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Tokay High Grape Bowl graduation not certain
If Lodi Unified can’t reach an agreement with a Tokay High School student, the annual tradition of having graduation at the Grape Bowl could end.
Senior Jeremy Hixon has asked the district to install a walkway so that he can push his own wheelchair at the graduation ceremony.
Hixon has threatened to file a lawsuit against the district if it does not provide an accessible pathway to get to the center of the field. While his only request is a walkway, if he files a suit, it will include the other parts of the Grape Bowl, like the restrooms, that do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If the district cannot make accommodations that meet the needs of Hixon, the city might not allow the Tokay graduation to happen at the Grape Bowl, said city spokesman Jeff Hood. “We’ll do everything to not get sued, and that may mean locking the gates,” Hood said.
Hixon said in an interview earlier this week that the school district’s offer to mow the grass, fill-in any holes and not water for a few days before the May 29 graduation is not acceptable.
Hixon has osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease that makes his bones brittle, and had surgery on his spine Wednesday. He is worried he will be in a weakened state for graduation, which he said will add to the difficulty of pushing his wheelchair across an uneven field.
On Wednesday, the Lodi City Council approved spending another $150,000 to make the stadium ADA compliant, which have a total cost of $816,000. The work includes new restrooms, ramps, access and access seating.
Parks and Recreation Interim Director Jim Rodems said the city is willing to work with the district on a plan to make the field accessible.
Hixon had suggested using a Mobi-Mat as a walkway because it lies flat on the ground and would not be a tripping hazard, which was one of the concerns of the district.
For a 55-feet wide mat that is 82-feet long, it would be about $4,000, said Cathy Tawer of Hillview Farms in Minnesota. Hillview sells the mats for graduations, weddings and other outdoor activities to create smooth surfaces.
LUSD Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Planning Art Hand and Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog City Buzz.
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Kryztak wrote on Apr 25, 2009 9:37 PM:
Kryztak wrote on Apr 25, 2009 9:33 PM:
OkieDokie wrote on Apr 23, 2009 10:23 PM:
ktbubbles wrote on Apr 22, 2009 12:19 PM:
Good Luck Jeremy way to stand up for your rights and the rights of others.
God Bless & Good luck "
ktbubbles wrote on Apr 22, 2009 12:09 PM:
This young man has over come so many obstcales. What have any of you done!! And speaking to the person who said how the LUSD has accomedated him. Dont you all think that we the ones who made this law should fight not only for Jeremy but the thousands of kids to follow him, and speacking of his surgery sometimes you dont have a choice when the surgery is I have first hand experience with this as my own son has surgery on June 3rd we were lucky because they wanted to do the surgery in May & he would have missed one of the biggest events in his life. We were blessed able to get a differnt date so he will be able to particpate.
So to all you out there saying these terriable things about him SHAME ON YOU
You have know idea what these young people have been through! "
Lodian wrote on Apr 21, 2009 10:24 AM:
Gator wrote on Apr 19, 2009 3:01 PM:
Wishes and just not making a mountain out of a mole hill this is it…. "
sam wrote on Apr 19, 2009 1:15 PM:
http://www.thechallenger4x4.com/ "
Gator wrote on Apr 19, 2009 7:38 AM:
includes quick release rear axles and fixed front axles…24 standard colors and 6 custom
Colors… In the colours Tremor all terrain wheel chair not only can you push yourself easily
Down to the ocean, lake or river but you will be able to move independently freely through
Any type of sand, mud, snow or off road surface…I’m sure some dealer just might donate
the use of the chair for graduation, the publicity would be invaluable. Or the young man
Could buy it it’s cheaper than legal action and cheaper than the mat…if this is long term
He would never be restricted Just to cement!! "
Gator wrote on Apr 19, 2009 7:08 AM:
citizen wrote on Apr 18, 2009 10:11 AM:
lodisafeway wrote on Apr 18, 2009 6:25 AM:
Which is more significant, kits419, the consulting with an attorney or the threat of a suit? I submit they're synonymous.
As for your point no. 7 - rather than separate from the rest of his class, I suggest that his classmate friends (or family) assist him over the field in either his electric chair or a manual one. He'll be able to enjoy the processional with everyone else; he won't be sitting by himself waiting for the balance of his class to make their way to their seats; and the City avoids a lawsuit and the purchase of a $4,000.00 mat that would be used but once.
The rest of your post appears to be an attempt to engender sympathy for this young man; and is that what he wants, for Lodi to feel sorry for him? I hope that's not the case. "
kits419 wrote on Apr 18, 2009 5:14 AM:
2.Jeremy choose to have surgery after prom and before graduation, to not miss either or 1/2 his summer before starting AT UOP this fall!!
3.An extra set of books for home is the only accommodation asked for in 10 years!
4.Homecoming? RU Kidding? He doesn't attend homecoming...never has..he can't..its not accessible!
5.He 1st mentioned it to the school in August then 2 more times. Got NOTHING besides extra dirt to fill the holes 2 days before graduation or to get dropped off at his seat in the middle of the field. The City hasn't offered ANY accommodations!
6.They forgot to mention he might have trouble even getting into the park and there is no safe exit way, or even an available restroom. RU serious??
7.He could, separate from the rest of his class, sit in the middle field, by himself, while the other students gather in the parking lot & walk onto the field together and then AGAIN as they all excitedly exit together. That is NOT really participating is it?! "
citizen wrote on Apr 17, 2009 10:20 PM:
lodisafeway wrote on Apr 17, 2009 8:59 PM:
All of these kids deserve to receive their diplomas in the Grape Bowl; graduating in that venue is a long-held tradition. Do most of us sympathize with his plight? Absolutely. But this has gotten way out of control. The solution is simple.
Where Mr. Hixon has blown it is his threat (again unverified from what I can tell) that he would file a complaint regarding all non-ADA compliant areas of the stadium; not just where he wants to travel. "
dogs4you wrote on Apr 17, 2009 7:15 PM:
throwitdown23 wrote on Apr 17, 2009 3:39 PM:
blossom wrote on Apr 17, 2009 3:23 PM:
Granted I don't know hi health history but, I have never seen a student jump up from their graduation ceremony to use the restroom.
This is a fate worse than death for a teenager!
They always tell the students when they are lining up "USE THE RESTROOM". "
Neo wrote on Apr 17, 2009 3:04 PM:
collegegirl wrote on Apr 17, 2009 2:40 PM:
Contrapasso wrote on Apr 17, 2009 2:21 PM:
sam wrote on Apr 17, 2009 2:13 PM:
Imagine the free publicity. "
blossom wrote on Apr 17, 2009 1:58 PM:
They make such a HUGE mess of everything someone just make a decision!
That is why you are making the "big bucks" isn't it? "
warrenb1973 wrote on Apr 17, 2009 1:35 PM:
blossom wrote on Apr 17, 2009 12:40 PM:
I am fortunate to have 3 grown healthy children.
I see the kids do P.E. in their wheelchairs.
I thought of the times I complained, that MY kids had ruined ,Levis or a pair of expensive shoes.
Let me tell you THAT WAS AN EYEOPENER for me.
I told myself"what nerve I have complaining that they ruined clothes, do I have any idea what the parents of these children would give IF they're child could just trash a new pair of pants or shoes?
I NEVER COMPLAINED AGAIN! I said "Thanks God they CAN ruin them"!
I feel thins young man deserves to be accomodated and Get the diploma he EARNED with tougher circumstances than most. "
Contrapasso wrote on Apr 17, 2009 12:21 PM:
Oh Bull wrote on Apr 17, 2009 11:22 AM:
Neo wrote on Apr 17, 2009 11:15 AM:
sam wrote on Apr 17, 2009 10:57 AM:
Maggiecreamer wrote on Apr 17, 2009 10:48 AM:
Feel free to go take a look.
Thanks,
Maggie "
barelykim wrote on Apr 17, 2009 10:36 AM:
Observer wrote on Apr 17, 2009 10:24 AM:
blossom wrote on Apr 17, 2009 9:51 AM:
That would probably be easier for this young man also.
They have to have one with fairly large wheels and a little power.
That would be the easiest solution and also would not disrupt Graduation for all the rest of the students~ "
sam wrote on Apr 17, 2009 9:20 AM:
I find Hixon to be a bit selfish not wanting to work with the city. He certainly does not seem to care about ruining the graduation of his classmates.
Heck, let him ride in a chauffeured golf cart. "
MomofTwo wrote on Apr 17, 2009 9:13 AM:
LUSD and the City are currently working at a renovation of the Grape bowl but opted out of starting construction before the Graduation Ceremonies so the place would not be in such disarray.
lodisafeway: I have to agree with you, "He seems to want it to go forward on his own terms, or not at all. " "
gray cloud wrote on Apr 17, 2009 9:00 AM:
--Asst Chief Gray Cloud "
lodisafeway wrote on Apr 17, 2009 8:44 AM:
It seems to me that this student wants to be able to push his own wheelchair; not to be assisted by anyone in getting to the center of the field. But it also states that as a result of his recent surgery, this is the reason why he might have trouble. Had he not just had surgery would he have been able to propel himself on his own? Was this a foreseeable problem? When was the threat of a suit received by the City?
I don't know the answers to these questions, but it seems to me that the entire Tokay graduating class of 2009 should not be expected to suffer because of one student's desires. I'm not being cold here; but if Hixon was completely unable to reach the goal, I could see the problem. But it isn't as if he is going to be prohibited from participating in the commencement exercises. He seems to want it to go forward on his own terms, or not at all. "
rockyk70 wrote on Apr 17, 2009 8:12 AM:
Jenn H wrote on Apr 17, 2009 7:42 AM:
gray cloud wrote on Apr 17, 2009 7:29 AM:
mk2roccoboy wrote on Apr 17, 2009 7:23 AM:
RUFKM wrote on Apr 17, 2009 7:17 AM:
Couldn't he use those restrooms, thats where kids usually hang out before they take their seats.
They do need to provide a mat, that is not unreasonable. THey should have had the fieldturf already installed and this would of never been an issue. "
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