A well-known incapacity activist has reportedly died from problems related to the lack of her {custom} wheelchair, which was destroyed throughout a United Airways flight.
Engracia Figueroa, 51, was admitted to an ICU unit about two weeks in the past and based on Hand in Hand, a US-wide community advocating for dignified working circumstances, died on Sunday.
United Airways allegedly destroyed hr custom-made wheelchair throughout a flight from Washington DC to California, her house. It was broken within the cargo-hold.
Regardless of having a spinal twine harm and left leg amputation, Ms Figueroa was allegedly compelled to attend 5 hours after touchdown at an airport.
She was supplied with one other wheelchair that Hand in Hand mentioned was “damaged”, and precipitated her discomfort and additional harm.
“When she was lastly in a position to return house, she skilled acute ache, and was admitted to the hospital a number of instances within the subsequent months”, it was alleged.
The substitute wheelchair was mentioned to haven’t supported her again and weight distribution correctly, and “Due to this, she developed a pores and skin ulcer that turned contaminated, and gastrointestinal points that made consuming tough.”
She died of these problems in an ICU on Sunday, in what Hand in Hand mentioned was a “useless loss of life” that had “shocked and enraged” mates of Ms Figueroa.
“This loss ought to by no means have occurred. Whereas we’re reeling from the layers of injustice this tragedy makes seen, we’re holding Engracia’s tenacity and resolve as our guidepost,” the advocacy community mentioned.
Ms Figueroa, in an interview with ABC7 Information in August, mentioned she feared flying as a result of her custom-made wheelchair was an “extension” of her physique.
“We at all times hope that once we offer you this extension of our physique, that you will give it again to us in the identical means,” mentioned the activist of disabled passengers. “It’s mainly seeing your entire life ripped from you, and being re-disabled over again”.
Based on figures from the US Division of Transportation, airways on common mishandle about 10,500 mobility gadgets annyually, amounting to nearly 30 a day.
Performing beneath the Air Provider Entry Act, United Airways agreed to totally exchange Ms Figueroa’s wheelchair, which was valued at $30,000 (£22,320).
Hand in Hand mentioned that “the months through which they fought towards the substitute took a toll on her physique”, though United Airways has mentioned beforehand that it was working to repair the wheelchair as “shortly as potential”.
The Impartial has approached United Airways for remark.