How I Transfer to a Plane as a Quadriplegic with Power Wheelchair

[@Budmetro]

Thanks for sharing! I’m glad the airline took responsibility.

[@betty-annepurdy7723]

I know you had great vacation and we are happy that you and Aidan were able to go. They sure made a mess of your wheelchair!! I'm happy that it will be repaired soon!

[@Disable-DT.-qj5hs]

Thank you so much, love your video..

[@Imaginary.Lemons]

Sorry you went through that, you are 100% correct always take photos and videos of your chair before you give it to them. We are not familiar with WestJet, I have several profiles for the different airlines we travel with. Other than Southwest airlines there is a section for information about my wheelchair. When we get to the airport, we generally have ground crew come and speak to me and I let them know in detail how to lift and maneuver my chair.

[@wheelchairric]

would love to have you on a Wheelchair Wednesday episode one day!

[@candd981]

What wheelchair do you have? Model

[@candd981]

Wow! Sorry this happened. 😢

[@morgancalvi6675]

Yes, but traveling in a power chair is just silly. Always take a manual (if you have power assist wheels, even better) and bubble wrap it when you can when you're at the gate. Someone could have carried you from the gate to the plane. You can fit the wheels in the over head compartment or if you were in the front seat...you can stow them there. Always bring your cushion and sit on it during the flight. Many parts of the chair will fit in the over head compartment. You NEVER take a chair you need in one piece and rely on. I personally have always had a front seat as a handicapped flyer. You can take the side guards, arm rests and other small parts and stow them in the over head compartment. If you travel put luggage tags on the chair with your home address/phone number and your destination address/phone number. However, it's super smart you took pictures and videos. Keisha, you did everything wrong here...I hope you have better luck next time.

[@KieshaMastrodimosXo]

I am a quadriplegic. I cannot go in a manual chair. I would have to get pushed around everywhere. In your eyes and in your perspective, it wouldn’t have worked for you, but guess what it all worked for me so I would appreciate it if you kept your negative comments to yourself. This is the second one that you have done on my KZbin video. third time, I will block you.

[@deirdresouza2769]

@@KieshaMastrodimosXo she’s to busy telling you what she does and thinks to read your comments! How is a quadriplegic supposed to take apart their chair and put it back together? And I wonder if she read what she wrote?”never take a chair you need in one piece and rely on” ?? So take a chair that is in pieces that you physically can’t put together? And take one that’s not reliable? 😂😂 I’m just glad they are taking care of it, you can tell they just threw it around with dents and scrapes ,and pieces hanging off, it was not handled responsibly! 😊

[@KieshaMastrodimosXo]

@@deirdresouza2769thank you 🎉. you’re right! lol

[@deirdresouza2769]

Wow that’s unacceptable! Sorry that happened, you shouldn’t have to worry about if you are going to have a working chair at the other side! That wasn’t one thing wrong it was many, time to retrain employees about the seriousness of peoples wheelchairs! And should be discipline actions if not handled with appropriate care!

[@morgancalvi6675]

It's not unacceptable. She did everything wrong and should have been in a manual chair where most of it can come with you on the plane. She's super lucky they said they were going to fix it.

[@KieshaMastrodimosXo]

lady. enough with the accusations. I am a quadriplegic. I cannot go in a manual chair. You are being very disrespectful and I am going to block you, so have a nice life and I wish nothing but peace because clearly you need a lot of it.

[@morgancalvi6675]

@@KieshaMastrodimosXo I'm a quad and an amputee...I was just advicing of how you should go on board safely. I didn't realize you couldn't sit in a manual chair...sorry, my mistake.

[@ght33]

My spouse and I have done dozens of flights. That experience brings a few comments. First every PWD has specific needs so there is no single game right way. Except for the Wheelchair damage you made the trip. My experience… you said it was important that you and you equipment arrive safely. For that reason, your travel companion is not the person to do the transfers. They can coach or give instruction but if they were to get hurt, that would be a disaster for you. Those are very difficult transfers. It is very easy to use your travel companion but it is the airlines responsibility to keep you and them safe. Westjet uses the eagle lift which is not perfect but is better than other options. 2nd note is that you were seated on the window. That means sliding over two seats. I have had heated arguments with Westjet employees that insist on this, telling us it is a saftey regulation. Transport Canada has ruled on this specifically with Westjet that if the PWD requests an Aisle seat then they get one. Any passenger sitting in the other two seats must be informed that should there be an emergency evacuation they will need to climb over. If they say they di not want that condition they must be reseated. If the Airline is unable to find a passenger to sit there the seat goes unoccupied. I appreciate you posting your experience and please take these comments as they are intended, to improve our safety. I would also like to mention that flight attendants are not allowed to assist any passenger except in case of emergency when flying. Also most US airports provide the attendants and equipment for on and off boarding. It is important that it is made clear you require a Two person lift and they have to be strong enough and tall enough to do the lift. When we arrive at the gate to board we inform the check in staff of our need for two people. Tjis can be a really issue, but we cannot compromise on it. Again thanks for sharing. G