NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Families visiting North Myrtle Beach are angry and disappointed that the city’s longstanding summer beach tent rules, enacted in 2014, don’t include a disability exception.
The rules state that beach tents are prohibited from May 15 to September 15.
This was the Faulkners’ first time visiting the area, but minutes after setting up their son’s tent, they were told it had to be removed because it violated city ordinances.
Their son, Ryan, who was born with a chromosomal deletion, sensory impairment and severe autism, needs a tent on the beach for a number of reasons, including safety.
“It takes a long time to find something that the whole family can do,” Ryan’s mother, Julie Faulkner, said. “We didn’t do it for two years, and then we were like, ‘OK, OK,’ but within three minutes of starting to get ready, we were like, ‘I can’t be here.'”
The family set up a tent but was politely told by lifeguards to remove it. The family asked if they could move the tent further back and went to city hall to express their concerns.
The Faulkners saw a report on News 13 about a family that had experienced the same thing six years ago.
“We were hopeful that change would occur within that time frame, so hopefully this doesn’t take many more years to resolve,” Julie said.
News 13 asked the city Tuesday if there were any exceptions to the beach tent ban, to which they responded in part:
“The city ordinance regarding beach shade devices clearly states that only umbrellas are permitted. Some people may not be happy with the ordinance, but we must take each of these things into consideration and enforce this ordinance fairly.”
“I know he can’t speak up for himself. He’s non-verbal so he has no voice,” Ryan’s sister, Brynn, said. “So as his sibling, I feel like it’s my job to speak up for him. And when I do that and it’s not heard, it’s really disheartening.”
The Faulkners said they want the city to make changes.
“It’s a simple online form, get a prescription from your doctor, have some kind of proof,” Ryan’s father, Chris, said. “You can even put a tag on it, so when the lifeguards or the police come by they know, ‘OK, I’m following the rules.'”
“This is not just our family, there are so many other families doing the same thing. This beach experience will change so many families and make so many people better,” Ryan’s sister Tia said.
The Faulkners said they hope that by speaking out, North Myrtle Beach will become known as an accepting place for families with children with special needs or disabilities.
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Gracie is a multimedia journalist for News 13 and is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. Gracie will graduate from the University of Alabama in May 2023 and join the team in June. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, X, formerly Twitter, To read more of her work, click here.