We’ve reached a day in our nation where airline bureaucrats actually prohibited a small child from boarding a flight to receive medical treatment at a hospital.
Even though 4-year-old Michael Seklecki Jr. had been granted a mask exemption from a judge and had the pre-approval of American Airlines executives to fly without a mask – his family watched as his original flight took off… without them on it.
So why would an airline stop a child from getting medical treatment at a hospital?
As it turns out, it was all because American Airlines refused to accept the boy’s negative COVID-19 test results and allow him to fly without a mask.
Even though the family used the free tests Biden’s government had pushed out – apparently the test still wasn’t “acceptable”, since the at-home tests don’t have an official certificate to show proof of negative results.
Michael Seklecki Sr. has been a fierce advocate for his son, Michel Seklecki Jr, who has autism and other intellectual disabilities.
Seklecki even went so far as to take the mask mandate all the way to the courts – and even won a temporary 30-day mask exemption for his son until the courts determine how to further proceed.
Since little Michael Jr. struggles to keep a mask on – this victory, although temporary for now, was a huge win for the family.
Having the backing of the courts AND the approval of American Airlines to allow the mask exemption – the Seklecki family thought they were all set.
American Airlines did let the family know if Michael Jr. wasn’t wearing a mask – he’d have to provide a negative COVID-19 test result.
The family complied, and used the tests they had…
… not knowing that these particular tests didn’t come with an authenticating certificate of test results.
But instead of letting the little boy board his plane – American Airlines refused to let him on the flight.
The Tampa Free Press reported:
“American’s continued discrimination against the disabled is horrific and demeaning,” Michael Seklecki Sr. said in a phone interview shortly after American Flight 1526 departed Miami at 5:39 p.m. without the family.
“We had to book this specialized healthcare appointment for my son almost three months in advance. We went to federal court to ensure American complies with the law, obtained an exemption letter, and it still refused to allow my special-needs son to fly without a mask.”
It is unconscionable this poor child was not allowed to fly and receive medical treatment because of bureaucratic red tape.
Even when the family attempted to jump through the hoops…
… apparently, they didn’t jump “high enough.”
The Tampa Free Press continued:
“Seklecki Sr. said he arrived at MIA more than 2.5 hours before departure time, but American agents refused to check them in because they would not accept Michael Jr.’s COVID-19 antigen test.”
Adults continue to use COVID-19 scare tactics to force children to submit to a bunch of ridiculous mandates – with some cities even forcing kids to carry around papers to prove they’ve gotten the jab.
Sadly, this isn’t the first-time airlines have discriminated against those with physical and intellectual disabilities.
And as Proud American Traveler previously reported, the Seklecki family have already been banned from flying Frontier Airlines because the airline refused to honor the boy’s doctor’s note stating he can’t wear a mask.
And yet again – the family is put through more grief and trauma – even after having prior approval from an American Airlines exec to let the boy fly.
These airlines should be utterly ashamed at how they’ve handled passengers during the COVID-19 madness.
When all this settles down – history won’t look kindly on those who sided with oppression.
What are your thoughts on American Airlines not letting a little 4-year-old boy fly to get medical treatment at a hospital?
Do you think airlines have gone too far?
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