Parents: Store policy discriminates against diabetics

[TexasTowelie]

The clerk picked Trenton Preite, a shy and lanky 15-year-old, out from the group of boys.

"You'll have to leave your bag at the front of the (Hastings Records) store," Trenton remembered the clerk instructing.

"I told him I was diabetic. 'OK, but still you need to put your bag at the front of the store,'" Trenton recalled.

The bag - containing a snack, blood sugar meter, log book, insulin pen and needles - isn't something you leave lying around, said Trenton's step-mom, Michelle Preite.

More at http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2013/aug/20/hastings_bag_mc_081713_217331/?business .

[font color=green]As a diabetic, I know that when my blood sugar gets low I need to have quick access to glucose or my heart will be begin to race. In addition, the cost of insulin is expensive and I'd be wary that someone else might inadvertently claim a backpack when they leave the store. While the store might have legitimate concerns about shoplifting, I believe that most of their goods are already electronically tagged to prevent those losses. If they have questions about the young man carrying a weapon, then they should request to inspect the backpack as a compromise. The medical concerns of the shopper outweigh store policy and the accommodation requested is reasonable so I think the parents have a legitimate complaint.[/font]

[Ilsa]

1. Thanks for the tip.

If that policy is company-wide, they need to hear about the backlash if they don't lighten up.

[TexasTowelie]

8. You're welcome.

I agree with you that if there is a company-wide policy prohibiting bags and backpacks, then some exceptions need to be available for medical reasons.

[Wait Wut]

2. They're probably more concerned with shoplifters.

I know most stores won't allow backpacks.

Asking to inspect the backpack is reasonable. Be prepared to let them inspect on the way out of the store, as well.

[JimDandy]

3. Why inspect a backpack on the way in?

Going out--yes.

[TexasTowelie]

4. As I mentioned in my OP,

they could be carrying some type of weapon, smoke bomb, etc.

[JimDandy]

5. Into a store? I must live

far away from any place that finds it necessary for a book store to inspect a pack on the way in. Yikes. Be safe!

[TexasTowelie]

6. I don't think that there is anything happening in Victoria that doesn't happen in other mid-size

cities. It could even be something like bringing a toy gun into a store like that which could serve as a trigger which would escalate into a larger incident. If the kid wants to go there, then it seems a reasonable compromise so that he can keep his medication closeby. If the kid refuses to accommodate the owner if they were trying to find a reasonable compromise, then the owner should have the right to refuse entry to not only prevent shoplifting but also to ensure the safety of the rest of the customers.

[JimDandy]

7. I agree...search his bag so he can have meds.

I've been asked to leave my briefcase/backpack at the desk or in a locker before entering places like a historical docs room in a library. Never a store. My suburban shopping habits have been exposed (Denver area). Or maybe this is something new since Boston?