"Why Should She Get Preferential Treatment Just Because She's A Cripple?"
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
March 19, 2016 12:04pm CST
I used to travel regularly with my friend Sarah who was paralysed as the result of an accident.
At airports we were always taken to the front of the queue so that we could board the plane first. One day a woman in the line said loudly to her husband "I don't know why that cripple in the wheelchair should get preferential treatment, she's sitting down so what does it matter to her?"
Sarah was nothing if not feisty and said to her, "Madam, what I wouldn't give to be able to stand in line like you. I would willingly trade my broken neck for your ability to walk onto the plane."
The reason we had to board first was because two airport workers had to lift her onto the plane and into her seat. For some reason they never allowed her to occupy an aisle seat, and I had to get into the row behind to help manoeuvre her into the designated position.
Obviously I wouldn't be able to do this if there were already people sitting there, or if they were milling about trying to find their own seats.
So the reason for getting disabled people settled in their seats first is so that they don't cause disruption to other passengers. For the same reason they are always the last to get off.
So please don't be impatient or resentful when you see people less fortunate than you getting 'preferential treatment'.
67 people like this
69 responses
@silvermist (19702)
• India
19 Mar 16
@jaboUK It really is a pity that many persons are inconsiderate and insensitive towards disabled people.
5 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@silvermist I know a lot of it is ignorance, but you would think that common sense would prevail.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Mar 16
Certainly not. I am glad she spoke up and shamed that woman.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@JamesHxstatic Yes, Sarah used to say that it was only her body that didn't work, not her brain or her mouth
1 person likes this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
19 Mar 16
I am sorry your friend has to go through that. People can be so rude. It will happen to her one day, and she will remember how rude she was to your friend. Karma has a way of straightening people out.
2 people like this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
19 Mar 16
@jaboUK Yes it would be nice to know.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@slund2041 This was a few years ago, and it would be interesting to see if karma struck.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50528)
• United States
19 Mar 16
People can be so rude. The woman should have been ashamed.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@Tampa_girl7 I hope she was ashamed, but she was probably one of those boorish women who couldn't accept that she'd done wrong.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
OH my God Janet I find that absolutely disgraceful and shameful. Some people only think about ME ME ME. I hope that person was so embarrassed it taught her to keep her fat mouth shut. It was a good job it was not me with her because I do not think I would have been so delicate with my response. Kudos to your brave friend. Not only that if there were an emergency that gobby cow would have been first off the plane while your friends sadly had to wait for all able bodied people were off. I doubt that selfish cow thought about that! ( Stay calm and breathe)
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@garymarsh6 I couldn't believe the crassness of that woman and was already to jump to Sarah's defence, but Sarah got in first
. That woman did have the grace to look shamefaced, but whether she learnt a lesson or not, I don't know.
It's true that we would have had to wait to get off if there had been an emergency - we think that was why they wouldn't let her occupy an aisle seat - so that she wouldn't be in anyone else's way.
. That woman did have the grace to look shamefaced, but whether she learnt a lesson or not, I don't know.
It's true that we would have had to wait to get off if there had been an emergency - we think that was why they wouldn't let her occupy an aisle seat - so that she wouldn't be in anyone else's way.2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@jaboUK Yes that is usually the case as it is faster to get those able to walk off first and then the disabled passengers can be lifted without stupid people around like that idiotic woman.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Mar 16
Someone really said that? Any language I use at this moment would get me kicked off the site.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@teamfreak Yes she really said it - I could hardly believe that anyone could be so crass and rude.
1 person likes this
@rina110383 (24492)
•
19 Mar 16
I always give preferential treatment for them because that's what our law says and I understand their situation.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@rina110383 I'm glad that you understand Rina, some people like this woman obviously don't.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
That is the thing wrong with this world now .....no patience......nastiness.....no manners no consideration and nasty ignorant People
It is disgusting that they even have to make such a comment about a Person in a wheelchair it is bad enough when I am forced to walk stairs and someone behind me says "What is your Problem keep stopping and walking so slow you should be a lot fitter for your age" I was not as polite as your Friend as I am still even after 10 years very embarrassed and sensitive about all of this I turned round and replied " I hope that your F...ing Lungs stay Healthy and you are never in this situation and if you are I hope you have someone ignorant Person behind you like I have right now"
This world is filled with such horrible People now
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
19 Mar 16
@jaboUK its like I tell the kids when they drive and get behind someone going really slow and they cuss and stuff. I tell them, you don't know, they could be having a problem with their car and can't help it.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 16
@bunnybon7 It's always good to give people the benefit of the doubt - we don't know what they may be going through.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
20 Mar 16
there are obvious practical considerations as you show well - it isn't just a gesture of pity or sympathy - the couple moaning obviously suffer from disabled manners and crippled common sense
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
21 Mar 16
@jaboUK true he didn't join in but then he doesn't seem to have challenged or questioned his wife's outburst either
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar 16
@arthurchappell What a descriptive way of saying what that woman suffered from. Her husband was blameless as far as I could see.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
21 Mar 16
@arthurchappell He looked like the typical hen-pecked type.
1 person likes this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
20 Mar 16
Thats why they say think twice before you speak. I am sure if she knew the reason for her getting in first she would have felt stupid
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar 16
@Missmwngi I think she felt a bit stupid anyway when Sarah spoke to her.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
21 Mar 16
@Missmwngi That's exactly right. At least that woman was capable of standing in line and walking onto the plane.
1 person likes this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
20 Mar 16
@jaboUK She should appreciate the fact that she is not the one been helped to board the plane
1 person likes this
