Women's Running Magazine

1499 Beach Dr. SE Ste B
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 502-9202 Ext. 300

KBaker@WomensRunningMag.com

http://www.WomensHalfMarathon.com
http://www.WomensRunningMag.com

 

[FireDancer]

This is kind of off topic but I have to say I have nothing but respect for the wheelchair participants at marathons. I did the Country Music Half this last weekend and watching you guys is just amazing.

I guess I can see where their insurance wouldn't allow wheelchair athletes but just they way they worded it sounds insulting. Hopefully this is not the norm for wheelchair athletes.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Oh, I am so sorry.

I agree with Firedancer, the wording of that e-mail was terrible. A stroller or running with a dog is a choice, your wheelchair is not and for them to classify all three under the same umbrella is awful. Is there someone or an organization you can contact to stop this discrimination? Please let us know if need any help in fighting this ridiculous decision and please feel free to vent away.

Oh, and I have watch many wheelchair racers and you are all amazing athletes. I don't think I would have the courage, determination, and strength to compete in distance racing if I were in your situation. In fact, I know I wouldn't.



Krista

 

[anotherdisneygal]

I would write a long, LETTER, not email explaining that you are an athlete and they should know better than to lump you in with strollers and dogs. Furthermore, that seems a bit discriminatory to me and I'd point that out to them as well. They should really have considered their policy a tad further before sending out that email.

(I have nothing but respect for wheelchair racers, I run and I could not imagine participating in a race where wheelchair racers were not allowed to compete.)

 

[syko]

Thank you
I have sent the email to Achilles Track Club as i'm a member, but I do not know if this is something they would get into.

To me there is no difference wether you run walk or wheel your way accross the finish line, in first or last position we are all athletes and should be treated the same.

 

[plutosmyfav]

This is kind of off topic, too, but I'm going to have a wheel chair racer on the WISH design next time we go to print.

I agree with Krista, is there someone you can forward the email on to who could help? I'm really sorry that woman responded to you like that.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Cool Sunny, I remeber trying to add it on the desgin previously. Cool. Would be nice to have a walker, runner and a wheelchair on theire to represent everyone. Just my two cents.

Tracy

 

[syko]

This is kind of off topic, too, but I'm going to have a wheel chair racer on the WISH design next time we go to print.

Thank you so much, you bought tears to my eyes.

 

[SAHDad]

That's just plain wrong (in addition to being incredibly insulting). I can't imagine that they could not find a way to include wheelers in the race.

I can understand how some trail races might not allow wheelers, but any road race should allow them. I can't imagine using a wheelchair for 26.2 miles (or even a 5k!) - you guys are phenomenal atheletes, and should be encouraged and celebrated, not banned.

 

[twoWDWfools]

If the insurance really is an issue for allowing wheelchairs, then so be it, but the wording of this email is terrible.

I've seen many wheelchair athletes and have a tremendous amout of admiration for all. Hopefully this is not the norm.

 

[VernRDH]

I agree the email is terribly worded. I too have great admiration for wheelchair athletes and others with disabilities who continue to compete in races/events. No one should be excluded based on something that they cannot control. I understand strollers and dogs, but a wheelchair? Really? How can that be in this day and age?

If the insurance was really at issue, perhaps they could have stated that they just hadn't worked out all the kinks, this being their inaugural race and all, but instead invite you to participate in the future.

I would think a group that handles ADA stuff would take up your cause if you chose to pursue it.

 

[suzannews]

Hugs to you Kristie, I hope you can get some better answers as to what is really going on.

 

[syko]

Thanks everyone

I have asked over on the disablity boards as to whether this is legal or not, as some people on there really know the law.

I have sent the email to a disablity running club that I belong too to see if they can do anything and I know someone who is involved with disablity rights and the segway, so when I see him next I will ask him if he knows if this is allowed.

I think that it is a breach of ADA Title III: Public Accommodations, but I would like to know for sure before I go further.

I have never been told that I can not enter a race, I've been told that the course was not suitable and an alternative is found as in the TOT, or in other races I can do the same course and if I damage my chair or myself it my falut, as in the Winter Park race last month when I slashed my tire!!!!!

I do know that if a person with a servie dog (SD) turned up they are NOT allowed to stop them from competing, remember the SD from the Princess??
If I could run I would trun up with my SD to see what they would do!!!! The only reason she does not compete with me now is that she can not keep up!!!

 

[chimera]

Would be nice to have a walker, runner and a wheelchair on theire to represent everyone. Just my two cents.

Tracy

I believe that's what Sunny's working on. I think there'll be a swimmer and cyclist also to help represent the whole realm of WISH talent (if it all fits).

Kirstie...this is crap, pure and simple, especially for an inaugural race. I was thinking about doing this one since it's just about local for me, but not interested now. I'm happy to send them an email.

Can you do Space Coast? It's the following weekend and Tracy's already got a good group of WISHer's going.

 

[amykab]

This is VERY local for me and was hoping to fit it in as a training run for the Full in January. I don't think I will now. I"ll send an email if you post an address.

 

[chimera]

This is what I sent them. I've been a subscriber to their magazine since the first Minnie and I'd be more than happy to dump the subscription if the gesture would help.

"Ok, seriously????

A friend of mine received the following email from you folks regarding wheelchair racers at the inaugural Women's Half Marathon.

I have watched and run with my friend at multiple races at Walt Disney World. Wheelchair racers have never been an issue there.

Lumping her in the same group with strollers and pets is extraordinarily insensitive. I have kids and dogs and I can CHOOSE whether or not to bring them to a race. My friend doesn't have that choice when it comes to her wheelchair.

I dearly hope you'll reconsider this policy in the case of wheelchair athletes. You'll be excluding an incredible group of women athletes if you don't.

Thank you for your consideration."

 

[syko]

you are all so AWESOME, THANK YOU so much, my DH just asked me why I was crying and then he read all your words of support.

This is the contact info I have from the email they sent me:

Kelly Baker
Internal Race Manager
Women's Half Marathon
Women's Running Magazine

1499 Beach Dr. SE Ste B
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 502-9202 Ext. 300

KBaker@WomensRunningMag.com

 

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

Personally, I think you are a little quick to jump to judgement. Yes, the author of that email could have worded her response better, but I think she is listing all the items that are not allowed so as to not single out the disabled wheelchair racers. Instead of saying, "No, we are not allowing wheelchair racers due to insurance issues", which definitely sounds like discrimination, she is informing you of all the are not allowed to show you that you are not being singled out. I have been to races where the wheelchair racers started first ahead of everyone else on the same course, the wheelchair racers were given an alternate course, and races where there simply were no wheelchair racers. I think your statement about being told that a course was not suitable for wheelchairs is probably what the lady meant and being that this is the inaugural year, the sponsors are probably looking into ways to make the race enjoyable to all future participants. I would try contacting them to see if you can work together to come to some sort of solution. You'll get father being an advocate than trying to find all the ways they are breaking the laws. And let me just say, much respect to the disabled athletes. I'm not blind to the dedication and drive y'all have. I hope you are able to touch base with the Women's Running Marathon organizers.

 

[syko]

I am trying to find out if they are breaking the law so that I can go back to them and talk about this, if no law has been broken then there is nothing I can do, as a company are not going to spend more money to include a few if they do not have too.

Many races do not have wheelchair competers simpley because there are not many of us around, compared to walkers / runners.
Even Disney have had races where there have been none.

 

[chimera]

Here's the reply I received today. I don't think it will go much further, Kirstie. It really looks like they just can't with the budget they have. I don't know what adding a wheelchair division to the race costs insurance wise, but looks like they'll be working toward that for the future.

"Dear Dr. Murfin,

Please let me apologize if I sounded in any way insensitive in my answer to
your friend's information request regarding wheelchairs in the race. I
sincerely did not mean to insinuate that a human being is in the same
category as inline skates, pets on leashes, etc. I mentioned those things
as just an example of what we were not able to allow this year, and after
re-reading my email, I realize I could have worded my response much better
than I did. I apologize. Going forward, hopefully as soon as next year,
our goal is to produce a racing event that will have a wheelchair category,
as well as other categories that have also not been able to be included in
this inaugural year. We are truly not trying to exclude anyone, but
unfortunately, budget and insurance costs in this first year have determined
some of the decisions we have had to make.

Again, please accept my sincere apologizes for my offense."