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Disabled passenger denied assistance because she “didn’t look disabled”

A terrible example of bad attitudes and ignorance towards hidden impairments on the Independent today:
A disabled passenger has branded Stansted Airport staff “disgusting” after she was denied assistance because she “didn’t look disabled”.
Nathalie Allport-Grantham, 23, was flying to Nice with Ryanair on 31 December when a member of staff refused her the assistance she had confirmed ahead of her flight.
She had requested the use of a wheelchair to help her to the gate, as well as assistance carrying her hand luggage onboard the aircraft.
But while she was assigned a wheelchair at check-in, she says it was later taken away from her by airport staff who then told her that she was “wasting their time” by asking for help.
Replies
And there is no sign of attitudes changing any time soon. Most people, even those who ought to understand these things, think that you can only be disabled if you are in a wheelchair.
As for the use of cheap flight companies like Ryanair.... use them at your own risk. They are not in a position financially to provide a good service to minority groups and still provide a cheap service for the majority. It may feel good to save money but just don't expect too much special treatment, they are not geared towards it. This logic applies everywhere, for example, the cheap supermarket companies may give you cheaper food but generally provide no assistance for the disabled (electric trolleys, wider aisles, etc.). This is my main reason for never using them and sticking to Tesco and Sainsbury's. It may cost a little more but at least they do try to help and cater for minorities.
People are so busy now trying to save money they have forgotten the old saying "You get what you pay for".
I recently stayed a few nights in a hotel and picked a special offer which saved me quite a lot, reducing the nightly cost from over £80 down to around £50 a night. However, the comments I include got garbled though fortunately one word did stand out which was "mobility". Consequently I got a phone call which changed a difficult situation into a better one. The offer was to fill the lesser used smoking rooms which are all on the top floor (2 floor motel) but they did not have a lift. Had they not called I could have arrived and had no room available would have been in a very difficult situation, luckily they did still have a downstairs room available when they called.
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I can walk perfectly fine; but am always offered a wheelchair. This is despite the fact that when you request assistance with Flybe, they ask what help you need. I just need someone to take me through security and on to the plane, off the plane and help to reach my destination.
I once had it where I was just left at security and didn't have a clue where to go. Luckily, I'd been at the airport before and luckily, it was small enough that I could just about find my way around.