Diabetic Teen Kicked Out of New Jersey Drive-In Movie

Teen brings candy for blood sugar, violated 'no outside food' policy

ByABC News
August 17, 2014, 7:15 PM
Cars are parked at a drive-in movie in this undated file photo.
Cars are parked at a drive-in movie in this undated file photo.
Getty Images

— -- A diabetic teenager was kicked out of a drive-in movie theater because he brought in some candy, violating the theater's policy against outside food.

"Have someone tell me no, because of a really dumb reason. It's just really humiliating," 16-year-old Ben Weidner told ABC News.

Weidner has Type 1 diabetes and says he always carries around a backpack containing insulin, an EpiPen, a juice box and candy. The candy is for when his blood sugar suddenly drops.

But when Weidner tried to go to the Delsea Drive-In in Vineland, N.J., he was not allowed inside because outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Dr. John Deleonardis, the owner of the drive-in movie theater, and a pediatrician, says that his concession stand has several diabetic-friendly foods available.

"My time shouldn't be occupied at the box office, trying to explain to people that we have a website. It tells you about this," Deleonardis told ABC News. "If you don't want to go to that, don't come."

Weidner said he thinks the theater should consider diabetics when enforcing their "no outside food or drink policy," but Deleonardis says the medical condition should not be an exception to the rule.

"Sorry your kid has an affliction but what can I tell you?" Deleonardis told ABC station WPVI-TV in Philadelphia.

But Weidner's father, Phil Weidner, says, "It's just ignorant and unacceptable. Just because he feels people are going to take advantage of him by bringing food in."

Deleonardis told WPVI that he has no plans to change his policy.