Complaint Review: Brookfield Zoo

On October 11^th, 2015 my family came to Brookfield Zoo to attend the ComEd Employee Appreciate Day.  My sister is a disabled veteran who is 70% disabled an unable to walk long distances.  Not only did my sister sacrifice for our country serving in the military she has spent her life believing in the mission so much so that she work for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a chief.  We brought her own scooter however, it was not working when we pulled it out of the van and assumed it wouldn’t be a problem to rent one for the day as that is one of the accommodations that the zoo has available.  Upon entering the park we immediately stopped at the rental station to rent either a scooter or wheelchair for my disabled sister.  The workers behind the counter told us all of the scooters and wheelchairs were on hold and they would not rent one to us.  They didn’t offer any solutions.  We offered to use one of the 10 that were still sitting back there until it was needed.  Offered for them to call our cell phone and we would return it immediately had it been needed, they said no.  We asked if they could take our number and call if one became available, they still said no.  It was clear that they thought that the situation was funny as they giggled which didn’t sit well with us at all.  We asked to speak to their supervisor.  Jesse B., the supervisor decided it wasn’t in his interest to try to help us either.  Instead he decided to call someone to let them know we were being irate and irrational.   Jesse decided it was best to involve security in the matter.  When security arrived (C. Siegle, car # 184) he went on about how we shouldn’t expect special treatment as his brother was born with cerebral palsy and he has no sympathy for our situation.  We were not asking for sympathy, we were asking to be treated as human beings and to be provided an accommodation that the park clearly states that it provides. My sister showed her disabled veteran card and no one cared.  They claimed that the park has a policy that states if those scooters/wheelchairs are on hold, they are not allowed to let someone else use them.  It is now 2PM and there is 4 hours remaining that the park was to be open and 10 + scooters sitting back there not being used.  Where is the humanity to help a person in need?  This is a disgusting policy to have in place.  To allow a human being to suffer while the accommodation needed is sitting unused under a sheet.  How do you allow people to be treated this way?

 In the future, I truly hope you take a good look at the current “policy” and update to allow these devices to be used for those in need.  If they are on “hold” maybe the person in need can use it until the other person arrives at the park and have them leave a cell phone number where they can be reached.

 No one should be treated the way we were treated while visiting the zoo for a “fun family” day.  Instead her two daughters were able to see firsthand how cruel Brookfield Zoo is towards their guests and sadly towards their disabled mother.