On a Sunday in May 2018, retired U.S. Marine Johnny “Joey” Jones, a double amputee who lost both legs to an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan, faced an unexpected hurdle at Six Flags Over Georgia. As he prepared to board the Harley Quinn Spinsanity ride with his 8-year-old son, a park employee informed him he could not ride because he lacked “real legs.” The incident, which Jones shared on Twitter (now X), sparked widespread outrage, prompted a public apology from Six Flags, and ignited a broader conversation about accessibility, disability policies, and the treatment of veterans in public spaces. This article delves into the incident, Jones’s story, the park’s response, and the ongoing debate about balancing safety and inclusion at amusement parks. 🕵️‍♂️

Johnny Joey Jones: A Marine’s Sacrifice 🪖

Johnny “Joey” Jones, then 31, was no stranger to overcoming challenges. Born in Dalton, Georgia, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a bomb technician, deploying to Iraq in 2007 and 2008 and Afghanistan in 2010. On August 6, 2010, while on patrol in the Safar Bazaar, Afghanistan, Jones stepped on a 10-pound IED pressure plate. The explosion severed both legs above the knees, leaving him with permanent injuries. After extensive rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Jones retired from the Marines in 2012, determined to reclaim his life.

Jones’s resilience became a hallmark of his post-military career. He founded Boot Campaign, a nonprofit supporting veterans, and became a Fox News contributor, appearing on shows like The Five and Gutfeld!. His 2024 book, Unbroken Bonds of Battle, chronicled his journey and advocacy for wounded warriors. A lifelong amusement park enthusiast, Jones frequented parks like Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Disney World, where he rode similar attractions without issue. “I don’t try to ride where my legs dangle,” he told Action News Jax. “I only go on rides where I know the safety equipment can function.”

The Incident: A Painful Rejection 🎡

On May 20, 2018, Jones visited Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Cobb County, with his young son. He chose the Harley Quinn Spinsanity, a fully enclosed, tilt-a-whirl-style ride he believed was safe given his experience at other parks. After waiting in line and preparing to board, an employee noticed his prosthetic legs and told him he could not ride. Recalling the moment to The Washington Post, Jones said the employee stated, “Because you don’t have real legs,” or “Because you don’t have legs.” While Jones acknowledged the employee was likely reiterating park rules, the phrasing stung. “It was crass, but he was regurgitating the rules as best he knew them,” he said.

Jones later tweeted: “Just got kicked off a fully enclosed ride @SixFlags (just like one I’ve ridden @UniStudios) for not having ‘real legs’” (@Johnny_Joey, May 20, 2018). He highlighted the ride’s requirements, posted on Six Flags’ website and at the entrance, which mandated “one functioning arm and one functioning leg absent of prosthetic devices.” Jones, who still has his natural legs to the knees, argued he met the physical criteria and had safely ridden similar rides elsewhere. “Hey @SixFlags, you really think I’m so physically useless I can’t ride a tilt-a-whirl? Did you see the enormous hill I walked up to get here?” he tweeted, emphasizing his physical capability.

Six Flags’ Response: Apology and Policy Defense 📜

The incident gained traction on social media, with Jones’s tweet amassing thousands of retweets and comments. By Monday, May 21, Six Flags issued a public apology to Fox News: “We apologize to Mr. Jones for any inconvenience; however, to ensure safety, guests with certain disabilities are restricted from riding certain rides and attractions. Our accessibility policy includes ride safety guidelines and the requirements of the federal American Disabilities Act. Our policies are customized by ride and developed for the safety of all our guests.” The park added that its policies are “reviewed and adjusted regularly” to balance accommodation and safety.

Six Flags’ Guest Safety and Accessibility Guide, available online, detailed requirements for 39 rides, 34 of which required “one to two fully functional legs,” “natural legs” to a certain point (e.g., the knee), or a “leg sufficient to be contained by a leg strap.” The Harley Quinn Spinsanity specifically prohibited prosthetic devices, a rule Jones admitted he hadn’t noticed. However, he criticized the park’s approach, telling Fox & Friends that the employee’s delivery—“You can’t ride this ride because you don’t have real legs”—was dehumanizing. He also argued that Universal Studios’ “better equipment” allowed amputees to enjoy similar rides safely.

The Safety Debate: A Tragic Precedent ⚠️

Six Flags’ strict policy stemmed from safety concerns, underscored by a tragic 2011 incident at Darien Lake Theme Park in New York. U.S. Army Sgt. James Thomas Hackemer, a double amputee who lost both legs in Iraq, was ejected from the Ride of Steel roller coaster and died. Hackemer, injured by an armor-penetrating warhead in 2008, had no thighs for the lap bar to secure, contributing to the accident. An investigation led to a reported seven-figure settlement, and the incident prompted amusement parks nationwide to tighten accessibility rules.

Jones distinguished his case from Hackemer’s, noting that he retains his natural legs to the knees, allowing lap bars to secure him. “I’m not trying to die,” he told The Washington Post, emphasizing his caution in choosing rides. He argued that Six Flags’ blanket policy—requiring “natural legs” without prosthetics—was overly restrictive, failing to account for individual capabilities. “Universal looks for a way to accommodate me, not restrict me just because of liability,” he said on Fox & Friends.

The amusement industry defends such policies as necessary. Roller coaster restraints rely on contact with the pelvis or upper thighs, and prosthetic limbs may not provide the stability needed for high-speed rides. A Reddit user on r/offbeat in 2014 noted, “The victim of [the 2011] accident should have never been allowed to ride. The lap bar restraint relies on legs being bent at the knee, and he had no knees.” However, critics argue that parks should invest in adaptive equipment, as Universal Studios does, to accommodate amputees without compromising safety.

Public Reaction: Outrage and Support 🌐

Jones’s tweet sparked a wave of support on social media, with veterans and disability advocates condemning Six Flags. “A message to all those veterans out there who use prosthetics, @SeaWorld @UniStudios and @DisneyParks will move (magic) mountains for you. @SixFlags will tell you ‘nah bro, you gotta have two real legs,’” Jones tweeted, urging amputees to visit more inclusive parks. X users echoed his frustration, with one writing, “Shame on @SixFlags for treating a hero like this!” Others criticized the employee’s phrasing, calling it “insensitive” and “humiliating.”

However, some defended Six Flags, citing safety. A Reddit thread on r/offbeat argued, “It’s for safety. They don’t want someone to slip out of a roller coaster.” Others felt Jones’s veteran status was overemphasized, with one user stating, “He doesn’t deserve special treatment beyond what other amputees get.” The debate highlighted tensions between inclusion and liability, with some accusing Jones of seeking attention, while others saw his advocacy as a push for systemic change.

Jones’s Advocacy: A Call for Change 🗣️

Jones clarified he wasn’t upset about being denied the ride but about the policy’s presentation and rigidity. “I want Six Flags to treat people like me with the same care and thoughtfulness as other park-goers,” he told Fox News. He advocated for better employee training and clearer signage, noting that he missed the ride’s requirements at the entrance. Jones also pushed for parks to adopt adaptive technologies, like those at Universal Studios, which use specialized restraints for amputees.

His experience resonated with other veterans. In 2014, Sgt. Stephen Jackel, another double amputee, was denied access to Six Flags’ Boomerang ride in Texas for lacking “one functional leg and one functional arm.” Jackel, who lost both legs in Afghanistan in 2011, called the rejection “devastating,” especially as he was with his 14-year-old daughter. Like Jones, he criticized the park’s lack of transparency when selling tickets. “I would’ve gone somewhere where my disability isn’t an issue,” Jackel told KENS 5.

The Broader Context: Accessibility in Amusement Parks 🎠

The Six Flags incident exposed broader issues in amusement park accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires parks to provide “reasonable accommodations,” but safety exemptions allow restrictions on certain rides. Six Flags’ policy, aligned with ADA guidelines, prioritizes rider safety but often leaves amputees feeling excluded. Jones’s case wasn’t isolated; in 2011, Marine veteran Matias Ferreira, a double amputee, faced similar restrictions at other parks before becoming the nation’s first double-amputee police officer.

In contrast, parks like Universal Studios and Disney World have invested in adaptive restraints and staff training, earning praise from amputees. Hari Budha Magar, a double-amputee Gurkha who lost his legs in Afghanistan, successfully campaigned against Nepal’s 2017 Everest climbing ban for amputees, citing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. His advocacy underscores the need for inclusion over blanket restrictions.

Six Flags’ Commitment: A Step Forward? 🔧

Following the incident, Six Flags reiterated its commitment to reviewing policies. While no immediate changes were announced, the apology signaled openness to dialogue. Jones, for his part, used the experience to advocate for veterans and amputees, telling The Washington Post, “I spent the last eight years reclaiming my life.” His story inspired others, like Marine veteran Tomy Parker, a triple amputee who competed in wheelchair races after overcoming addiction, showing the power of resilience.

A Lasting Impact: Inclusion vs. Safety ⚖️

The Six Flags apology closed a painful chapter for Johnny Joey Jones, but the incident left a lasting mark. It highlighted the delicate balance between safety and inclusion, challenging amusement parks to innovate while protecting guests. For Jones, the rejection was a reminder of his sacrifices but also his strength. “I don’t want to die,” he said, “but I also want to live.” His call for change continues to resonate, urging parks to see amputees not as liabilities but as individuals capable of thriving. As America grapples with accessibility, Jones’s story is a powerful reminder: heroes like him deserve a seat on the ride—literal and figurative. 🇺🇸