A two-year-old Georgia girl was told to take off her orthopedic shoes that were reportedly annoying other patrons in a Savannah, Ga. Panera Bread Today.com reported Tuesday.
Catherine Duke took her daughters' Ana, 3, and Emma 2 to the Panera Bread on Abercorn Street, and was told by an employee while getting a coffee refill to take Emma's shoes off because there noise was disturbing other customers Today.com reported.
Emma has several growth disorders, and spine malformations Today.com reported.
"I explained that she had a disability and could not remove her shoes, and there were no other shoes she could wear because they were prescribed by her doctor," Duke told TODAY.com. "And I told her that I would be leaving if my child wasn't welcome in her shoes. And she said. oh we don't want to lose your business, but I left the restaurant crying."
Catherine wanted to raise awareness about discrimination against Emma and other children with limits Today.com reported.
"I've had a lot of people supportive and thankful that I said something," Catherine told Today.com "I just wanted to make people aware that children with disabilities are discriminated against," Catherine told Today.com. "It's wrong. A lot of people don't say something, but I wanted to. I don't want them to ever be taken advantage (of) or mistreated," Catherine told Today.com. "The management has assured me she'll be able to wear her shoes there. As far as me going back in there, I guess only time will tell if she'll be accepted there or not."
Panera Bread allows all walks of life into its locations according to a statement it released.
"As you would expect, Panera Bread does not tolerate discrimination of any kind," Panera Bread said in a statement. "The last thing we would want to do is make anyone feel unwelcome," Panera Bread said in a statement. "Consistent with this system-wide policy, our franchisee met personally with Ms. Duke today to directly hear and address the concerns she has raised," the company said in the statement. "We understand from our franchisee that Ms. Duke has been assured that she and her family are always welcome at Panera and her concerns have been addressed," the company said in the statement.
