A mother says her son, Ethan Hughes who is a sophomore at Fountain-Fort Carson High School, was discriminated against.
Ethan Hughes grew up with a love for sports.
“He’s played baseball since he was five,” said Heather Hughes.
Ethan was involved in a serious accident at an early age.
“He’s very lucky to be here. About a quarter of his brain was damaged and removed and because of that, he’s partially paralyzed on the right side,” said Hughes.
Hughes says following the accident, Ethan never tried to stop playing sports until he was allegedly told he couldn’t try out for his favorite sport, baseball.
“I asked him if he was going to try out for baseball this year and he said ‘No, coach won’t let me’,” said Hughes.
Hughes says Ethan was very involved at school, he was on the varsity tennis team and cleared by his doctor to play a few sports, including baseball.
“His neuro psychologist wrote in his reports that he needs to be involved in sports, its his outlet, his release,” said Hughes.
Hughes says the coach told her Ethan’s skills didn’t meet the team, so he couldn’t try out. The alleged discrimination happened on March 20, and the complaint was filed on Oct. 7.
Hughes filed the complaint with the Office for Civil Rights, alleging that Fountain-Fort Carson High School District 8 discriminated her son on the basis of disability.
It is still being investigated in consistent with the districts complaint procedures.
“Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 takes all complaints seriously. The district follows a formal process to investigate complaints from parents and respond within the allotted timeframe. District 8 is committed to ensuring all students are treated fairly and equitably,” said a district official.
According to the complaint, it is also being investigated if the district responded appropriately to the complaint of discrimination.
Since the allegation is still under investigation, no determination has been made. The district has until Monday to respond to the allegation.
