Originally Posted by writes4me
First, my leg is in need of a few more 'adjustments' in the form of removing the hardware inserted to fix it the first time around.
Next, there was no ramp at either the Bangor Airport or the Newark NJ Airport. You need to realize I'd never been disabled in anyway before. I didn't know who to complain to or what rights belonged to me. I sincerely didn't realize how different life would be.
I knew that from your description. I hope that, if it's not too late, that Continental can be forced to train those people.
Bangor Airport had only a regular roll up set of stairs. Newark had the same only these stairs were higher. Newark did however have a small chair that is used to carry a person on board. You are supposed to be secured onto the chair by locking straps only no one knew how to use the straps. I was told to tie the straps around myself and hold them. The chair I was sat in to be taken aboard the plane had small wheels on the bottom. These wheels got stuck in between the top of the stairs and the plane. When the wheels stuck the airline employee shoved too hard and that's when I went leg first into the bulkhead immediately across from the entry.
I've been carried up the steps in those chairs multiple times. There is no way I am going to let them do it until I'm properly secured in that chair (called an aisle chair). I can't believe they told you to just hold on the straps! That is very bad! I would have insisted they call someone who knowsa how. I realize it was your first time. I have heard of some pwople with disabilities being dropped in those chairs. It's a very serious issue.
As for the wheels getting stuck, been there too. If they had two people to lift the chair, they should have been able to lift it out of the gap too. What happened to you is a very serious problem. Continental needs to be forced to retrain those people.
The entire affair made me wakeup to what happens to people with permenent disabilities all the time. I nearly went bonkers in my time in a wheelchair then creeping along on a walker (mind you to be creeping and standing was a blessing). I found all sorts of things that I'd previously taken for granted. Even bathrooms in the hospital and rehab were difficult to nearly impossible to navigate. It was a rough wake up call.
I just wish that when God decided to show me first hand how others live he didn't break my leg in 9 places to do it. I mean wouldn't 5 broken places be enough? LOL
I'm sorry you had to experience life like this. However, give God a big thanks that it is only temporary. Most of us have to live this way for the rest of our lives.
I can look up what to do, when I have time, but it does seem to be too late to do anything now.