Hi! I was flying recently. I had an accident recently and have sustained shoulder and neck damage. I'm out of braces and things so there is no obvious sign except for some hunching and limited use of one of my arms if you're observing me. Its been hard traveling with a more invisible disability in a few ways.

Our first plane arrived significantly late and we had six or seven minutes to make our connection. We asked the flight attendant on our first plane if she had any gate information or knew if they would be holding the plane. She was fairly rude and told us we could make it and to just run. And of course despite trying to get off the plane quickly, lots of terminal destination people got off despite an announcement asking them to remain seated.

The second flight ended up being a terminal away. I ran as much as possible then sent my husband ahead to see if it was still there and to try and make sure we got on it. I continued to hustle and ran a bit more. At this point I'm in a ton of pain, but we're also flying a weird route so I figure it's better than spending a night on the floor at the airport!

When I arrived my husband was there and said they were holding it for another ten minutes. I start to cry because I'm just so upset and so hurting and would it have killed them to make an announcement stating that? The person at the desk is rude and tell us to hurry up and get going. I start to cry more and fling the tickets down on the desk and say "I have a dehibilitating illness and just ran across the airport."

Do you think we'll be blacklisted or anything? I was scared they weren't going to let me on the flight after I had been so rude, but nothing happened. My husband says I'm being silly and that they deal with lots of disgruntled travelers every day.

I think your husband is right, but having to run is not good. I'm not sure what they could do other provide a cart ride.

If you are in a current medical situation, any situation, that requires assistance, get a written letter or Rx from your doctor to present to the airport and airline staff. Always contact your airline to have them annotate your reservation record with any special needs.

Communicate your needs to any flight people or staff so they can be aware and radio ahead for help on the ground should you need it. Even with a "visible" disability or situation requiring assistance, you can not and should not assume people will be observant or helpful until informed, and even then, it may be a crapshoot.

You will not be blacklisted, IMHO, only if you made some type of threat or other. As for expecting an announcement over the intercom in the terminal, very unlikely although it would have been welcome. Why didn't your husband call or text you to tell you the situation?

And the cardinal rule of flying with a disability, or anytime - NEVER, NEVER, schedule anything with less than 1 hour of connecting time, especially in the winter. Late flights must be anticipated, and time given to move from gate to gate. You can find out from checking airline sites the anticipated flight time, arrival and take off, as well as (usually) up to date gate assignments via web, apps, or calling before boarding the flight, and for your next flight.

I realize that your itinerary was unusual and maybe you had no choice, but seeing as you and your husband knew your mobility is limited, arrangements should have been made otherwise to accomodate you, or at least called ahead to arrange wheelchair or cart transport with the transfer airport.

By way of reference, I've flown a lot from 2000 through 2013, and many trips with my 23 year old handicapped cerebral palsy daughter who is wheelchair bound, and must be carried to and from her seat, and her wheelchair broken down, stowed in the cargo compartment, and then wait for them to bring it up, reassembled, and then she is placed into it. Lived it, learned a lot, and must anticipate delays, obstacles, problems.

It is not your fault, but in the future, much more can be done to mitigate these travel issues. The last thing you need is to hurt yourself further from running, or falling, or worse. Hope your travels are safe and more relaxed, and your recovery is soon.

Regards,

Bart, MP Premier (an old now outdated UAL name now.)

Thank you guys so much for your kindness and tips! I was definitely quite rude but not threatening or anything. My husband said if they'd had any concerns they wouldn't have let me fly right then and that they get upset passengers all the time and know the difference between upset and dangerous. I think I'm mostly embarrassed about behaving like that! I'm learning the hard way that pain and discomfort make me a lot more irritable.

We had over an hour between flights, but almost from the beginning of the first flight they said we'd be significantly delayed. Someone in our row said something about cruising altitude but I don't know if that was really the reason or how he knew. : (

The departure GA wanted you onboard so the aircraft could depart. Standing at the gate giving the GA a hard time is not merely not productive, but counter-productive. You should count yourself very lucky that the GA didn't simply close the flight and leave you standing there.

Sorry for your condition, but there is nothing more which could have been done given that you apparently did not make prior arrangements for an escort between gates. It is also not feasible to make announcements at a major airport, you don't say where you were, but it has at least 2 terminals, about minor delays at a gate in another terminal. Personnel also don't know that the aircraft will be held, so all they can do is push you to get where you are going as fast as you can.