Georgina has MS and needs adjustments to help her travel
A disabled woman says she was threatened with the police when she asked for help at the airport in Gran Canaria. Georgina Colman, founder of the disability discount platform Purpl, says she had excellent support at Gatwick and on her flight – but was left humiliated and stressed in Spain.
Georgina said her experience flying back from Gran Canaria on June 1 left her feeling humiliated, dismissed, and stressed — all for requesting the most basic of adjustments.
She said: “I’d had a lovely trip, but as we were heading home, things quickly changed. At Gatwick on the way out, I was treated brilliantly; the staff listened, helped, and gave me time to board first so I could walk to the back of the plane, where there were two toilets instead of only one at the front. Due to my MS, I need to use the toilet more frequently and require quick, unimpeded access.”
In contrast, the experience in Gran Canaria was deeply upsetting.
“When we got to the gate, the man at the desk said we had to wait for assistance to push my wheelchair — in case I fell out. I understand that health and safety rules differ abroad, but it was the way he made me feel that escalated the situation. He was rude, dismissive, and refused to listen. When my husband asked to speak to a manager, he said, ‘No, but I can call the police.’ It was mortifying.”
Georgina had hoped simply to board early, not because she’s a full-time wheelchair user, but because she walks slowly and unsteadily, and needs to hold onto seatbacks for support.
“The thought of walking down the aisle while hundreds of people scrambled to put luggage away, all while watching me, was incredibly stressful — and frankly, more of a health and safety issue than letting me on early.”
Eventually, a member of the assistance team was found, and they immediately took Georgina straight to the front of the queue.
“If only the man at the desk had explained that was the plan, rather than speaking over me and ignoring my needs, the whole experience would have been far less emotional and distressing.”
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Georgina has experienced such treatment while travelling.
“In 2022, I flew to France with my husband, and a similar thing happened. We were just 15 feet from the gate to the plane door when a staff member insisted we wait for assistance, even though my husband had already supported me through the airport. I just needed to board early to avoid being jostled. Instead, I was spoken about rather than to. It was like I didn’t exist.”
And it’s not just flying.
“In 2017, I travelled to Herm Island. It was my first time in a wheelchair, and while it was our mistake not doing research, no one mentioned that the island wasn’t accessible when we boarded the boat. Once we arrived, we encountered every terrain imaginable — gravel, mud, sand, steep slopes — and had to ask strangers for help just to reach the beach. I made it, but it took sheer determination.
“Every journey takes planning. Every barrier is a reminder that you’re not being seen. Disabled people deserve joy, dignity and spontaneity too — travel shouldn’t feel like a fight for basic respect.”
New research found that four in five disabled people feel they have been discriminated against, and 94% feel scared to travel. R esearch conducted by Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks found 95% feel there is insufficient support for them when travelling.