Jo Ashline

If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you’ve read this one, got super fired up, and now you’re here for an update.

First of all, I want to thank everyone who supported Andrew and our family. Many of you took the time to make phone calls to the aquarium, send messages via social media, leave reviews, and connect with us personally, and your efforts paid off.

After playing phone tag throughout the day, Ed Mastro, the Director of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro was finally able to connect with me this evening. We spent an hour on the phone and the conversation began with a heartfelt, genuine apology from him on behalf of the entire establishment. Ed made it very clear that while the aquarium has always worked hard to be an inclusive place for everyone, this incident highlighted the fact that more needs to be done. He admitted he has very little knowledge about autism and realizes staff training in this area is imperative. He has graciously asked for my help and I have enthusiastically agreed to assist in their commitment to learning more about our kids and how they can make families like ours feel welcome, safe, and accommodated.

Ed also made sure to let me know they will be paying to fix Andrew’s iPad. He actually offered to buy a new one, but that’s not necessary as the screen is cracked and can be fixed. We have an amazing place we use so we’ll be sending the bill to Ed and he’ll make sure to get that all sorted out.

The aquarium will also be inviting Andrew’s school to enjoy the facility and get a more personalized tour of the exhibits. Apparently they even have beach-friendly wheelchairs on hand that can go in the water, so students with physical limitations can experience the ocean during their visit. I have a feeling Andrew will want to try one of those out next time. Actually, I’m pretty sure he’ll request to be parked in the same exact spot he was in the other day so he can flap and squeal as the water rushes into the tank. Over, and over, and over again.

Finally, Ed has asked for my assistance in planning a very special autism event at Cabrillo. The details will be announced in the coming weeks, and I’ll be sharing those here and via Facebook and Instagram. Suffice it to say, I believe this event will go a long way in turning this incident with Andrew into an opportunity for the aquarium and our community to cultivate a long-lasting and meaningful relationship that benefits everyone.

Advocacy is hard. It’s often very messy, and almost always comes on the heels of a painful, humiliating experience. Those of us who advocate for our kids know very well the heartache that comes with our loved ones being discriminated against and mistreated. Rarely is an issue responded to quickly, and with a genuine desire to rectify the situation, but Cabrillo has managed to surpass my expectations and I truly believe they are more than sorry. They are committed to getting to know our kids and making sure my son and your sons and daughters feel comfortable and happy and welcome at their aquarium. Just the way they are.

As a result, I’d like to kindly request that if you left a negative review or comment on Cabrillo’s Facebook page or Yelp, you take a few seconds to remove it. I think it’s just as important to respond to their efforts to make things right as it was when things went south. I promise to call on you if I ever need help in the future. You guys mean business!

I’m so pleasantly surprised at the way things have turned out. I was so upset yesterday and most of today, but tonight my faith in humanity has been restored, and that’s thanks to all of you who got involved, and to the folks at Cabrillo who were determined to make things right.

I’m glad I waited to speak with Ed before returning the media inquiries I received. Now instead of doing a pissed off interview, I’ll likely be doing a story with a local news station on the power of community and second chances. With all the bad news in the world, a story with a happy ending is something I can get behind.

Stay tuned for the details of Cabrillo’s special autism event; I can’t wait to share them with you.

And if you ever need someone to speak up for your kid, you know where to find me.

We’re in this together. You guys reminded me of that today.

{ 10 comments }