Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2018 7:13:04 GMT 7
Northern Rail tried to remove a disabled woman from a train , just because she had a mobility scooter.
“This is why I don’t like to leave the house,” says the 31-year-old blogger and disability activist known as Agony Autie, towards the end of her soon-to-be viral Facebook Live video. She was on board a Northern Rail train on her way to a wedding, when a guard told her she had to leave – all because she had a mobility scooter.
Agony Autie, who has autism and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, is visibly shaken in the shocking video and later explains to the guard that she is having a panic attack. Despite explaining that she is disabled and has recently had surgery, the guard continues to insist she leave the train, saying motorised scooters are not allowed on any trains. As is clear in the video, Agony Autie’s scooter is folded away and not in the way of any passengers.
“This is what it’s like to live as a disabled person,” says the activist, halfway through the video. “This is why when I leave the house I have anxiety, I’m an absolute nervous, anxious wreck. I can’t leave the house without the fret of this happening.”
In the video, Agony Autie explains that she had told Northern Rail every stop she'd be passing – a preparation lots of disabled people will be familiar with, as it is often necessary to book assistance ahead of time. However, the guard still refused to start the journey with the mobility scooter on board.
According to the Northern Rail website, mobility scooters are only allowed on trains if “they are able to be folded down before you board, and carried on like luggage”. As is clear in the video, Agony Autie’s scooter is folded away and not in the way of any passengers.
Eventually, after a 15-minute delay, the train pulls away after the guard gives up and Agony Autie turns to her fellow passengers to thank them for their support. “I really want to say thank you. I really needed help, so thank you for your patience and support. You’ve restored my faith in humanity.”
In response, Northern Rail said, "We are aware of the incident and investigating to understand what has happened. We are sorry for this unfortunate incident."
www.the-pool.com/news-views/latest-news/2018/31/Northern-Rail-tried-to-remove-a-disabled-woman-from-a-train
“This is why I don’t like to leave the house,” says the 31-year-old blogger and disability activist known as Agony Autie, towards the end of her soon-to-be viral Facebook Live video. She was on board a Northern Rail train on her way to a wedding, when a guard told her she had to leave – all because she had a mobility scooter.
Agony Autie, who has autism and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, is visibly shaken in the shocking video and later explains to the guard that she is having a panic attack. Despite explaining that she is disabled and has recently had surgery, the guard continues to insist she leave the train, saying motorised scooters are not allowed on any trains. As is clear in the video, Agony Autie’s scooter is folded away and not in the way of any passengers.
“This is what it’s like to live as a disabled person,” says the activist, halfway through the video. “This is why when I leave the house I have anxiety, I’m an absolute nervous, anxious wreck. I can’t leave the house without the fret of this happening.”
In the video, Agony Autie explains that she had told Northern Rail every stop she'd be passing – a preparation lots of disabled people will be familiar with, as it is often necessary to book assistance ahead of time. However, the guard still refused to start the journey with the mobility scooter on board.
According to the Northern Rail website, mobility scooters are only allowed on trains if “they are able to be folded down before you board, and carried on like luggage”. As is clear in the video, Agony Autie’s scooter is folded away and not in the way of any passengers.
Eventually, after a 15-minute delay, the train pulls away after the guard gives up and Agony Autie turns to her fellow passengers to thank them for their support. “I really want to say thank you. I really needed help, so thank you for your patience and support. You’ve restored my faith in humanity.”
In response, Northern Rail said, "We are aware of the incident and investigating to understand what has happened. We are sorry for this unfortunate incident."
www.the-pool.com/news-views/latest-news/2018/31/Northern-Rail-tried-to-remove-a-disabled-woman-from-a-train
