John —

On my way back from the Communities of Care event this week in Washington DC, my worst nightmare came true. United Airlines destroyed my custom-built $30,000 wheelchair, leaving me stranded for hours at the airport, and now, stuck at home.

My power chair was so severely bent that I was unable to sit in it. It wouldn’t even turn on. When we filed a complaint, United agents were incredibly rude to me and my dedicated care worker, Christine.

United Airlines isn’t respecting people with disabilities like me. They shouldn’t get away with destroying our means of transportation and then talking down to us and our caregivers. Add your name today to tell United Airlines to do better for people with disabilities — starting by replacing my wheelchair and issuing a public apology.

Add your name and tell United to do better.

My story is far too common in the disability community. Airlines damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 wheelchairs in 2019, the first year they were required to report statistics. That’s more than 29 people a day who are stranded, often far from home, by airlines’ carelessness.[1] This has been the most horrific experience of my 51 years living.

Airlines are required to repair or replace damaged wheelchairs, but it can often take weeks before people are reunited with broken or lost wheelchairs. Nobody should have to live in fear that they will lose their independence due to an airplane ride, but for people with disabilities that’s exactly what we have to go through every time we step on a plane.

We’ve had enough. Tell United Airlines — and all airlines — to respect people with disabilities and to stop destroying our wheelchairs.

Add your name today.

With care,

Engracia Figueroa, disability rights advocate
Hand In Hand: The Domestic Employers Network & Caring Across Generations

P.S. Once you sign, will you share this with your friends and family? We need lots of people sending our message to United.

Sources:
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2021/06/07/wheelchair-scooter-damage-airplane-flights/