Disability Activist Dies After United Damaged Her Custom Wheelchair

Engracia Figueroa, a disability activist, unfortunately, died on October 31 following complications from injuries she got when her custom wheelchair was reportedly damaged by United Airlines.

According to the organisation’s website, Figueroa was coming back from Washington D.C. with her friend Christine Lang after their address at the “Can’t-Wait” event in favour of home care system rights. Figueroa was surprised to learn that United Airlines had wrecked her $30,000 custom wheelchair while transporting it through cargo, forcing her to utilise a regular wheelchair for the duration of the 5-hour flight. “Her attempt to keep her balance in the defective device for that length of time resulted in the development of a pressure sore,” Hand in Hand noted in a statement regarding the event. “When she was finally permitted to come home, she was in excruciating agony and was quickly rushed to the hospital.”

Figueroa’s wheelchair was built to accommodate her “spinal cord injuries and left leg amputation.” “The mobility equipment was deemed critical to her freedom and health,” the charity said. Following the incident, United Airlines first declined to replace the passionate activist’s wheelchair, stating that it could be fixed, but Figueroa continued to battle for the company to accept responsibility. United Airlines eventually agreed to replace Figueroa’s chair entirely. However, throughout her court struggle, the Los Angeles native was forced to utilise a loan chair that did not fulfil her impairments’ demands. It aggravated her pressure sore and caused it to get septic. Figueroa died because of complications after emergency surgery.

“Mobility gadgets operate as an extension of our body.” We become re-disabled when they are damaged or destroyed. “Flying will remain inaccessible until airlines learn to handle our devices with the care and respect they deserve,” Figueroa stated in a series of interviews, according to Newsweek.

The domestic rights activist was a member of Hand in Hand’s California branch and the President of the Board of Communities Actively Living Independent and Free. Figueroa was described as a “joyous, passionate, and innovative leader” by Hand in Hand.

Madelaine Reis, a fellow activist and friend of Figueroa, told USA TODAY that soon before her death, she was planning to begin a campaign with the passionate campaigner to raise awareness about airlines breaking wheelchairs. Figueroa emphasised the hazards of irreversibly destroying wheelchairs in her studies and at conferences. Reis intends to carry on Figueroa’s work.

Following her death, United Airlines made the following statement to USA Today: “We were sorry to learn of Ms Figueroa’s passing and extend our sympathies to her friends and family.”

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. airlines lose or damage on average 29 wheelchairs every single day. In August, United was blamed for ‘mishandling’ 73 wheelchairs.