Frank Gardner, a journalist with the BBC who has faced immense challenges since being shot and paralyzed by al-Qaeda gunmen in 2004, recently shared a troubling experience he had while flying with LOT Polish Airlines.
Gardner, who relies on a wheelchair, was prevented from using one during his flight, forcing him to crawl between his seat and the bathroom.
He took to social media to express his frustration, and during a segment on BBC Breakfast, he criticized the airline for what he described as an “inhumane” treatment of passengers with disabilities.
A Call for Change
At 63 years old, Gardner took to X (formerly Twitter) to recount his ordeal to his 125,000 followers.
He shared a photo of his legs on the floor of the aircraft, emphasizing the absurdity of having to crawl in 2024.
“It’s airline policy that we don’t have onboard wheelchairs,” he wrote, highlighting the discriminatory nature of such a policy against those with mobility challenges.
He acknowledged that the cabin crew were apologetic and did their best to assist him, but he made it clear that the airline itself was at fault.
Gardner further elaborated on his experience during the BBC Breakfast interview, noting that he felt it was unacceptable for LOT to operate without an onboard aisle chair for disabled passengers.
Despite the crew’s best efforts, he found crawling along the dirty floor of the plane to be both humiliating and uncomfortable.
“It’s not difficult to have an onboard aisle chair,” he stated, pointing out that such equipment is compact and could easily fit in the overhead compartments.
Public Support and Outrage
Many people rallied behind Gardner on social media, expressing their shock and disbelief at the airline’s policies. Comments flooded in, with some calling for a reevaluation of LOT’s accessibility measures.
One user remarked that the airline needed to be held accountable for its lack of compliance with disability rights, while another lamented the absence of prior notification regarding the airline’s limitations, suggesting that UK airports should reconsider allowing LOT to operate.
In response to the overwhelming support, Gardner remarked on the need for immediate change, questioning why an airline could continue to fly without basic provisions for disabled passengers.
The situation was further exacerbated by LOT’s response to his experience, which included an apology but also indicated that onboard wheelchairs are only available on long-haul flights.
This response did not sit well with Gardner, who pointed out that he had encountered similar issues during a previous flight with the airline.
LOT Polish Airlines Responds
In an official statement, LOT Polish Airlines expressed regret over Gardner’s experience, stating that they were “deeply sorry for the distressing ordeal.”
They noted that while onboard wheelchairs are available on their Dreamliner aircraft, short-haul flights do not currently have this service due to space constraints.
The airline promised to explore solutions for better accessibility in the future and emphasized their commitment to providing assistance throughout the travel process.
However, Gardner was not satisfied with this assurance.
During his interview, he called the airline’s response an example of “arrogant and lazy” attitudes toward accessibility.
He urged LOT to take immediate action, arguing that it’s unacceptable for airlines in the 21st century to lack essential provisions for passengers with disabilities.
Advocacy for Disability Rights
Gardner’s experience has highlighted the need for stronger advocacy regarding the rights of disabled travelers.
The campaign “Rights For Flights,” which includes support from organizations like Disability Rights UK and disability advocate Sophie Morgan, aims to empower the Civil Aviation Authority to impose fines on airlines that fail to meet accessibility standards.
Many supporters are calling for better treatment of disabled passengers, emphasizing the need for airlines to provide timely assistance and ensure that mobility devices are handled properly.
Gardner himself has been vocal about his experiences, previously recounting incidents where he was left stranded on planes without assistance after landing.
His resilience and advocacy continue to shed light on the challenges faced by disabled individuals in the travel industry.
Despite the trauma he has endured, he remains committed to raising awareness and fighting for the dignity and rights of all travelers.
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