As a matter of fact, I would just point out that many senior citizens need wheelchair assistance to navigate the relatively long distances between the point of check-in and the gate, while at the same time being quite capable of walking the relatively short distance of the jetway.

So, is it surprising that so many folks sitting in wheelchairs can walk onboard? Absolutely not.

I would hope that the OP was simply referring to the number of wheelchairs at the gate. The comment that "every one of them got up and walked," is not surprising but does invite the ridicule of those who would mock their real need for a wheelchair.