Five-year-old Isaiah Tate gets a real kick out of going to the playground, even though he just watches other children playing on the swings and slides.
That's because he's in a wheelchair.
The gorgeous little boy may not be able to talk or walk but he thoroughly enjoys being near the action at the children’s play area inside the Mall of Georgia in Atlanta.
“He laughs and giggles and he’s so animated. You can tell that he really enjoys being there,” his mother April Tate told ABC affiliate WSB.
However, their last trip to the mall on Friday ended in utter humiliation for Isaiah and his family.
A mall security guard asked them to leave the play area because Isaiah’s wheelchair posed a safety hazard.
“It felt like we were being singled out,” his mother said.
“They’re asking me to take my son, who is not in the way of anyone, out of a play area that is meant for children.”
Isaiah’s dad Dana Tate caught the shocking moment on his mobile phone and posted it on Facebook, where it's been shared thousands of times.
“Everyone is a person, regardless of race, colour or disability – everyone should be treated the same,” he said.
The management at the Mall of Georgia said it was a big misunderstanding and later apologised to Isaiah’s family.
“Our expectation is to provide an inclusive environment that is safe, comfortable and accessible for everyone. And we have no policy that states otherwise."
“We have connected with Isaiah’s mother to rectify the unfortunate and unacceptable misunderstanding, and are addressing this with our mall team and Allied Barton, our security provider, to ensure this does not occur in the future.”
Watch the shocking moment below.
