Girl Turned Away from Disney Store Due to Disability Undergoes Surgery

While masks are still present in our COVID-19 new world of normal, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort no longer require face coverings on their property locations. Before the mask policy was also dropped from Disney Stores, a young girl with a special disability was turned away from a Staten Island Disney Store. Now, she’s received the gift of surgery.

Back in March 2021, Disney’s face covering policy in its Parks and Disney Stores did not allow Guests to enter with masks known as neck gaiters as ear loops were required. For a young 8-year-old girl named Alexis LaGrega, a neck gaiter was her only option.

According to reports, Alexis’ condition is called Microtia. Mother Holly LaGrega describes her daughter’s condition:

“She was born with a condition called Microtia; her right ear is small and misshapen and she is partially deaf in that ear. She said when she has attempted to wear a face covering with ear loops, it often slides down her face and is painful. She wears a Neck Gaiter to school, to dance class and cheerleading without any objections from anyone.

Upon attempting to enter a Staten Island Mall Disney Store, Alexis was denied access due to Disney’s former face-covering policy at the time of the visit. Alexis was unable to comply due to her Microtia. The news went viral and now, over a year later, an update has been provided with exciting news for Alexis.

The story of the now 9-year-old New York child being denied entrance to the Disney Store reached a Beverly Hills doctor and the Small Wonders Foundation.

According to an updated news report, “The Small Wonders Foundation, which helps children born with facial differences get reconstructive surgery, heard about LaGrega’s story and reached out to the family offering information about different options available for her, financial support, and encouragement.”

Now, Alexis has a new ear thanks to a Beverly Hills pediatric plastic surgeon named Dr. John Reinisch. Alexis saw her new ear for the first time in early July 2022 and is quoted saying, “It was weird, but cool at the same time.” The new ear is a polyethylene mold covered with tissue taken from under the scalp.

You can watch the news video here! What sweet news for Alexis and her family all thanks to people like Dr. Reinisch and The Small Wonders Foundation.