After American Airlines refused to transport his $60,000 wheelchair, a quadriplegic man took part in the Boston Marathon. He was then left bedridden for 19 hours. The chair was damaged when he returned it.
Matt Wetherbee lost his legs while playing basketball in 2016. He was on his way from Boston to Charlotte with his wife when American Airlines refused to load him his wheelchair due to a lack of space. Matt Wetherbee and Kaitlyn Kiely were told by the crew in Charlotte that they had two options. They could either get off the plane, or move on with the wheelchair which had been damaged at Logan. I can't stay here overnight. I don't have the right supplies or help. This is the only way to get anywhere," Wetherbee informed the Charlotte grounds crew. They refused to take Matts $60,000 chair to make space for it.
This man has dedicated his life to helping others with spinal injuries and shared his story via twitter.
After my chair was damaged on two separate flights by @AmericanAir, Charlotte's ground crew refused to transport it in cargo due to too many other luggage (federal violation). I still don't own the chair 16 hours later. #AmericanAirlines Matt Wetherbee, @MWetherbee September 27, 2021
@AmericanAir This is the only way I can get around. Even if I do get my money back, the damage from previous flights rendered me unable to work in Charlotte. After having spent thousands of dollars on tickets in the last three months, I was offered no credit or anything. Matt Wetherbee (@MWetherbee), September 27, 2021. Ground crews require serious disability training Matt Wetherbee
He was accompanied by his wife who pushed him in a wheelchair for 26.2 miles of 2018's Boston Marathon. In her own account on social media, she explained that the man had to be removed from the plane in his shower chair. He couldn't stay there for more than one hour.
The chair is too heavy for him to move about in and it was damaged when he finally got it back after 19 hours of being bedridden.
American Airlines offers
We are concerned by what you have shared and it doesn't reflect Americans concern for customers. This will be investigated by our team and the customer will be contacted to help him better understand his experience.
It begs the question, if this were to happen if the victim was also a holocaust survivor?
