A former Paralympian has turn out to be the newest traveller with a incapacity to seek out herself in an uncomfortable state of affairs as a result of inaction of a Canadian airline.
Sarah Morris-Probert was flying WestJet from Cabo San Lucas dwelling to Kelowna, however when she went to board the flight there was no method for her to stand up safely utilizing her wheelchair.
Morris-Probert, who’s the president of BC Adaptive Snowsports, mentioned on the way in which to Cabo she requested if there was going to be an air bridge and so they weren’t positive. Luckily, there was an air bridge upon arrival so she was advantageous, she mentioned.
However, when the holiday was over and Morris-Probert was set to go away, she mentioned it was a unique state of affairs.
“The solution was to carry me up the stairs in a wheelchair, which is a really unsafe practice,” she informed Global News.
“And the crew agreed. I will add that the WestJet crew on both flights were fabulous, as always.”
Morris-Probert mentioned she was left with no selection however to carry herself up the steps, separately after which transferred to an aisle chair on the prime.
“What was so frustrating and humiliating was that people were all around me watching. Plus, the ramp that we could have used was within 50 metres. And just sitting idly by.”
Morris-Probert mentioned she pointed this out to the airport employees and was informed that was not “part of their service.”
This just isn’t the primary time that Morris-Probert has had an expertise like this one.
Two years in the past, she was informed by WestJet senior administration that her expertise wouldn’t occur once more and that it will need to have been an remoted incident.
“The big thing is I have the ability to lift myself up the stairs,” she mentioned. “Other people with disabilities may not. So they would have no choice but to be put in that vulnerable, unsafe situation of being carried by a couple of men that mean well but they’re not trained.”
Maayan Ziv, the founder and CEO of Access Now, mentioned Morris-Probert’s expertise, sadly, just isn’t distinctive.
“If you live with a disability and have ever travelled by air, you know that things go wrong at least half of the time,” she mentioned.
“There’s always something. You know, I’m an avid traveller. I’ve travelled for years and whether it was personally or professionally, I’ve navigated many barriers.”
Ziv mentioned it is a systemic problem that isn’t particular to anyone airline.
“Every airline has these issues to solve, barriers to solve,” she added.
“And it’s why we need government intervention. It’s not just coming from the airlines themselves. And we need the proper standards and procedures that protect travellers with disabilities.”
Ziv mentioned individuals have to know these points are nonetheless occurring and airways should be held accountable.
“We’re often treated like second-class citizens when we’re travelling by air,” she mentioned.
“And I just think that we’ve gotten to the point now where there is enough evidence to believe that this is a systemic issue. It’s targeted towards a specific group, and no other passenger is experiencing the types of barriers that disabled people are and at this point becomes a human rights issue that we need to address.”
Ziv mentioned the airways know this is a matter and it mustn’t come as a shock passengers are experiencing these boundaries.
“We are humiliated,” she mentioned. “We are treated in extremely undignified ways and we’re also at risk.”
In an announcement, WestJet mentioned it “sincerely” apologizes for the “handline failures” Morris-Probert skilled.
“WestJet strives to ensure that any guest travelling with medical equipment such as wheelchairs is provided with a seamless travel experience and receives care and support throughout their entire journey,” the corporate mentioned.
WestJet mentioned employees on the Cabo airport weren’t in a position to accommodate a bridge-operated gate as that they had requested.
“After providing the two options that our staff are qualified and trained to provide, Ms. Morris-Probert declined all assistance from the supervisor and customer service agents. We once again sincerely apologize that we were not able to secure a bridge-operated gate for Ms. Morris-Probert,” the corporate mentioned.
However, Morris-Probert informed Global News that the crew on the airport in Cabo didn’t know there can be a passenger with a incapacity, regardless of her doing all the things she may to supply them with superior discover.
“So what needs to be done is we need to get better access,” she mentioned.
“And as I say, simple solution, let’s use ramps or there are still climbing wheelchairs to add on to the Washington chair.
“But carrying somebody in a Washington chair is not safe. It’s 2023. Let’s move on.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
‘Humiliating’: Former Paralympian forced to haul herself up stairs to board WestJet flight
