Mother's fury as son, six, is barred from trampoline park because he has Down Syndrome

A mother has been left raging after her six-year-old son was told he wasn't allowed on the trampolines at an amusement park because he has Down Syndrome.

Single mother Francesca Friend, 36, took James and his sister Georgie, seven, to Flip Out, in Chelston Heath, Somerset on October 29.

She booked the tickets - totalling £75 - online and they travelled over an hour from their home in Yeovil for the outing.

But they were distraught to be told by a staff member James would not be allowed on the trampoline unless they provided paperwork with permission from a doctor.

Devastated James had been 'talking about it for days', his mother said, adding: 'He just wants to join in.'

'How do you explain that to a child?'

The mother-of-two said: 'It was horrible. It should be the parents' choice and I would have been holding his hand the whole way round.'

According to their website, Flip Out's policy follows The British Gymnastics Association guidelines and says customers with Down Syndrome and neck instability have to obtain evidence from a GP or pediatrician saying they are fit to partake in the activity.

This is because people with Down Syndrome are more likely to have atlanto-axial instability - a condition where there is excessive movement or instability between the first two vertebrae of the spine.

But Ms Friend believes some discretion should be used if a parent accompanies the child.

She said: 'My son is not going to be doing flips and stuff. He just wants to join in - he's quite capable of bouncing.

'James had been talking about it for days, and his sister, Georgie, was just as thrilled.'

Upon arrival, the family was given wristbands, and everything seemed to be going smoothly until an employee approached and asked the mother if her son had Down Syndrome.

She confirmed, not anticipating any issue, however the employee then informed her that James could not enter the trampoline area due to safety concerns.

'They said that if he fell awkwardly, he could hurt himself,' Ms Friend said.

'I tried to explain that I would be there holding his hand the entire time.'

She said James' father had taken him previously without any problems.

'It's discrimination, plain and simple. Their policies shouldn't prevent children like James from enjoying the same activities other kids get to experience.

'James was devastated; he was really looking forward to it, and Georgie was just as heartbroken. It's hard to watch your kids go through that.'

Although the park provided a refund, she was told it would take up to five days to process.

'It should be the parents' choice to determine if it's safe or not.

'We know our children best and what they're capable of.'

Flip Out Somerset general manager Jeremy Appiah said: 'The health and safety of our customers is of the utmost importance to us at Flip Out. We do everything in our power to ensure that our customers have a fun and safe time at our indoor adventure park.

'As regards customers that visit Flip Out with children and young people who have Down Syndrome, we make them aware that we follow the guidelines issued by the British Gymnastics Association and The Down Syndrome Association.

'This guidance recommends that prior to taking part in activities at Flip Out, customers with Down Syndrome are asked to obtain evidence that a GP or Paediatrician has screened them using the screening test developed by the BGA for Atlanto-Axial Instability.

'Approval for participation that is signed by the GP or paediatrician must be provided before taking part in any trampolining activities.

'The parent of the child at Flip Out Somerset had signed a safety waiver which details the request for evidence of screening and then my staff explained the situation to the parent when they entered the arena with their son.

'These are extremely challenging conversations for staff to have with parents and their children about the guidance, but I know that this was done in a sensitive manner.

'While this situation is regretful, it is the only way that we can guarantee the safety of all of our customers. The family were given a full refund and were told that we look forward to welcoming them back when they have the relevant paperwork from their GP or paediatrician.'