Disabled girl told she couldn't bowl

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - A Hampton family says a Yorktown bowling alley employee discriminated against their 9-year-old daughter, who has a disability.

"This was a big day for her," said Lorie Sibert, the girl's mother.

JoJo's big day was a big surprise. Her mother lured her out of the house so her bedroom could get a princess makeover. Part of the distraction was a party for her at AMF York Lanes bowling alley. Mom knows how much JoJo loves the sport. She has played dozens of times before.

"I like when I get a strike," said JoJo.

But there wasn't much of a chance for that at her party. An employee at the bowling alley interrupted her second turn.

"She went up to bowl again and the lady kind of just called her out in front of everybody and said she couldn't bowl because she was handicapped," said Sibert.

The employee said JoJo could not wear bowling shoes, so therefore she was not permitted to bowl.

It seems like a minor setback for a little girl who has overcome so much. JoJo was born with spina bifida, then diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. She fought it into remission and now has an unknown medical condition that causes repeat fractures. It's why she needs the boot she wears to help her stand up. Getting called out in front of the whole bowling alley was embarrassing.

"I was feeling sad because they should let handicapped kids do it and not tell them they cant do it," said JoJo.

As Jo Jo cried, Mom worked to find a solution. The bowling alley employee offered to give Jo Jo a wheelchair so she could bowl with a ramp instead. The thing is JoJo doesn't need a wheelchair.

"Exactly. She walks," said Sibert. "So now, not only are you discriminating, but you're discriminating against certain disabilities.

The AMF web site lists saftey rules . Among them, it states " Ball and Shoes. Wear bowling shoes while bowling.  Have the correct fit for the bowling ball and shoes.  See a staff member for help selecting or changing a ball or shoes.  Clean the soles of shoes before bowling, after going to the rest room or anywhere else in or outside of the center.  Moisture, humidity or a slippery or sticky substance on the sole of a shoe can cause a fall and serious injury."

The web site also includes a l i st of house rules , including one that reads "AMF will strive to serve customers in a friendly and courteous manner. No person will be denied service on the basis of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical disability or age."

AMF's district manager did not return 10 On Your Side's phone call, but did call JoJo's mother. She says it's too little, too late. She says there is nothing the bowling alley can do to make it right.

"Absolutely not, because of what it made her feel like," said Sibert.

Sibert is considering taking legal action in this case. She says she is standing up for others with disabilities who suffer the same challenges.

JoJo has a  Facebook page  and a  Web site  where the public can follow her journey.

WAVY.com has received the following statement from AMF's Vice President of Marketing, Merrell Wreden: 

"Concerning the incident at York Lanes last Saturday, we sincerely apologize to Jojo and her entire family for the hurt and disappointment that our actions caused her.  The assistant manager at the bowling center was following the general rules that AMF has in place for our customers’ safety.  Having said that, we should have been more sensitive and accommodating.  In fact, we will use this unfortunate incident as a catalyst for further educating and training our center managers on how to implement best ADA practices while also ensuring that are customers are safe.  We have clear policies in place to prevent discriminatory practices in our bowling centers, and we embrace these policies in both letter and in spirit.  While we realize we cannot fully make it up to JoJo, we would like her and her family to know that we take their complaints seriously and will do our utmost to see that something like this never happens again."