CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Dunnings said their son was dismissed from Calvary in 2015 after having three episodes in school thought to be seizures.
Story by Ty Chandler, NBC CharlotteCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Dunnings said their son was dismissed from Calvary in 2015 after having three episodes in school thought to be seizures.It turns out his condition was less serious: abdominal migraines. This is a condition common in children that is like a migraine headache for your stomach. The Dunnings thought this was good news, but they say instead they received a call from Director Pat Collins that their son's health issues were too much for the school to handle."What they did to my child sent the message that 'there is something wrong with you, you are not good enough to go to school,'" she said. "The phone call really made me question their values, their morals and the way they treat children," Lucy Dunning explained.The Borjas family found themselves in a similar situation with their son Francisco."It was a kick in the gut, I would say. Horrible, horrible-- I was in shock," said Amaya Borjas.The Borjases say their son began attending Calvary at the age of 2. They loved the school and so did Francisco. However, they say when their son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 4, they were told he had to go."I'm like, 'oh my God, can we work this out,'" said Luis Borjas. "I'm not asking for special accommodations."Borjas said they were told the teachers would not be able to check their son's blood sugar. They offered to come in and do it themselves over lunch. Luis took it a step further, saying he would make a donation to the school so they could hire a nurse."I'll do it for my kid," he said. "I don't want to take my kid out of school, so I'll pay for the nurse, and she says, 'no, no, no you cannot do that,," he said.The Dunnings and Borjases met each other by chance after trying to find alternate school options for their children. After hearing each other's stories, they sought legal counsel. Their attorney, Josh Van Kampen, calls what Calvary Church did discrimination and a violation of North Carolina's Persons with Disabilities Act."We are puzzled by the fact that there weren't a lot of accommodations my clients were asking for to attend, and despite its vast resources, the church didn't provide those accommodations-- it's shocking," he said.Both boys are doing well health-wise, and have adapted to their new schools. However, the Dunnings and Borjas say they hope taking legal action will prevent the church from discriminating from other families for health reasons.Calvary's attorney, Mel Garofalo, says they are aware a lawsuit has been filed. However, he says they have not seen the complaint so they are not in a position to comment on the suit or its allegations.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – One of Charlotte’s largest churches now sees itself facing legal troubles. Two more families are joining a lawsuit against Calvary Church in south Charlotte, claiming the church discriminated against their children by illegally expelling them from school over health issues. “In the beginning, he would cry every morning on his way to his new school,” said Lid Brundage. She was shocked last fall when her four-year-old son Carter was allegedly kicked out of the Calvary Church Child Development Center.
Read MoreCHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A month after the first lawsuit, more parents are coming forward saying their child was kicked out or not allowed to attend Calvary Child Development Center because of disabilities. The parents of six more children say their children were either denied acceptance or kicked out of the preschool at Calvary Church because of their disabilities. Since the lawsuit was originally filed, the preschool has made a change to a form given to parents.
Read MoreWatch the Calgary Church Lawsuit Story on WSOC-TV. Please contact Van Kampen Law if you have any information.
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