Life with a wheelchair is already difficult. Wheelchair users worldwide have consistently raised concerns about accessibility and inclusivity for people with wheelchairs in public places, which should be a fundamental right. Unfortunately, there are often incidents where we fail to empathize and recognize the importance of accessibility. People with wheelchairs deserve to live with dignity, just like every other human being.
To raise voices against the challenges faced by wheelchair users, 26-year-old Canadian travel blogger and digital creator Tori Hunter has been actively using her social media handles to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She is on a mission to inspire others to live life to the fullest without feeling restricted by their physical limitations. However, recently, the travel blogger shared a negative experience of her own, sparking debates on the internet and leading to criticism from many online users.
Travel Blogger Tori Hunter Shared Bad Experience Traveling With Wheelchair
The 26-year-old Canadian adventurer, who consistently films her travels to inspire others on social media, recently described a 'terrifying' experience flying to Costa Rica in a wheelchair. Hunter shared a video of her being carried off by airport staff and crew members to disembark from the plane as she was manually carried by staff members who precariously lifted her with her wheelchair while her father held her neck as she could be seen visibly in distress.
In the caption, Hunter shared: "The individuals who were sent to help me disembark this plane likely had very little training on how to do so; they kept having to place the chair down from not having the correct grip, and they were holding the chair completely sideways."
Hunter went on to describe how the front wheels of her wheelchair were 'busted'; and how she disembarked the flight of plane stairs in a damaged aisle chair with no armrests or straps to keep her body in place. Hunter conveyed her ordeal, saying she had never felt so 'disconnected and out of control from her own body' and that she felt in danger.
Criticising the flying inconvenience and services, Hunter also detailed how she informed the airport about her condition several months in advance and was never told that every passenger, including her, with special needs would have to disembark the aircraft without any jet bridges, which the airport was using for other flights but did not provide to Hunter. The young traveller has spinal muscular atrophy, a neuromuscular condition which restricts her ability to move as she has very little neck movement ability and uses an electric wheelchair for mobility.
Not letting these challenges simmer her high spirits Hunter on the experience said "I hope this process is something I never have to experience again, I love travelling and I’ll never let it stop me from experiencing the world."
As Hunter raised a voice against the shortcomings in the infrastructure of Costa Rica airport of accessibility for wheelchair travellers on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, she simply intended to raise awareness about the hurdles faced by travellers with disabilities.
However, Hunter's personal experience post on her social media page garnered a lot of internet attention with many sympathising and supporting Hunter's step to voice for accessibility and inclusivity rights of travellers with special conditions, many criticised Hunter for being 'Ungrateful' and 'complaining' as a comment on her post read: "Has an entire team of people helping, still unsatisfied" while many questioned why she has a problem when she 'got off the plane safely.'
Many support Hunter, the famous singer SZA commented: "These comments are mean... I'm so hurt for her" while others explained in the comment section how everyone deserves to live with dignity, especially the specially-abled people as a comment read: "She can't control her disability. This is clearly extremely embarrassing for her and I understand where she's coming from." Another comment backed her, explaining: "Her commentary is not targeted at the people helping, it’s about how the infrastructure is not in place for those with physical challenges."
Despite the reaction and trolling, Hunter's story is remarkable because it shows how the young woman, despite her physical limitations, overcomes challenges and chooses to live life to the fullest, urging others not to let life suppress them while employing her platform to voice and inspire others.
Watch here:
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