«Breaking News» Paralyzed rider Amberley Snyder says she was 'humiliated' by United agent while flying

One of the country's most respected, and youngest, advocates for disabled Americans is speaking out about what describes as a 'horrifying and belittling' incident during a recent trip.

It all happened when Amberley Snyder, 28, was flying out of Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita on February 16, heading to Denver on a United flight.

Snyder was in her wheelchair at time, having lost the use of both legs in 2010 following a near-fatal crash.

She arrived at the airport and made it through security without issue she says, and then made her way to the gate to board her flight.

That is when she claims a United worker refused to allow her to board the plane unassisted, informing her she would not be able to fly unless he pushed her himself.

Amberley Snyder (above) is speaking out about a humiliating incident she claims happened at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita on February 16

While boarding a United flight, Snyder was told by a male gate agent that she would not be allowed to travel through the gate on her own

When Snyder insisted she had done this many times before, the gate agent refused her request to board herself and tried to take grab her wheelchair

What happened next still sits with Snyder, as she explains she was forced to switch chairs multiple times and humiliated while doing something it has taken her years to achieve.

'I love to travel alone,' says Snyder.

'It took me so long to be comfortable enough to travel and I had to work hard.'

That did not matter to the agent claims Snyder, who she says was steadfast in his demand.

When he tried to physically push her without her consent, Snyder says she immediately informed him that he was not to touch her chair.

At this point, Snyder said she was frustrated, embarrassed and scared, explaining that she does not like to be pulled in her chair backwards.

'As soon as I said 'you are not touching my chair,' he immediately told someone to get an airport wheelchair,' says Snyder.

She was then forced to swotch from her own chair to the ibe provided by the airport - which is no different in size - so that she could be dragged onto the plane.

'It ruined something I love to do,' says Snyder.

She is very clear that this has never happened before, and says prior to this she has had nothing but positive experiences with airline staff.

'United proudly welcomes all customers and flies thousands of people with disabilities every day,' said United in a statement. 

'We are concerned to learn about our customer’s experience and have reached out to her. We are also working with our team in Wichita to better understand what happened.'

Snyder then told him that he was not to touch he chair, at which point he forced her to get into an airport wheelchair if she wanted to board the flight

Snyder is also forgiving, and states that she wants to share her story so that the man she encountered last month and others understand how their actions impact members of the disabled community.

'I worked hard for every single thing I do,' says Snyder.

'And I don't want to be told I can't do something.'

She then adds: 'Nobody knows my body better than me.' 

Many will get to know Snyder better too next month, when a film about her life appears on Netflix.

The nationally ranked rodeo barrel racer will be played by Spencer Locke in the film Walk. Ride. Rodeo. 

It will be released on March 8.

AMBERLEY SNYDER COMPLAINT TO UNITED

I have been in my chair 9 years and flown hundreds of times. I can handle my chair to the door of the plane before I need assistance. In this case the gate agent would not allow me to take myself down the jetway. I did not give permission for them to touch me or my chair until I have reached the door. He would not allow me to go down the jet bridge unless they took my backwards. I am not comfortable going backwards down a slope.

He gave me no option but to transfer to an airport wheelchair and be taken down backwards which I am not comfortable with nor do I need that.

I should be allowed to wheel myself in my personal chair as far as I am able. We then were not able to fly out and had to come back to deplane. This time to board again. I was told if I didn’t let them take me backwards they wouldn’t help me on the plane at all. I proceeded past the gate agent down the ramp in my own chair and waited until they had to come help with the aisle chair.

I have never been treated so completely rude in all of my times of flying. If it is a safety issue, why don’t they help every person down... walking or not. I believe I deserve the same credit in knowing what I am capable of. Handicapped does not make me helpless. Treating me as a handicapped was insulting, hurtful and offensive.

 

 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/02/23/paralyzed-rider-amberley-snyder-says-she-was-humiliated-by-united-agent-while-flying/
Main photo article One of the country’s most respected, and youngest, advocates for disabled Americans is speaking out about what describes as a ‘horrifying and belittling’ incident during a recent trip.
It all happened when Amberley Snyder, 28, was flying out of Dwight D. Eisenhower National...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca





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