A paraplegic athlete named Justin Levene was unable to walk after suffering a herniated disc and nerve damage as he collapsed while coughing two days before his 21st birthday.
But, he didn’t let his disability to prevent him to fulfill his dreams and has competed as an international wheelchair athlete.
He dragged himself through Luton Airport after his wheelchair was left on a flight. Now, he is suing the airport, who only offered to push him through themselves.
Justin said that the airport’s offer would have meant he was strapped down and unable to adjust himself.
He decided to sue the airport as he was denied independence by their offer of transporting him, and their actions were therefore discriminatory.
He told the BBC: ‘’I was angry that none of the staff seemed to understand the position or seemed to have any empathy for what was happening.’’
A spokesman for Luton Airport said: ‘’On discovering that Mr Levene’s flight from Croatia had arrived without his wheelchair, in August 2017, our teams worked hard to find a solution, offering Mr Levene an assisted wheelchair as a temporary replacement.’’
‘’Mr Levene declined all offers of help as he deemed them unacceptable.’’
‘’Whilst we apologize if Mr Levene was dissatisfied with the service he received, we are satisfied that our agents and staff did all they could in difficult circumstances.’’