Paraplegic man drags himself through airport

Explain the difference between being pushed through an airport in a wheelchair, and being driven in a cart by a driver. This man seems to believe that one carries a higher status than the other, I’m finding it difficult to understand why.



Because it wasn’t. It was unfortunate but shit happens. There was no deliberate targeting of him as an individual. He is taking it as a personal slight, when in reality, it’s just one of those things that happens when thousands of people and their luggage are being from place to place.

ALL passengers are warned that their luggage might get lost. People are told to pack some of their belongings in hand luggage, some if travelling with others should pack some of their items in the other persons luggage. It’s about being prepared for the unfortunate situations.

The airport provides for the loss of wheelchairs by providing wheelchairs propelled by helpers. Even if the wheelchair was self propelled there would be an airport representative present to see the passenger off the premises, so they would still be under supervision.

What he is actually demanding is special treatment, above all others, to ensure that his personal belongings should be protected. That’s not fair to other passengers.
Actually, his biggest gripe is that the airport couldnt provide a self propelled wheelchair like lots of other airports do

People are getting confused with definition of equality. Equality doesn't mean treating people the same, it should mean making sure that everybody can reach the same end goal. If that means treating some people different to achieve that then that's fine
 
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Actually, his biggest gripe is that the airport couldnt provide a self propelled wheelchair like lots of other airports do

People are getting confused with definition of equality. Equality doesn't mean treating people the same, it should mean making sure that everybody can reach the same end goal. If that means treating some people different to achieve that then that's fine

His goal was to leave the airport. He was given an option but chose to refuse it.
 
I’m trying to understand this.

I imagine he’s angry and hugely frustrated at the instant inability of service providers, building and infrastructure designers and transportation organisations to recognise his- and thousands of other disabled peoples needs. I imagine the constant battle for personal independence and the fraught nature of flying (think about it; the toilets would be impossible, getting on and off, getting around the airport - just imagine for a moment his life).

Then they lose a 20 grand wheelchair. That gives me a modicum of dignity

I’d be f***ing furious. And possibly go a bit overboard. And be an arsehole.

People were doing their best. But maybe ‘best’ is in need of improvement.

Just thought I’d add a little different perspective.

My first reaction was that he was being an attention seeking unnecessarily arseholy knacker.
 
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His goal was to leave the airport. He was given an option but chose to refuse it.
Under the Equality Act he can expect an airport to make 'reasonable adjustments ' to allow him to keep a level of independence. It is more than reasonable to expect an airport to keep a small stock of self propelled wheelchair like other airports.

Thats the law which the airport have failed to adhere to
 
I find it amazing that on reading a story like that, the first thing people pick up on is that 'He's a dick' or words to that effect. Failing to focus on the incompetence of airport staff.

Have a read back through the thread and other than myself there's been very few (If any) who have picked up on that

The airport staff did not force him to act like a knob.
Ways and means of doing things.
 
The airport staff did not force him to act like a knob.
Ways and means of doing things.
I agree. He could have handled it better but it's probably not the first time this has happened to him as it's happened twice to me so he'll be highly pissed off
 
Under the Equality Act he can expect an airport to make 'reasonable adjustments ' to allow him to keep a level of independence. It is more than reasonable to expect an airport to keep a small stock of self propelled wheelchair like other airports.

Thats the law which the airport have failed to adhere to

I'd imagine the law protects against discrimination and exclusion rather than laying down specifics to suit individual demands or desires. The airport offered assistance which whilst not to this chaps satisfaction clearly demonstrated that they were not discriminating against disabled passengers.

He needed assistance for a very short amount of time to travel through the airport and their offered method of assistance hardly falls under the banner of offensive or degrading. It's not like they were trying to bundle him into a shopping trolley. He's disabled, he had no need to feel degraded or humiliated about that and the airport was not trying to make him feel that way. I get why those that are disabled are placing a high value on independence and absobloodylutely right that they do, but for the sake of what, 20 or 30 minutes tops, I find his attitude a bit twattish to be honest.
 
When I read the story my first thought was what an attention seeking bellend. But then it's easy for me to say given I'm relatively healthy and have my own independence.

But then putting myself in his position I can see why he's annoyed. I wouldn't want to pushed around either, especially though no fault of his own. Granted I wouldn't scoot around the airport on the floor just to prove a point, but I'd be pissed off.
Agree with this. What would happen if the lad needed to go for a shit or summit?

What if it was a pair of crutches?

“Hang on these aren’t the premium crutches I’m used to, these appear to be some lost property crutches...I’d rather crawl, in a bit!”
That's 2 crap comparisons you've done now. ;)
 
Agree with this. What would happen if the lad needed to go for a shit or summit?


That's 2 crap comparisons you've done now. ;)
I would guess he would be much better off crawling through everyone’s piss in the bog rather than asking his mate to push Hume to the disabled loo in a wheelchair.
 
Under the Equality Act he can expect an airport to make 'reasonable adjustments ' to allow him to keep a level of independence. It is more than reasonable to expect an airport to keep a small stock of self propelled wheelchair like other airports.

Thats the law which the airport have failed to adhere to
That’s the crux of the biscuit: what was a, “reasonable adjustment” in these circumstances? The airport will argue it is a question of how to facilitate his way through the airport; not of how they ensure his independence.
 
That’s the crux of the biscuit: what was a, “reasonable adjustment” in these circumstances? The airport will argue it is a question of how to facilitate his way through the airport; not of how they ensure his independence.
Stop using common sense. It is not tolerated on the site.
 

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