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Tokay grad files claim over Grape Bowl accessibility

By Jordan Guinn
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Friday, November 20, 2009 7:40 PM PST

A Tokay High graduate with a degenerative bone disorder has filed a claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act over access at Lodi's Grape Bowl stadium.

Jeremy Hixson, who graduated from Tokay High School in May, filed a claim against city of Lodi employees, the Lodi Unified School District and the Lodi City Council on Friday.

"The adaptations should have been made a while ago," Hixson said. "They should have put the changes in earlier."

The freshman at University of the Pacific suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition that makes bones extremely fragile. He has suffered more than 30 bone fractures in his life and is confined to a wheelchair. He said his experiences with injuries have made him cautious about placing himself in unsafe situations.

His claim said the city of Lodi ignored the ADA mandates and hasn't made reasonable efforts to make the Grape Bowl compliant.

For the full story, please see Saturday's News-Sentinel.

Reader Feedback

citizen wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:52 PM:

" Oh my god this kid makes me sick. People like this kid are ruining this country. O yea hes offended he deserves cash. This is the perfect way to make everyone in Lodi hate him and I hope they let him know!! "

educator wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:07 PM:

" The City should countersue. Why should he get any money? He hasn't been harmed. The City bent over backward for this kid.

Good thing he didn't need a defib at Lodi High. "

Whoa Nellie! wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:16 PM:

" First, who else saw this lawsuit coming in May? My only question is, "What took so long?"

Yeah You- fyi... the Grape Bowl was built way back in the 40's long before anyone had even thought of the ADA. "

veritas wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:02 PM:

" This qualifies as a 5 star frivolous lawsuit. I am sure this is backed up by a "I would cheat my own mother" Lawyer. "

yeah you wrote on Nov 20, 2009 8:18 PM:

" You are right. The City Council should not have built the Grape Bowl without making sure it met ADA requirements. I just hope the artificial turf complies with the ADA. "

lodidian wrote on Nov 20, 2009 8:11 PM:

" Here we go again----another expensive screw up by our city council. They went ahead with the purchase of artifical turf and other expensive upgrades at the grapebowl before satisfying ADA requirements. I'm pretty sure these upgrades were approved on a 3 to 2 vote. Can you guess who the two decenting votes were? "

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