Suit Claims City Program Excluded Diabetic Girl

A Carson woman filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city Wednesday, alleging that her 10-year-old daughter was discriminated against because she has diabetes.

Patricia Naylor’s lawsuit says her daughter, Ashley, was unable to attend the city-run Hemingway Park Summer Day Camp because she uses a glucose monitor to keep track of her blood sugar level, said Gloria Allred, who represents the family. Children attending the camp cannot bring any medicine or medical equipment, Allred said. The suit seeks to change the camp’s policy and is seeking unspecified monetary damages.

“I found out that I couldn’t go because I have diabetes, and I wouldn’t be able to check my blood sugar,” said Ashley in a statement. “I feel sad and it’s wrong.”

Carson officials said that they were unaware of the girl’s problem until Wednesday. Recreation Services Manager Eric Forsberg said the recreation brochure distributed to residents states that if there is a physical or medical barrier, the department should be contacted and the city will make a reasonable attempt to resolve the problem.

“To my knowledge they did not contact the city about this,” Forsberg said. “A remedy could have been developed and she could have been accommodated.”