A magical trip to Disneyland Paris quickly turned into a frustrating ordeal for 14-year-old Anthony “AJ” Higgins from Liverpool, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The teen, unable to walk due to his condition, found himself stranded at home after airline staff forced him to leave behind the battery for his wheelchair on the flight back from France.
Airline Blocks Wheelchair Battery on Return Flight
AJ’s family had been enjoying a three-day Disneyland trip funded by the Make-A-Wish Foundation when things went wrong.
According to his mother, Melissa Higgins, a full-time carer, a pilot refused to allow AJ’s £1,000 wheelchair battery on board the flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Manchester on August 29.
The issue, she said, arose because the battery’s wattage wasn’t visible—a requirement, the airline claimed, for safe travel.
Melissa said that despite having paperwork confirming the battery was safe to fly, the airline insisted it could not be brought on board.
Her partner, Christopher Harvey, 36, tried to argue the case but reportedly faced hostile treatment from the pilot, especially after the pilot realized he and the family were from Liverpool.
Independence Taken Away
Without the battery, AJ has been left effectively housebound. “He’s lost all of his independence,” Melissa said.
“If he hasn’t got that chair, he can’t get around. He literally can’t walk or propel himself because his upper body is too weak.”
The wheelchair, donated by a charity, is now useless without the battery, and replacement parts can cost hundreds of pounds.
Melissa recalled the humiliating experience on the flight home.
“We just wanted to get the kids home so we had to leave the battery behind.
Doing this in front of everyone was humiliating. We were all crying,” she said.
Confusion Over Battery Safety
The family explained that the batteries are dry-cell, not liquid, and therefore don’t display wattage.
Despite passing customs without issue, the airline cited safety concerns for passengers as the reason for confiscating the battery.
Melissa described the pilot as being “dead horrible” and threatening her partner, leaving the family feeling powerless.
Efforts to Reunite With the Battery
Melissa said she has received an apology from EasyJet and hopes to get the battery returned to AJ soon.
“We got told it was getting binned. Shouldn’t we have the option to get it transported back?” she said.
An EasyJet spokesman said: “Safety is easyJet’s highest priority, and airlines must follow regulations for carrying batteries.
Unfortunately, as the necessary information could not be provided for this battery, it was unable to travel.
We fully understand the frustration this will have caused and are in contact with the family to offer assistance.
We have arranged to return the battery to them today.”
Family Hopes for Normal Life Again
For AJ, the priority is simple: regain his freedom to move and return to school and social life.
Melissa emphasized how the absence of the battery has disrupted his daily life.
“EasyJet has caused unnecessary drama and stopped him from going to school and socializing.
He’s been stuck in the house and can’t go anywhere,” she said.
The family now waits for the battery’s return, hoping that the nightmare of a dream trip gone wrong will soon be over.