The few times that I have been able to fly, this would be my preferred way to travel as it would allow me to enjoy my destination longer. However, every single time I have either been discriminated against, or some other disaster. 

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I have a rare muscle and joint disorder called Arthrogryposis. The joints in my legs are fused to my bone. My leg sticks out a little and I have zero range of motion and cannot bend my knees. Also my hips are fixed and I cannot achieve sitting at a full 90° angle without being in unimaginable pain. My wheelchair seating has a custom molded design to fit me so I can sit comfortably. As of now, Airlines don't let you stay in your wheelchair nor have designated wheelchair lockdowns. Your wheelchair is treated like luggage and stored in the cargo. 

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During takeoff and landing, airlines require you to sit your seat fully up at a 90° angle. Not knowing this prior to boarding, I calmly explained that it would be unbearable for me, but I would do it if we are just ready to take off. The flight attendant was very rude and demanded that I sat my seat up right now, even threatened to kick us off the flight. In unbearable pain, the plane was delayed and I sat there for over an hour and they would not let me recline my seat. We were flying from Minneapolis to Los Angeles on Southwest Airlines, a four hour flight. 

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Upon arriving in Los Angeles, it was raining. Through the window I saw them unload my wheelchair from cargo. It started to pour and they left my electric wheelchair on the tarmac unattended. When they finally brought my wheelchair to the jetway, we turned the power on, and the LCD display flashed, then saw smoke. It was dead. The next 4 hours my friends spent pushing around a 400 pound wheelchair through the airport, to the subway, and then to our hotel.

 

We missed our entire next morning of activities because I had to call every wheelchair repair place.In Los Angeles that would agree to come and take a look and hopefully fix it. At the time it was an older model of an electric wheelchair and the main control box was controlled by fuses.We were able to replace the fuse and get things working again. Southwest Airlines did apologize and upgraded our return flight to 1st class where we ended up flying home with the Black Eyed Peas. The Black Eyed Peas were super friendly and fun to hang out with. However, the experience overall left me sad because there was no empathy about my condition and there was no care in handling my wheelchair. 

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The above example is just one horror story of many, out of the few times that I have flown. 

Now that I am older, my condition is even worse and I have absolutely no range of motion and I don't believe I could get in and out of a regular airline seat anymore. We are committed to finding a way that I can fly again because my ultimate dream is to fly international destinations. I have never been out of the United States and that is the biggest bucket list item I have. If you work for an airline or know of anyone that can help me achieve this dream, please reach out.