The Internet Is Calling Out Delta Airlines For Damaging This Woman’s Wheelchair And Making Her Cry
Those who frequently travel by plane know that it’s best to keep your precious things on yourself and try not to put them in the registered luggage. It’s no secret that airport workers aren’t super careful with the suitcases and you can see evidence of that when they come back with scuffs on the sides.
But a suitcase with a few scratches is nothing compared to what Gabrielle deFiebre had to deal with. To move, she needs a wheelchair, but she can’t go on a plane with it and it gets taken to the cargo area. This time, when it came back, the wheel was all warped and that brought the woman to tears. The TikTok video capturing her reaction when she realized her only way of mobility was taken from her was watched 16.1 million times and people were furious for Gabrielle.
More info: TikTok
Gabrielle, who has transverse myelitis, is always anxious to travel by plane because she never knows if her wheelchair will come back in one piece
Image credits: geeg_d
Gabrielle deFiebre is Director of Research and Programs at Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association from New York. She has transverse myelitis, which is a neurological disorder which inflames the spinal cord across its width (‘transverse’), destroying the fatty substance that protects nerve cells. It can lead to paralysis and that is what happened to Gabrielle, which is why she needs the wheelchair.
Her wheelchair is custom made for her, according to her measurements, and her wheels are a high-tech, power-assist pair with a motor because she has limited hand function on one side and no function on the other.
Image credits: briscalesse
Wheelchairs get mishandled on planes every day and the one made specifically for Gabrielle got damaged on a flight going on a girls’ trip to Phoenix
Image credits: briscalesse
Traveling by plane is always a nerve-wracking experience for Gabrielle as she knows that so many disabled people get their wheelchairs damaged. But she still went on a girls’ trip to Phoenix because fears shouldn’t control your life.
She was worried not only because she couldn’t use a manual wheelchair if hers got damaged, but because for a disabled person, their wheelchair is an extension of their body. It’s the thing that makes them independent and enables them to move.
Gabrielle’s friend filmed her reaction when she realized her only way of living an independent life was taken from her
Image credits: briscalesse
So, when she landed in Phoenix and realized her wheelchair was damaged, Gabrielle couldn’t control her tears. Her friend Bri filmed this reaction and the video was watched over 16 million times. People were sharing similar experiences and tagging Delta Airlines so they would compensate Gabrielle because, like she was saying in the video, the wheelchair is her life, the thing that enables her to live her life.
Image credits: briscalesse
Thanks to the amazing disabled community, Gabrielle was able to have a wonderful trip as someone lent her the exact same wheels as hers were
Image credits: geeg_d
Later, Bri uploaded an update video in which they both thanked people for the support and solidarity. Gabrielle informed the viewers that Delta Airlines promised to replace the warped wheel.
Also, the trip wasn’t a complete fail as Gabrielle found a person who had the same wheelchair as hers and lent it to her for the stay in Phoenix. She managed to enjoy the city despite the unfortunate start in the airport.
In an update video, Gabrielle said that Delta Airlines will pay for the replacement of the damaged wheel
Image credits: briscalesse
Here is the video that touched millions of people’s hearts
@briscalesseWhen is this going to stop? ##fyp ##disabilitiyawareness ##wheelchair @geeg_def♬ original sound – briscalesse
Video credits: briscalesse
It appears that wheelchairs get damaged on planes all the time. According to the Air Travel Customer report, which included several airlines, only in the month of March 2021, out of the 27,695 wheelchairs and scooters that have been on planes, 310 were mishandled.
Even though it seems like an everyday occurrence, it shouldn’t be looked at as normal. This story brings awareness to what challenges the disabled community has to face when traveling and hopefully this story will encourage companies to implement some changes.
The video got nearly 60k comments in which people were tagging Delta Airlines to fix the situation and were sharing similar experiences
EVEN WORSE than the cost issues are the immediacy issues. Once damage has occurred, even in the best-case scenarios (when the airline immediately says they'll cover the costs of damage), it's going to take time to get a customized chair back to working properly. Imagine this woman's time away with her friends if no one had been able to lend her a chair. NO AMOUNT OF MONEY would have gotten her the experience back. Airlines HAVE to do better.
Delta broke a passenger's legs. Delta brakes passenger's legs on a regular basis. This should be the headline of every article about this!
Load More Replies...
Great, Delta Airlines, just great? How about if you knock my glasses off next time and step on them, stealing another man's leg protesis and break a blind child's walking stick in two pieces? I can't believe how careless these airline people are.
This kind of thing happens all the time to people with prosthetics or other medical equipment. My mom worked in a prison and told me about a woman who was denied entrance to visit her son because she had a prosthetic breast she refused to remove. She tried to compromise and said a female CO was more than welcome to accompany her and fully search the prosthetic first, but she would not be leaving it behind
Load More Replies...
As a wheelchair user, flying is so anxiety enducing. It's the only time I'm ever away from my chair and have no control over who moves it etc. I panic that it's not made the flight (even though it's the last thing on) that it'll be broken or parts go missing. It's not just a wheelchair, it's my legs, my way to move around. Airport handlers need to realize how important wheelchairs are to us users and treat them like they're handling a human. I'm glad the wheelchair community came to support this woman and help, but airports and airlines need to do more as I hear about this happening all the time.
While everyone is getting all over the airline companies, how about also getting all over the plane manufacturers. This kind of stuff wouldn't happen if they could design a airplane like a city bus that comes complete with chairs that fold up and lock so wheelchairs can be brought in and secured. It's not that hard to do. The only reason why they don't is because they want tin cans that they can cram as many passengers in like sardines. Get with the times and realize that disabled people travel too.
Sounds like something the airlines need to deal with, they're the ones buying planes
Load More Replies...
I think what the airlines need is a standard size rigid container that can fit most wheelchairs. Then they wouldn't require any special handling, and can load/unload as normal cargo with minimal risk of damage.
Also not a bag idea. Different sizes for electric or manual wheelchairs that can fold with padding so they aren't thrown around.
Load More Replies...
Girl you need to get a lawyer and sue hard and publicly! Delta is the f*****g worst! I won't go into my horrors flying with them because they are trivial compared to yours, there are too many people Delta has f****d over. You as a disabled person have super rights and need to flex hard on them. I bet you could get many others to join your suit. They are the f*****g worst! I no joke what I complained to them threatened to bomb a plane and dared them to track my call and come get me, 3 years, no legal, and I got only a partial refund. ABSOLUTE F*****G WORST!!!!!
Well, she could try and she could likely win BUT Delta will settle out of court with her so fast they won't even let the ink dry on the subpoena.
Load More Replies... 15 years ago I had my wheelchair damaged, flying to USA from UK, for a month-long travelling trip. The most I got was "uhh, sorry" And a shrug. Thankfully it was just a foot rest, but I had to sit with both feet on the left foot rest for a MONTH while on holiday. Wheelchairs should be treated like they're priceless, because they are, to the people who use them.
They should make a place specifically for wheelchairs and people in them that is secure,safe,and lots of extra service
It seems to be a lot of dragging Delta through the mud when I am sure many airlines have through neglect, broken wheel chairs and other specials equipment. My hope is that this video makes ALL airlines afraid of mishandling wheelchairs.
I have flown a number of times. Only Delta has damaged my stuff. First they 'll claim they cover damages but then list a bunch of exclusion that are exactly what gets damaged. I have watched them load planes by smashing luggage down on the conveyor. I don't mean tossing it. I me twice I watched two different loaders go up on their toes and slam the luggage onto the belt!
Load More Replies...
that is unacceptable, whats delta thinking?! that she can just get up and walk NO! if delta can teach people how to fly planes, how about they THINK TWICE ABOUT BRAKING PEOPLES WHEELCHAIRS!!!
Delta doesn't teach their pilots. Most of Delta's pilots come through ATP. Delta's ground crew is a different thing all together.
Load More Replies... 
this is terrible - that the public has to become outraged in order for them to take action for something that they are responsible for damaging. on another note; does anyone have info on where she got her chair and/or about the power assist of the wheels? i have a power chair that can't be taken in many vehicles, not to mention is heavy and, therefore, have to pay extra for planes to carry. i have similar issues with my hands and arms.
Excuse me but don't they pay for the damage? Every time i have a damage on a suitcase, the airline pays or even gives me another one and I know cases that the person got more money than the actual worth of the suitcase! It really costs nothing to them! They don't get to pay? That's really crazy!!! And this is even more serious than just a suitcase!! There are no laws to protect the passengers?
"Gabrielle informed the viewers that Delta Airlines promised to replace the warped wheel." Which is good, I guess, but it would be better to instruct the staff responsible for handling luggage to be more careful when loading the plane. Especially when "Traveling by plane is always a nerve-wracking experience for Gabrielle as she knows that so many disabled people get their wheelchairs damaged." Which basically means that the best way to get your wheelchair destroyed is to travel by plane, which is totally unacceptable if we really are striving for an "inclusive" society.
Load More Replies...
Fire the baggage handlers that packed it, and those that unloaded it. You break someones legs, you get fired.
This is disgusting! They should have a special area in the hold and a set of rules in place when handling something so important as a wheelchair!
They refused to pay for the chair? The story is unclear. Airlines are always crap with any luggage, no surprise
I don't get how they damaged it though? Wouldn't it be on the plane with you?
How f*****g hard is it to handle a wheel chair with care? Some people are idiots.
Delta should have replaced the whole damn wheelchair. Suppose the baggage handlers had a good laugh! What happens when an animal is trusted to Delta - DEAD laugh giggle giggle!
Wheelchairs can be easily broken if they aren't handled with care. If the airline is just tossing all the luggage, including the wheelchair, instead of handling it with care, then it's no surprise that it would break easily. It's not even that hard to handle it how it's supposed to be handled which makes this situation even more upsetting.
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Thnk you for showing us. Us able-bodied people would not know about the difficulties of people who struggle like this :( <3 Please airlines, be careful with people's posessions. You can break my suitcase but be careful with someone's mobility and medical equipment!!
Airlines and Airports need more accountability. They can do whatever they heck they want without getting in trouble.
You literally have no idea what you are talking about. Airlines, plane manufacturers and everything in between are held accountable for everything.
Load More Replies... I think she needed a special kind "Her wheelchair is custom made for her, according to her measurements, and her wheels are a high-tech, power-assist pair with a motor because she has limited hand function on one side and no function on the other."
Load More Replies... EVEN WORSE than the cost issues are the immediacy issues. Once damage has occurred, even in the best-case scenarios (when the airline immediately says they'll cover the costs of damage), it's going to take time to get a customized chair back to working properly. Imagine this woman's time away with her friends if no one had been able to lend her a chair. NO AMOUNT OF MONEY would have gotten her the experience back. Airlines HAVE to do better.
Delta broke a passenger's legs. Delta brakes passenger's legs on a regular basis. This should be the headline of every article about this!
Load More Replies... Great, Delta Airlines, just great? How about if you knock my glasses off next time and step on them, stealing another man's leg protesis and break a blind child's walking stick in two pieces? I can't believe how careless these airline people are.
This kind of thing happens all the time to people with prosthetics or other medical equipment. My mom worked in a prison and told me about a woman who was denied entrance to visit her son because she had a prosthetic breast she refused to remove. She tried to compromise and said a female CO was more than welcome to accompany her and fully search the prosthetic first, but she would not be leaving it behind
Load More Replies... As a wheelchair user, flying is so anxiety enducing. It's the only time I'm ever away from my chair and have no control over who moves it etc. I panic that it's not made the flight (even though it's the last thing on) that it'll be broken or parts go missing. It's not just a wheelchair, it's my legs, my way to move around. Airport handlers need to realize how important wheelchairs are to us users and treat them like they're handling a human. I'm glad the wheelchair community came to support this woman and help, but airports and airlines need to do more as I hear about this happening all the time.
While everyone is getting all over the airline companies, how about also getting all over the plane manufacturers. This kind of stuff wouldn't happen if they could design a airplane like a city bus that comes complete with chairs that fold up and lock so wheelchairs can be brought in and secured. It's not that hard to do. The only reason why they don't is because they want tin cans that they can cram as many passengers in like sardines. Get with the times and realize that disabled people travel too.
Sounds like something the airlines need to deal with, they're the ones buying planes
Load More Replies... I think what the airlines need is a standard size rigid container that can fit most wheelchairs. Then they wouldn't require any special handling, and can load/unload as normal cargo with minimal risk of damage.
Also not a bag idea. Different sizes for electric or manual wheelchairs that can fold with padding so they aren't thrown around.
Load More Replies... Girl you need to get a lawyer and sue hard and publicly! Delta is the f*****g worst! I won't go into my horrors flying with them because they are trivial compared to yours, there are too many people Delta has f****d over. You as a disabled person have super rights and need to flex hard on them. I bet you could get many others to join your suit. They are the f*****g worst! I no joke what I complained to them threatened to bomb a plane and dared them to track my call and come get me, 3 years, no legal, and I got only a partial refund. ABSOLUTE F*****G WORST!!!!!
Well, she could try and she could likely win BUT Delta will settle out of court with her so fast they won't even let the ink dry on the subpoena.
Load More Replies... 15 years ago I had my wheelchair damaged, flying to USA from UK, for a month-long travelling trip. The most I got was "uhh, sorry" And a shrug. Thankfully it was just a foot rest, but I had to sit with both feet on the left foot rest for a MONTH while on holiday. Wheelchairs should be treated like they're priceless, because they are, to the people who use them.
They should make a place specifically for wheelchairs and people in them that is secure,safe,and lots of extra service
It seems to be a lot of dragging Delta through the mud when I am sure many airlines have through neglect, broken wheel chairs and other specials equipment. My hope is that this video makes ALL airlines afraid of mishandling wheelchairs.
I have flown a number of times. Only Delta has damaged my stuff. First they 'll claim they cover damages but then list a bunch of exclusion that are exactly what gets damaged. I have watched them load planes by smashing luggage down on the conveyor. I don't mean tossing it. I me twice I watched two different loaders go up on their toes and slam the luggage onto the belt!
Load More Replies... that is unacceptable, whats delta thinking?! that she can just get up and walk NO! if delta can teach people how to fly planes, how about they THINK TWICE ABOUT BRAKING PEOPLES WHEELCHAIRS!!!
Delta doesn't teach their pilots. Most of Delta's pilots come through ATP. Delta's ground crew is a different thing all together.
Load More Replies... this is terrible - that the public has to become outraged in order for them to take action for something that they are responsible for damaging. on another note; does anyone have info on where she got her chair and/or about the power assist of the wheels? i have a power chair that can't be taken in many vehicles, not to mention is heavy and, therefore, have to pay extra for planes to carry. i have similar issues with my hands and arms.
Excuse me but don't they pay for the damage? Every time i have a damage on a suitcase, the airline pays or even gives me another one and I know cases that the person got more money than the actual worth of the suitcase! It really costs nothing to them! They don't get to pay? That's really crazy!!! And this is even more serious than just a suitcase!! There are no laws to protect the passengers?
"Gabrielle informed the viewers that Delta Airlines promised to replace the warped wheel." Which is good, I guess, but it would be better to instruct the staff responsible for handling luggage to be more careful when loading the plane. Especially when "Traveling by plane is always a nerve-wracking experience for Gabrielle as she knows that so many disabled people get their wheelchairs damaged." Which basically means that the best way to get your wheelchair destroyed is to travel by plane, which is totally unacceptable if we really are striving for an "inclusive" society.
Load More Replies... Fire the baggage handlers that packed it, and those that unloaded it. You break someones legs, you get fired.
This is disgusting! They should have a special area in the hold and a set of rules in place when handling something so important as a wheelchair!
They refused to pay for the chair? The story is unclear. Airlines are always crap with any luggage, no surprise
I don't get how they damaged it though? Wouldn't it be on the plane with you?
How f*****g hard is it to handle a wheel chair with care? Some people are idiots.
Delta should have replaced the whole damn wheelchair. Suppose the baggage handlers had a good laugh! What happens when an animal is trusted to Delta - DEAD laugh giggle giggle!
Wheelchairs can be easily broken if they aren't handled with care. If the airline is just tossing all the luggage, including the wheelchair, instead of handling it with care, then it's no surprise that it would break easily. It's not even that hard to handle it how it's supposed to be handled which makes this situation even more upsetting.
Load More Replies... Thnk you for showing us. Us able-bodied people would not know about the difficulties of people who struggle like this :( <3 Please airlines, be careful with people's posessions. You can break my suitcase but be careful with someone's mobility and medical equipment!!
Airlines and Airports need more accountability. They can do whatever they heck they want without getting in trouble.
You literally have no idea what you are talking about. Airlines, plane manufacturers and everything in between are held accountable for everything.
Load More Replies... I think she needed a special kind "Her wheelchair is custom made for her, according to her measurements, and her wheels are a high-tech, power-assist pair with a motor because she has limited hand function on one side and no function on the other."
Load More Replies...
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