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can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
I don't have access to news12.com
I believe this is the link
thanks
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Posted 12/6/13 6:36 PM  |
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BabySurprise
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Member since 9/13 556 total posts
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can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
News
St. James mom: Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo with disabled kids
Published: December 5, 2013 6:10 PM
ST. JAMES - A St. James mother says she and her severely disabled children encountered a scrooge-like Santa at a local mall.
Lori Burke visited the Smith Haven Mall on Tuesday with her wheelchair-bound children and attempted to take a picture with Santa. Burke says she noticed the Santa booth was empty, and saw a sign indicating not to take pictures without buying a package. However, she asked Santa anyway.
"He got up, walked in between the kids and over to the cash register area and said you can take a picture of the scene," says Burke.
Burke says the Santa did finally sit for a snapshot with her kids, but she posted her experience on the Smith Haven Mall’s Facebook page. The mall allegedly deleted her post and put her in touch with the Colorado company that coordinates Santa's schedule.
The company told Burke it has a very soft policy that allows people to take pictures on their own.
"We were told when they were born that they wouldn't live past two," Burke says about her children. "Every day is a gift and that's how we treat it. And that's how Santa should treat it, too."
A spokeswoman from the Colorado company told News 12 that the Burke family has been invited back to take real pictures with Santa.
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| Posted 12/6/13 6:39 PM |
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Wow, I have mixed reactions about this.
On one hand, I think he's wrong, but if I am understanding this correctly, she wanted to take her own pics with him on her phone.
In the end, the mall Santa is still a business.
Imagine if everyone wanted to take pics this way?
I am sure it happens quite a lot in the age of smart phones.
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| Posted 12/6/13 6:44 PM |
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Goobster
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
deleted with new info
Message edited 12/6/2013 6:57:29 PM.
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| Posted 12/6/13 6:50 PM |
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can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
thanks, babysurprise.
It's not like I had initially thought.
I did hear that she couldn't purchase a package because the way the camera is set up, it wouldn't have fitted the girls in the photo (something about the angles? or maybe the height?) - so, because a paid package would have gone to waste - she just asked to take an iphone pic. Not sure how true that is.
Message edited 12/6/2013 6:54:30 PM.
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| Posted 12/6/13 6:53 PM |
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Goobster
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
thanks, babysurprise.
It's not like I had initially thought.
I did hear that she couldn't purchase a package because the way the camera is set up, it wouldn't have fitted the girls in the photo (something about the angles? or maybe the height?) - so, because a paid package would have gone to waste - she just asked to take an iphone pic. Not sure how true that is.
In that case, then yes, they would be scrooges and cruel to not like the free phone pic slide.
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| Posted 12/6/13 6:56 PM |
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
thanks, babysurprise.
It's not like I had initially thought.
I did hear that she couldn't purchase a package because the way the camera is set up, it wouldn't have fitted the girls in the photo (something about the angles? or maybe the height?) - so, because a paid package would have gone to waste - she just asked to take an iphone pic. Not sure how true that is.
If this is true, then they should've let it slide.
But again, from the video it's hard to tell the details. You could take away from it even that she saw there was no one there/no smart phone pics so she decided to ask anyway.
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| Posted 12/6/13 7:02 PM |
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lynnd126
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Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
I'm sorry, she thinks her Santa pics should be free because her kids were born disabled? Ridiculous. Hey if Santa wants to do it for free, that's his business. To EXPECT it is entitled. Was her lunch in the food court free that day? Her shopping? It just doesn't even make sense to me.
eta If they didn't fit right bc of the wheelchairs, then yes, crappy to not just let her take a picture. That has to do with customer service though, not the disability per se.
Message edited 12/6/2013 8:49:44 PM.
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| Posted 12/6/13 8:47 PM |
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MrsT809
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can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
There was an article earlier on newsday.com but I'm wondering if they took it down because now I can't find it. After reading both, I'm still totally confused about what happened. Everything seems conflicting to me. The booth was empty but she asked Santa for a pic and he basically ran away not wanting to be near her kids. But he eventually did sit with them. There was something about how there are two santas and the company said the other one is fine with special needs people. Huh? I really don't know what to think.
Also, don't you pay for the package at the end? So what keeps people from taking their own pics and then just not buying a package?
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| Posted 12/6/13 9:04 PM |
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2girlsforme
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
I'm a member of a Smithtown Moms group that this woman is also a member of. According to her, the camera angle wouldn't have fit both kids into its frame. She offered to pay for an iphone photo for this reason, but was refused. She claims that this was the essential piece that was missing from the story. This group encouraged her to go to News 12.
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| Posted 12/6/13 9:05 PM |
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Sparrow
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by 2girlsforme
I'm a member of a Smithtown Moms group that this woman is also a member of. According to her, the camera angle wouldn't have fit both kids into its frame. She offered to pay for an iphone photo for this reason, but was refused. She claims that this was the essential piece that was missing from the story. This group encouraged her to go to News 12.
If this is true then I see her side, otherwise it sounds like she's 100% wrong. I don't know why they would leave this very important fact out of the story. The way it is now it sounds like she was just looking to get out of paying like everyone else.
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| Posted 12/6/13 9:27 PM |
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2girlsforme
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by 2girlsforme
I'm a member of a Smithtown Moms group that this woman is also a member of. According to her, the camera angle wouldn't have fit both kids into its frame. She offered to pay for an iphone photo for this reason, but was refused. She claims that this was the essential piece that was missing from the story. This group encouraged her to go to News 12.
If this is true then I see her side, otherwise it sounds like she's 100% wrong. I don't know why they would leave this very important fact out of the story. The way it is now it sounds like she was just looking to get out of paying like everyone else.
According to her, she didn't leave this fact out, News 12 did. I tend to believe this, because her post mentioned her offer to pay in the original group post. As I said, the group's administrator encouraged her to seek media attention, it didn't seem to occur to her.
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| Posted 12/6/13 9:33 PM |
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MsSissy
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
After watching the video, I'm very confused why she would post anything since Santa did eventually sit for a picture.
And for free I believe.
All the stories I read I didn't see that till now.
Whatever. I'm done trying figure this story out
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| Posted 12/6/13 9:46 PM |
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StarsStripes
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can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
I don't really understand why this is on the news....she got what she wanted in the end. It isn't like Santa was like "NO! I will not pose with these disabled children!" The title of the article is so misleading! He was following policy, she should have bought a package and then she could take her own pictures anyway-it clearly says on the signs at the mall you can do this. I know that she didn't call news 12 but why would anybody...it is just so odd to me.
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| Posted 12/6/13 10:00 PM |
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Goobster
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by 2girlsforme
I'm a member of a Smithtown Moms group that this woman is also a member of. According to her, the camera angle wouldn't have fit both kids into its frame. She offered to pay for an iphone photo for this reason, but was refused. She claims that this was the essential piece that was missing from the story. This group encouraged her to go to News 12.
If this is true then I see her side, otherwise it sounds like she's 100% wrong. I don't know why they would leave this very important fact out of the story. The way it is now it sounds like she was just looking to get out of paying like everyone else.
Half of the news articles I read leave out important facts that without them severely alter a story. So not surprising to me that the article might leave this out.
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| Posted 12/6/13 10:01 PM |
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Mrs213
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by MsSissy
After watching the video, I'm very confused why she would post anything since Santa did eventually sit for a picture.
And for free I believe.
All the stories I read I didn't see that till now.
Whatever. I'm done trying figure this story out
This was what I was thinking too. She asked him to take a pic, he initially refused but then agreed. What's news about this?
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| Posted 12/6/13 11:26 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
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Karen
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can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Plain and simple this is being totally blown out of proportion. If she wanted to use her own camera then she should have let them take whatever pictures they wanted, bought the cheapest package and then clicked away with her own camera. This is a business and did not need to give her anything for free. This has nothing to do with the children being disabled but to do with the mother not wanting to initially pay for the photos.
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| Posted 12/6/13 11:50 PM |
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
I think maybe their company's register and computer system only allow them to charge for packages. They probably had no idea how to charge just a bit for iphone photos.
It is true that other Facebook members told her to seek media attention.
At first I thought this was someone who may have wanted something for free wherever she goes, but it does seem obvious why those wheelchairs would not fit in a picture. Plus I am sure that there are a lot of non-covered expenses for the care of her kids, so laying out money for a package she can't use isn't totally fair.
The mom has been invited to take the kids back to the mall to get real pictures with Santa & that does seem to be a fair resolution.
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| Posted 12/7/13 2:54 AM |
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StarsStripes
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
I think maybe their company's register and computer system only allow them to charge for packages. They probably had no idea how to charge just a bit for iphone photos.
It is true that other Facebook members told her to seek media attention.
At first I thought this was someone who may have wanted something for free wherever she goes, but it does seem obvious why those wheelchairs would not fit in a picture. Plus I am sure that there are a lot of non-covered expenses for the care of her kids, so laying out money for a package she can't use isn't totally fair.
The mom has been invited to take the kids back to the mall to get real pictures with Santa & that does seem to be a fair resolution.
I am glad she was invited back...anybody who has met this Santa knows he is a sweetheart.
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| Posted 12/7/13 8:37 AM |
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sameinitials
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Plus I am sure that there are a lot of non-covered expenses for the care of her kids, so laying out money for a package she can't use isn't totally fair.
But can't anyone on a budget say that? What if all someone wants is one iphone picture because they just want the digital image etc?
I think certainly they should have made some sort of accommodation in terms of getting the kids into the shot, but that doesn't mean that she should have to pay... as someone else said, at the end of the day, it is a business.
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| Posted 12/7/13 8:40 AM |
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meloyellow
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
when I first read the article there was no mention of camera angles or not being able to get both girls in the picture. If she expected to get a freebie simply because her girls were disabled and made a stink about it that is wrong. If it was that they couldn't accomodate her then yes they could have made an exception, but let's be honest here...these people working the booths including santa don't run the business. they have rules they are given and they just follow them in order to keep their jobs. So either way, I don't think santa is to blame and I hate that they wrote the article out in a way to suggest otherwise. That santa seems to have an amazing reputation and alot of people have come to his defense.
ETA: there are plenty of other places to get a free pic with santa
Message edited 12/7/2013 9:13:01 AM.
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| Posted 12/7/13 9:10 AM |
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MrsT809
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Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by meloyellow
when I first read the article there was no mention of camera angles or not being able to get both girls in the picture. If she expected to get a freebie simply because her girls were disabled and made a stink about it that is wrong. If it was that they couldn't accomodate her then yes they could have made an exception, but let's be honest here...these people working the booths including santa don't run the business. they have rules they are given and they just follow them in order to keep their jobs. So either way, I don't think santa is to blame and I hate that they wrote the article out in a way to suggest otherwise. That santa seems to have an amazing reputation and alot of people have come to his defense.
ETA: there are plenty of other places to get a free pic with santa
Yeah, from what I remember they are basically a bunch of kids working the booth. Not the types to make quick adjustments to accommodate a different situation. I'm sure there are much better places to go where you can get a free pictures and have them take the time to modify whatever they need to. However, it seems like she was trying to take advantage (and I DON"T mean that in a bad way) of the fact that her children were having a good day and they were able to get out and about and made spontaneous decision to try for a picture. It's definitely unfortunate that it didn't work out the way I'm sure she hoped and I feel bad that she's probably sorry she bothered and sorry she got talked into talking to the news about it.
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| Posted 12/7/13 9:27 AM |
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by MrsT809
Posted by meloyellow
when I first read the article there was no mention of camera angles or not being able to get both girls in the picture. If she expected to get a freebie simply because her girls were disabled and made a stink about it that is wrong. If it was that they couldn't accomodate her then yes they could have made an exception, but let's be honest here...these people working the booths including santa don't run the business. they have rules they are given and they just follow them in order to keep their jobs. So either way, I don't think santa is to blame and I hate that they wrote the article out in a way to suggest otherwise. That santa seems to have an amazing reputation and alot of people have come to his defense.
ETA: there are plenty of other places to get a free pic with santa
Yeah, from what I remember they are basically a bunch of kids working the booth. Not the types to make quick adjustments to accommodate a different situation. I'm sure there are much better places to go where you can get a free pictures and have them take the time to modify whatever they need to. However, it seems like she was trying to take advantage (and I DON"T mean that in a bad way) of the fact that her children were having a good day and they were able to get out and about and made spontaneous decision to try for a picture. It's definitely unfortunate that it didn't work out the way I'm sure she hoped and I feel bad that she's probably sorry she bothered and sorry she got talked into talking to the news about it.
This. The more that I read, I agree with MrsT.
The media situation is definitely not helping the situation either IMO.
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| Posted 12/7/13 9:31 AM |
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2girlsforme
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Re: can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
Posted by MrsT809
Posted by meloyellow
when I first read the article there was no mention of camera angles or not being able to get both girls in the picture. If she expected to get a freebie simply because her girls were disabled and made a stink about it that is wrong. If it was that they couldn't accomodate her then yes they could have made an exception, but let's be honest here...these people working the booths including santa don't run the business. they have rules they are given and they just follow them in order to keep their jobs. So either way, I don't think santa is to blame and I hate that they wrote the article out in a way to suggest otherwise. That santa seems to have an amazing reputation and alot of people have come to his defense.
ETA: there are plenty of other places to get a free pic with santa
Yeah, from what I remember they are basically a bunch of kids working the booth. Not the types to make quick adjustments to accommodate a different situation. I'm sure there are much better places to go where you can get a free pictures and have them take the time to modify whatever they need to. However, it seems like she was trying to take advantage (and I DON"T mean that in a bad way) of the fact that her children were having a good day and they were able to get out and about and made spontaneous decision to try for a picture. It's definitely unfortunate that it didn't work out the way I'm sure she hoped and I feel bad that she's probably sorry she bothered and sorry she got talked into talking to the news about it.
This. The more that I read, I agree with MrsT.
The media situation is definitely not helping the situation either IMO.
I agree as well. As a member of the FB group, my general impression is that this woman was just venting and, based on the "outrage" of the group, it became something else.
This poor woman has a hard enough life, to see her raked over the coals and vilified is just too much.
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| Posted 12/7/13 11:05 AM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
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Karen
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can someone post for me this article? Smith Haven Mall Santa said no to photo w/disabled kids
I do feel for the mother as I have a special needs child myself but venting is one thing and then taking it to the point of going to the news was another. She also posted all over the Mall's facebook page. She, whether or not it was her idea or her group facebook's page idea, ended up trying to villianize that poor Santa who was just doing his job and has always been more than patient and kind to my child and all my friends special needs children as well.
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| Posted 12/7/13 12:53 PM |
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