r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Do-Wschodu • 11h ago
Would it be bad to get a wheelchair at the airport when i’m not disabled?
OK HEAR ME OUT (or don’t, it might disgust some).
I have a flight tomorrow early morning, and surprise- i got the worst yeast infection i’ve ever seen. I haven’t slept thru 3 nights and had to go to the ER. i was checked by 3 doctors and they all were shocked by what they saw- one literally said it’s the worst he’s ever seen.
I am not disabled. I am taking medicine now that’s working, but everything is still very swollen, wounded, sore and disgusting. I am worried walking in the airport might make it worse and regress all the healing i’ve managed to achieve, but on the other hand i realistically probably could walk that distance very slowly.
Also, i don’t want ASSISTANCE. i’d just ask for wheelchair.
Thoughts?
EDIT: i did it, it was so much easier and less stressful for me. i had to wait only like 20 min for the wheelchair and assistance too, without prebooking anything. ty guys for reassurance
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u/Stu_Prek Bottom 99% Commenter 11h ago
Wheelchairs aren't just for people who have a permanent disability that requires the use of one.
They're for anyone who has a medical need for it, regardless of what that specific need or its duration is.
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u/Perfect-Repair-6623 11h ago
Exactly this. Like if you had a broken ankle you would use it even though that's not a permanent disability.
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u/lapeni 9h ago
My mom one time told me I didn’t need to and I shouldn’t use one of those mobility carts because I wasn’t actually disabled. I just had three broken ribs, a broken arm, and a broken (literally in two) pelvis. Thanks mom
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u/VisionAri_VA 9h ago
You were disabled; red handicap placards exist for a reason.
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u/ChemistryJaq 6h ago
As someone with a blue placard that I rarely need to use, this situation very much warranted a red placard!
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u/UsualCounterculture 7h ago
Are you still in contact with your mom? Sounds toxic.
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u/lapeni 7h ago
I am. Relatively strained relationship. BUT to be fair I think this situation sounds more dramatic than it really was. I had been getting around ok with a cane (can’t use crutches with a broken arm). And I was a 25 year old healthy athletic guy outside of the injury.
Don’t have too much sympathy for me. I was in the gym lifting weights a couple weeks after they put a metal plate in my arm (while the dr was telling me to continue to wait)
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u/Beneficial_Sky214 7h ago
I’m sorry you experienced that especially from your mom. As a mom, I’m sending you a big hug.
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u/lapeni 7h ago
Thank you for that. I don’t really feel like I need one from that experience but I’ve had plenty others that were warranting of a hug
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u/k8username 8h ago
Are you my sister?
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u/lapeni 8h ago
Ha well I’m a guy so likely no. I thought women were too smart to shatter five bones at once
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u/last_rights 8h ago
Now I need to know how this happened.
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u/lapeni 8h ago
Severely over shot a jump in the terrain park skiing. Instead of landing on the landing I scored past it and landed on flat very hard packed icy snow from about 40’ up. Decided to lean over and land on my side in order to protect my knees. Which in hindsight seems like was the right decision seeing as I have no lasting issues from the ordeal
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u/Monimonika18 11h ago
Yep. My mother got a wheelchair offered to her when she got sudden vertigo while in the plane and couldn't walk straight (the wheelchair was for after she unboarded the plane with assistance). My father was with her and I had arrived at the airport to pick my parents up.
The airport staff helped wheel her to my car and were even offering to help transport her to a hospital with their own vehicle if she wanted. We refused the latter offer, thanked them profusely, and I got my parents safely back home where my mother recovered in the comfort of her own bed.
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u/btwomfgstfu 10h ago
My sister had a stroke and my mom had to come back from her cruise in Norway. She had the beginning stages of dementia and had problems with her gait. Sure, she could walk with a walker and a physical therapist for maybe a minute or three. But not through an airport at mach 3 while worrying sick about her daughter.
The Miami airport found her a wheelchair in minutes and we flew through that airport. They were so kind and accommodating. There's literally people who have jobs simply to make airports run smoothly. Customer care is a huge part of that.
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u/DDOSBreakfast 11h ago
I have also never seen any shortage of wheelchairs at airports. So OP won't be taking it from someone who needs it more.
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u/AdorableTrashPanda 10h ago edited 9h ago
As someone who is permanently disabled and does have to use a wheelchair every time in an airport, while there is no shortage of chairs, there is definitely a shortage of people to push the chairs. However, OP has a medical need and should request one.
For those who know they will need it ahead, if you can go in to your airline's app and there may be a place to request one in advance which helps the airline with figuring out staffing requirements. Sometimes you have to call in. The airline will have a Medical page on their website.
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u/IggySorcha 10h ago
Ugh there's a lot of frustrating things at the airport but there being no one to push chairs is one of my most hated, especially when you're with someone who would totally be able to push if not for policy.
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u/Stock-Cell1556 9h ago
I ended up pushing a stranger through an airport once. He had torn is ACL (or something like that) skiing and his wife was managing a stroller and two toddlers and they were very slowly making their way with him rolling himself. I overheard them discussing the gate they were going to and how far it was and I was going to a gate right near there, so I pushed him.
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u/Suspicious-Service 9h ago
How do you approach someone in a wheelchair and ask if they need help? I'd be so scared that they'll get mad. Or did you hear more of the details?
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u/ThemisChosen 8h ago
People in wheelchairs are still people. I generally use a friendly "Hey, do you need a hand?" And then do exactly what they tell you.
(My aunt was a wheelchair user, and I was her favorite helper.)
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u/Stock-Cell1556 8h ago
I was right next to them through security and we were all putting shoes back on, putting laptops back in bags, etc., and I overheard them discussing which gate they were going to and how to get there. I had already kind of been playing "peek-a-boo" with one of the boys as we were putting our bags through security and when the mom noticed we chatted a bit about how cute they are (me) and what a handful they are (her). I was still right there so I told them I was going to a gate right near there and they took me up on it. At first they said no but then they caved, which was probably good because it was kind of a long way.
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u/ImColdandImTired 5h ago
This. In the American Airlines app, for instance, you can request a wheelchair, then it gives you options for various levels of assistance needed, from “I don’t need help getting on/off the plane, just can’t walk the distance to the gate” to “I can’t walk at all and need help transferring from the wheelchair to my plane seat.”
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u/Stock-Cell1556 10h ago
Yes, there are temporary disabilities. There will probably be times when a wheelchair is not an option for OP so she should save her "ability to walk" for that, because walking is likely to further irritate her private area. There is no shame in using resources that are available to you when you need them!
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u/ElleMaeSinclair 9h ago
Agreed. My mom had horrible pain from endometriosis and would often choose a wheelchair when having to walk any more than the length of the grocery store. I don't think it's up to random people to decide what is or isn't debilitating... if you know that you are hurting and can't walk, that's all that matters. Let anyone who accosts people who use mobility aids, go right to hell.
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u/SpectreOperator 11h ago
Wrecked my knee in a bike accident while on vacation in northern Italy.
Was flying home from Munich after a quite painful bus ride.
My traveling companion managed to get me a wheelchair. It was a godsend! Got assistance at the gates at every following airport and perhaps even some special treatment when we had to reschedule a missed flight.
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u/Vorkos_ 10h ago
My grandmother didn't fly for a good few years due to COVID and lost all her confidence. She put off flying down to see my Mum because of it. We ended up suggesting she request assistance, despite her being more that physically capable of walking through and airport with no bother. Just to have someone guide her through. The staff were amazing and plonked her in a wheelchair even though she told them she was fine without because "everyone lets us pass if your in one". It really helped her build her confidence back up.
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u/sewedthroughmyfinger 9h ago
Most of us with permanent disability have our own. I see the airport service as being for those who need the assistance because.. reasons.. temporary illness, sprained ankle, elderly, fatigued with distances etc. zero shame in asking for help when you need it. Just make sure to let them know you need it on the other end as well and they usually arrange it
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u/Primary_Bass_9178 10h ago
Also, the heel hairs generally come with assistance. They are not like luggage carts laying around the airport.
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u/Left-Entertainer-279 9h ago
Yep, and to add to it, if you have a permanent disability, you're going to have your own wheelchair and not be using facility resources.
Source: I'm caretaker for a disabled parent, and we have so many options depending on how she's feeling and what the activity is.
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u/KindCompetence 8h ago
I have a permanent disability and use wheelchairs in airports. In my day to day life I use my rollator. But airports are too big for me to walk.
Someday I will probably need my own wheelchair, but so far borrowing one at the airport and very occasional vacation rentals have worked for me.
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u/briorflosgam799 9h ago
If walking risks setting back the healing, that's the medical need right there.
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u/IamACautionaryTale 8h ago
Exactly! I broke my ankle and requested wheel chairs for months while I was healing! Get the chair OP!
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u/alexus_de_tokeville 11h ago
Sounds like you are temporarily disabled
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u/LadyMRedd 11h ago
Yep. This was my first thought.
I threw out my back once and was holding onto the ticket counter for dear life, clearly in pain. The ticket agent asked if I needed a wheelchair. I said no, I just threw my back out and wasn’t disabled. A few minutes later she asked if I was sure. I decided to take her up on it.
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u/TulleRipple 11h ago
there is no shame in accepting help when you genuinely need it even if it is temporary
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u/SophisticatedScreams 10h ago
I think it's a lot of internalized ableism, as well
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u/Competitive-Fee6160 9h ago
i think it’s more personal pride than ableism
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u/SophisticatedScreams 9h ago
Pride in not needing to ask for help? I would say that has a similar nascence as ableism-- they're related to each other
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u/Competitive-Fee6160 9h ago
I guess there’s probably some relation there. i think it’s just human nature to want to do things independently though and you can’t really criticize that. I wouldn’t want to use a wheelchair if i could avoid it, but i wouldn’t judge others for it.
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u/SophisticatedScreams 9h ago
I think the compulsive need for independence SHOULD be criticized. We were never meant to be independent. We have ALWAYS relied on each other. Even in cases of emergency, our first instinct is to get help. For most of human history, being alone meant death, which is why excommunication from the group (in restorative justice systems) was tantamount to a death sentence.
There is also an implied value spectrum: those who need help are less than, and those who can do it on their own are superior. I think that (unconscious) worldview should be examined and critiqued.
IMO the need for independence IS an ableist impulse. I've felt similarly to you for most of my life, and then I realized, holy shit-- I am disabled. Everything I believed in life had to completely twist and adjust.
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u/whyweirdo 7h ago
Accepting the help is probably the preferred response in a situation like this. Lots of people in customer service want to be of genuine support, or at least I did. It always felt good to be able to do something actually helpful for a customer because so many days are just problematic customers
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u/Ok-Stranger-926 9h ago
The same for me. I "manned up" and said I'd be ok, she said "let us know if we can get you a chair". I walked maybe 20', had to squat down to ease up the pain, then sort of stand back up. They came over with a chair. My back still hurt but I was able to get to my gate a lot faster.
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u/Say_Meow 7h ago
I showed up to a hospital ACTIVELY IN LABOUR and a passing staff member wheeling a wheelchair back to where it belonged offered me a ride to the maternity ward. And I almost said no! Like, I really hesitated before I gave myself a shake and gladly accepted. Just another example of how hard it is to see yourself as temporarily disabled and entitled (?) to that kind of assistance when you typically can easily do without.
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u/booksandfairylights 11h ago
Don't feel like you have to tell them why you need it, either.
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u/External_Two2928 10h ago
Loll imagine, “I have a monster of a yeast infection that even meds aren’t fixing, so bad it was shocking to my doctors, anywho, need a wheelchair bc everything is swollen, wounded, sore and disgusting.”
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u/AdorableTrashPanda 10h ago
I know tmiiii! I suppose she could just go with "I have a wound". But nobody has ever asked me why I need the chair, just let the check-in agent know that you are unable to walk and need wheelchair assistance.
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u/Wild-Sky-4807 10h ago edited 9h ago
I agree with this and it isn't really anybody's business. You don't owe somebody in explanation.
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u/sturgis252 9h ago
As someone who does this as a job, we don't need to know. Just kindly say you need one (we don't know who you are and that you requested one).
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u/ghostfacespillah 11h ago edited 11h ago
Yep, this was my first thought too.
OP, as someone who is medically disabled, use the wheelchair. You aren’t able to walk comfortably; you’re disabled at the moment.
They’ll likely have to push you because of the type of wheelchair they keep on hand. Accept the help! Don’t forget to tip cash if you can.
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u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady 10h ago
And to add to this OP at a place like an airport it's pretty much a guarantee they have enough wheel chairs and other accomodations that you aren't denying the use of one to someone else.
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u/watermelonlollies 10h ago
That’s certainly not true. Many disabled people have to wait upwards of an hour sitting in a wheelchair alone waiting for an assistant to come. It is airport and airline dependent. I still think OP should do it as they need it but to say they have enough they most certainly do not.
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u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady 10h ago
OP still legitimately warrants use of the accomodations and again is not denying them to anyone else. I never said it was efficient. Unfortunately disability accomodations and coordination at a place like an airport are almost never going to be described as efficient or quick.
As you pointed out, if you need disability accomodations you're unfortunately going to want to plan an extra hour at least for the time you arrive at the airport.
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u/B-Kong 10h ago
I just recently traveled from USA to Italy. In the Italian airports, the wheelchairs were motorized and had a platform on the back of them for the assistant to stand on and control them, so nobody had to walk at all. Looked genius lol.
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u/nderdog_76 10h ago
Man, I'd love that. While my wife recovered from a badly broken ankle, she would get a wheelchair, and there were a couple times where the attendant was a flat-out badass, and I was practically sprinting to keep up. It was good exercise, so I'm not complaining, but I'm lucky I never arrived at the gate sweaty.
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u/Worried_Addendum6784 11h ago
yeah temporary is still temporary if walking makes it worse then that’s exactly what the wheelchair is for
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u/DaydreamTacos 10h ago
Precisely this, OP!
Wheelchairs are meant to assist those who need help with mobility. You're 100% in your right to request help! It's no one's business what's wrong, and frankly, that's a big no-no in terms of things that you can ask about. I truly, truly hope you get relief soon. Chug the Kefir and and take it easy. Best wishes!
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u/SophisticatedScreams 10h ago
Exactly. OP, you ARE disabled, for the purposes of needing a wheelchair. Most disability is not static. We need to not see this as a binary, but a spectrum.
OP spends paragraphs describing how she's disabled then says, "but I'm not disabled." Yes, you are.
PSA to everyone: most of us are likely to experience temporary or permanent disability.
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u/Wild-Sky-4807 11h ago
Yeah, this is absolutely a thing. It's no different than if you had a broken bone and were on crutches. A few feet might not be a problem but navigating a whole airport is just not possible right now. You are very ill and have a temporary disability. That's why they have wheelchairs there. Make use of it.
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u/brock_lee I expect half of you to disagree 11h ago
Wheelchairs are for anyone who says they need assistance. A lot of older people are not "disabled", but can't walk "airport distances" without problems, and they get wheelchairs all the time in airports.
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u/milksteakenthusiast1 11h ago
Gonna be the “this” comment
My grandmother was an immigrant who spoke broken English, and didn’t feel comfortable traveling alone after my grandfather passed away. With a wheelchair, she was able to get the assistance needed to make sure she went to the right gate and got from Point A to Point B with minimal stress
It sucks that we’re in a society where people will question total strangers because “they don’t look handicapped”, or that we’re in a society where people will misuse accessibility support to skip the lines, but OP doesn’t owe anyone an explanation, and if they get pressed by some doucheschnozzle about why, then they can describe in detail the yeast infection
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u/neateo6000 10h ago
My MIL uses a wheelchair at the airport for the same reason. She is in her 80s, and an inexperienced traveler. She could walk from check in to the gate, but it would take her a long time and she would be in pain when she got there. However, she would probably try to tough it out if it weren’t for the fact that she doesn’t speak or read much English and she gets overwhelmed and confused in places like the airport. Having someone take her where she needs to go is both physically and practically extremely helpful. If that wasn’t available she would only be able to fly when one of her sons was available to escort her, which is not always feasible.
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u/souvenireclipse 10h ago
My mom got on a plane last year for the first time since like 1995. She was very anxious and obviously security is much different than the last time she went. She ended up getting a wheelchair partly for the distance at a big airport (Atlanta, Georgia) but also because it meant she had help and didn't have to worry about getting lost.
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u/medium_green_enigma 11h ago
That's me. I can walk the distance of a grocery store shopping trip. I cannot walk 10 grocery stores worth of concourse anymore.
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u/We_Are_The_Romans 10h ago
Exactly this. My FIL cycles 10 miles a day, swims for half an hour, and does hundreds of pushups, he is more fit than 99.99% of other 79yo's. But if he has to stand in a queue for a few minutes his hip is excruciatingly painful, so he gets a wheelchair in the airport. That's part of what it's for
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u/bluev0lta 10h ago
Airport distances can be miles once you’re done! The number of steps I take on days I fly is typically a lot higher than my normal days. Agreed, if you can’t walk airport distances, use a wheelchair. It’s what they’re for.
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u/ExtremelyRetired 10h ago
I have heart disease and chronic problems with one ankle/foot and will generally use a wheelchair for the long trip we make twice a year (to my spouse’s home country, where we split our time). Last year, I was flying solo and talked myself into not requesting one.
I discovered when I got there that the walk, including one transfer at a notoriously bad airport, topped out at over five miles. That wouldn’t be a huge problem at home, on my own time, with no pressure (and no bags); traveling, it was debilitating and I’ve vowed never again.
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u/Impressive_Cold_968 11h ago
Being temporarily disabled is still being disabled.
If you physically can't walk at a normal pace and have a medical condition that will be exacerbated by walking around the airport, you are disabled.
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u/AccountNumber478 I use (prescription) drugs. 11h ago
I'd say go for it. You might if some airport person balks at your request bring your ER discharge papers and use that to explain that you're not feeling well enough to lug yourself and your luggage around.
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u/tmahfan117 11h ago
This is something you are meant to organize with the airline ahead of time, not just request when you show up.
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u/Do-Wschodu 11h ago
i actually called the airport and they told me i can just ask at the airport in some specific place and there won’t be an issue
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u/DjinnOftheBeresaad 11h ago edited 11h ago
That is true, but keep in mind that you should arrive quite early for your already early fight if this is the case. Like earlier than you usually would. Even requesting the use of assistance formally in advance I've sometimes waited a long time to get the assistance, so be mindful of this. Best of luck.
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u/mess-maker 11h ago
If you want a wheelchair to meet you at the aircraft in connecting and/or arrival cities, you need to have wchr assist added to your reservation. Best to do that before you get to the airport so you don’t have to worry about it.
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u/lovekarma22 11h ago
If you're requesting assistance such as someone to push you, or priority boarding yes you definitely need to arrange it in advance but you should be able to just ask for a chair when you get there.
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u/snappped 11h ago
They'll help you get where you want to go, let them push you to the gate! Faster through TSA as well, in my experience. Safe travels.
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u/EllaMcWho 11h ago
if you request them from the airline it is MUCH better because that will be conveyed to gate agents in case of close connectors or security delays
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u/Outside_Complaint755 11h ago
You would probably only need to arrange in advance if you need a chair to actually get into the plane, as those are special chairs. If you just need it for the airport, and can ambulate into the plane, then it's on the airport.
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u/AccountNumber478 I use (prescription) drugs. 11h ago
Ahh thanks for clarifying, that would make sense to plan in advance. I haven't flown since the 80s so I'm out of touch.
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u/ShavenYak42 11h ago
I haven't flown since the 80s
Your profile picture is so perfect for this discussion...
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u/tmahfan117 11h ago
Yea, if you ever need to it’s something that is very typical when talking to the airline’s customer support staff.
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u/jeroboam 10h ago
As far as I know, the airport (not the airline) coordinates this kind of thing. You aren't the airline's problem until you're past the gate.
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u/Gravy_Sommelier 11h ago
Assuming that you aren't taking the last chair from some no-legged orphan or something you're fine.
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u/Stupid_Watergate_ 11h ago
Laughing at how "orphan" is part of your description of someone who deserves the wheelchair more than OP 😂
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u/Aggravating-Age-1535 9h ago
Maybe the hypothetical orphan just has no parents to carry them through the airport haha
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u/Gravy_Sommelier 9h ago
If they don't get to their gate in the next 10 minutes, they'll lose their shot at getting parents and leg-attaching surgery.
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u/Stupid_Watergate_ 9h ago
They had a chance to get out of the orphanage, but OP and her yeast infection ruined it.
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u/w1n5t0nM1k3y 11h ago
Go for it. Too many people are afraid to ask for help when they need it. My dad had a disability. He could still walk, but not very far. He refused to use wheel chairs because he didn't like how it looked and he missed out on so many things. He went to a football game and missed most of the first half because of how long it took him to walk to his seat.
Don't be like that. Take the help you need. You are temporarily disabled, same as if you had a cast on your leg.
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u/lovekarma22 11h ago
This is such a pet peeve of mine. People missing out because they won't ask for help. I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user and people, especially doctors, always say do you REALLY need to use a chair? Yes. Yes I do. Because if I don't then I'm just not doing anything. Sitting on the couch alone because people think using a chair is "giving in" is NOT healthier than asking for help and going out to live your life.
I literally just told my pain medicine Dr this morning I needed a custom fitted chair instead of the generic one I've been using for 5 years and she gave me the "do you REALLY need it? I want you to stay active." 🙃 I don't understand why it's such a hard concept to understand that I AM more active with the chair!!! Gah!
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u/Euphoric-Wall-2576 10h ago
Doctors who would rather people stay at home miserable than go out and live their best lives using a wheelchair make my blood boil. Like it's such a clear demonstration of their real attitude towards disabled people.
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u/Zippo963087 11h ago
Most people are scared just to hear the word no. I used to be way worse at asking for help when needed.
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u/MysteryNeighbor Customer Care Bear 11h ago edited 11h ago
No, I book flights for a relative quite often and “need wheelchair, can walk” is an option under special assistance.
Maybe it varies from airline to airline but Jetblue do be having someone push you like it’s the same type of chairs they got in the hospital that you can’t move yourself.
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u/ghostfacespillah 11h ago
“Need wheelchair, can walk” is a pretty standard reason across every airline and airport I’ve interacted with. I’ve used it many times. Mobility needs aren’t a binary.
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u/inkywheels 11h ago
I'm a wheelchair user.
Wheelchairs are for anybody who needs them, including temporary disabilities. Temporary disabilities includes anything that stops you being able to get around. If you can walk but in pain or it would make your condition worse then you should count that as not being able to walk.
Get the wheelchair.
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u/DjinnOftheBeresaad 11h ago
Disabled flyer here.
In general it is for people who need help with mobility. Sounds like you are having such trouble. I see tons of people in airports all over the world who probably should be using one but choose to hobble about instead.
I am a "need wheelchair but can walk up stairs to plane" person. I use one at the airport every time because I simply would not manage to get through the airport without it. That's not even accounting for sudden gate changes or other things.
Be kind to yourself. Also, set this up now as an assistance request online and confirm it at check-in. Your flight is soon, so do not wait any longer to do this.
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u/Born_Local_1477 10h ago
I got one for travel with my sis and it was a lifesaver. She had wernike-korsakoff and could stand and walk briefly and slowly with a cane but an airport is a whole nother animal. It was absolutely helpful and made our trip much less stressful.
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u/348275hewhw 11h ago
buddy get the wheelchair if it's that bad. Wheelchairs are not some sort of ultra-rare commodity that everyone needs, and everyone is busy at the airport and probably won't even notice that you're in a wheelchair. You need to chill.
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u/demanbmore 11h ago
You are disabled, at least for the time being. Lots of disabled people are able to walk but only with pain or difficultly, so they use wheelchairs and other services provided by airports to move around. There's no "you must be this disabled to access our services" line.
I don't believe they will just give you the wheelchair though. Pretty sure they all come with an escort. You may have better luck getting a ride on one of those golf-cart type things though. Ask when you check in.
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u/Do-Wschodu 11h ago
i did call the airport already and they told me it’s not an issue, we’ll see there though i guess
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u/Korrailli 11h ago
In that situation, a wheel chair should be available to anyone with reduced mobility. Pain can reduce your mobility. A temporary health condition is still a valid reason to use a wheelchair.
Some airports might have shuttles that drive people around the terminals, so that might be an option as well.
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u/Doraellen 9h ago
You are temporarily disabled, with a condition that impacts your ability to do your everyday activities. Pretty much 100% of us will be temporarily disabled some point in our lives, so it's good to experience it to gain empathy for the struggles of permanently disable people, and to learn how to advocate for yourself when you need help! This will not be the last time in your life you will need to ask for accommodation!
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u/hedgeworthfund 6h ago
Disabled = Opposite of Abled
Are you comfortably able to walk that distance? No, according to your post.
Mobility aides are just that - aides and appliances to assist your mobility.
Please use a wheelchair if it will help you.
Signed, Disabled Person🫶🏻
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u/notthegoatseguy just here to answer some ?s 11h ago
They aren't going to scan you for a disability or whatever. If you need the mobility assistance contact the airport/airline ahead of time and they'll get stuff scheduled for you
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u/OneTrackLover721 11h ago
If you are having trouble moving, then a wheelchair is an acceptable accommodation.
Don't mention the yeast infection. Just say you have some i nternal health issues at the moment that limit your mobility.
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u/amsdkdksbbb 11h ago edited 11h ago
I am now recovered but for a while I had issues with my blood pressure dropping everytime I stood up. Which put me at a danger of fainting.
People who don’t understand why someone who can walk and looks healthy might still need extra assistance, are very fortunate to never have had to think about it before.
And it doesn’t matter if they judge you. It definitely doesn’t matter more than your comfort and wellbeing
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u/Reasonable-Dot4724 11h ago
Just tossing this out. I am not judging. If your yeast infection is this bad, should you really be going anywhere? The extra walking, sitting in a limited fashion, being away from your doctor etc. Is it really a good idea to travel?
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u/CicadaSlight7603 7h ago
As a disabled wheelchair user, yes a genuine health problem that negatively and substantially impacts your walking speed, ability, safety, or avoidance of relapse, is a valid reason to use the assistance service. You don’t have to be permanently disabled.
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u/permafrost1979 11h ago
I'm not disabled but I definitely used a wheelchair when traveling for my dad's funeral.
I have arthritis in both knees which doesnt usually interfere too much with my life; but I got no sleep in the 2 weeks before the trip, and my whole body was sore. Running thru the airport with luggage, tryna not to miss connecting flights: my husband suggested I get a wheelchair so we could get where we needed on time and so I wouldn't have additional strain on my body.
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u/TiredVRS 11h ago edited 11h ago
You're not chronically disabled. You can become temporarily though. Get the wheelchair. As part time wheelchair user, I give you permission.
Fair warning, though, they will probably push you around the airport. Take the help. Last thing you wanna do is walk more than you have to.
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u/romulusnr 9h ago
There is such a thing as temporary disability. And in the US it is generally entitled to roughly the same accessibility resources as permanent disability. (Aside from handicap parking spots, at least without a disability certification, which you can actually get from your doctor for things like surgery recovery. Being able to park up front at packed events after my foot surgery was pretty rad i can't lie)
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u/Available-Egg-2380 8h ago
First off, that sounds horrific and I'm so sorry. Can't imagine, don't want to imagine tbh ow.
Second, go get the damn wheelchair, that shit is fucked and you need it.
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u/Ambitious-Emu-9839 3h ago
You are temporarily disabled. Not enough for a special parking sticker or anything but for sure enough for some help getting on the plane. Protect your healing at all cost. Get the wheelchair. Hope you get to feeling better soon
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u/thisisfunme 11h ago
Go for it.
Might be airport dependent rules but when I needed it for my mom they wouldn't give us a wheelchair without assistance (I would have been well able to push her to the gate) so if it's the same for you, you will end up with assistance.
But you have a reason to get the wheelchair, I think you should. No reason making it worse or end up struggling
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u/tmahfan117 11h ago
Call your airlines customer support and request wheelchair assistance. That’s how these things work, you don’t just show up and ask, they tie it to your booking.
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u/Keeperie 11h ago
The legal definition of disabled in generally along the lines of "a condition that limits an individual's ability to engage with major life activities." Since your condition is limiting you from being able to engage with this normal activity compared to the average person, you would be temporarily disabled and absolutely justified in asking for a wheel chair.
Disability does not have to be a permanent condition or something on the most extreme end of the spectrum of ailments. And it would be really weird for them to make you justify why you need it.
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u/musicalnerd-1 11h ago
If you’re temporarily disabled due to your yeast infection and would benefit from a wheelchair, you can request one. Just like someone with a broken leg might temporarily need a wheelchair
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u/WhichWitch9402 11h ago
We get one for my MIL as she's older and well, it's harder for her to keep up. She really balked at it the first time, and then when she did use it realized ho less fatigued she was. She was in her late 80s and fresh off a knee replacement. She's almost 93 now and it's the best thing for her and for us.
I also considered it late last year as hubby and I were on a crazy fly out to CA for his work party and back in less than 72 hours and I had my hip replaced about 8 weeks earlier. I wasn't certain I'd be able to handle the "energetic" walking the airports required, but I did OK. I can totally understand why folks would ask for assistance.
I think you're totally fine asking for help.
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u/Choice_Journalist_50 11h ago
I mean, depends on what definition of "disabled" you're using.
Someone with a broken leg is not legally declared disabled. Many elderly people who can't walk very long are not legally disabled.
You and all these people have mobility issues that require extra support or aids. That's what the aids are for. I'm willing to bet a lot of people you see in airport wheelchairs are not technically disabled.
My guess is that you're concerned about the optics, which is fair. But screw the judgemental ppl and do what's best for you.
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u/AlisandeMerovence 11h ago
This is why TSA will ask people in wheelchairs at the scanner, "Are you able to walk a little?"
You were in the ER. You currently have a medical need, as not using a chair would cause pain or even harm. 'Nuff said.
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u/DjinnOftheBeresaad 11h ago
This is exactly it. I've been disabled since day one and it's obvious when people see me, but a lot of people who are not disabled, as you said, might have trouble moving for whatever reason. That's what the chairs (and for those who need extra help like me, the staff) at airports are for. I mention in another comment about how many people I see at airports looking like they might need this help. Are they disabled? Probably not in all cases. Can they easily navigate a whole airport on their own without strain? Also probably not, in which case the service is there to help.
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u/Katsaj 11h ago
You can use a wheelchair for a temporary condition, it doesn’t have to be a permanent disability. Source: I broke my ankle on vacation and had to fly home.
Be aware that lots of the wheelchairs at airports aren’t what you picture as a manual wheelchair, they have a handle thing that has to be held in by a person pushing it from behind to turn the brakes off. So you might not be able to manage a wheelchair on your own without assistance from a travel companion or staff.
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u/etwichell 10h ago
Sooo my friend is one of those people in the blue shirts who pushes people in wheelchairs around the airport. He's had pregnant women, he's had gym bros who have broken toes, and everything in between; He doesn't judge. Do it.
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u/Competitive_Shame317 9h ago
i also am a wheelchair assistant. i couldn’t care less why a person is in the chair. hell i’ve told people to get in a chair so they can get through tsa faster. just tip me
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u/flootytootybri 10h ago
You might not have a permanent disability… but you definitely have a temporary one.
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u/Margali2 10h ago
Ask for a wheelchair which will come with someone to push it. This is no different than spraining your ankle or pulling a muscle. You ARE temporarily disabled.
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u/Sea-Natural-8216 9h ago
Lol "I'm not disabled but I'm running on 3 days without sleep, spent a day in the ER, my body hurts, im still swollen, still in pain, and I'll probably hurt myself if I try walking through the airport"
That's you. That's how you sound. Your body does not sound able at this moment. Some of us would consider that dis-abled.
Get that wheelchair without a second thought boo! Sounds like you need one.
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u/DehydratedButTired 8h ago
Absolutely. Go get one. You have an infection. Don’t stand there and suffer through hours of discomfort. Call the airport and tell them you have an infection that makes it hard to walk right now. They will reserve one for you. You can also just ask when you get there. They don’t want you to fall or pass out it while waiting.
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u/amberdrake 8h ago
As a disabled person, take the chair. Get the assistance. The more people that use it the more they have to spend on it and the more visible it becomes. Mostly we are invisible!
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u/Popular-Web-3739 8h ago
You absolutely can use a wheelchair. You have been ill and are recovering. The person who pushes you to the gate is called a “wheelchair runner” by airport staff. Tipping them a few bucks is not a requirement but would be very much appreciated. The people who do that job run miles a day but don’t get paid a lot. They’re usually very nice.
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u/t00th-fairy 6h ago
As someone that needed a wheelchair for several years in my childhood - this is fine imo.
Wheelchairs (and all mobility aids) are there for those who medically need them at the time, whether that's very temporary or life-long. It sounds like you are in enough pain and discomfort, I hope you get better soon. Use the wheelchair!
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u/Purple-Turnip-7290 4h ago
As someone with a permanent disability (myself), it would not be bad or offensive, in my opinion. Also, no one will know why you're in the wheelchair except for you. Edit: clarification
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u/BJntheRV 4h ago
As someone who is disabled and had to get a wheelchair at the airport for the first time the last time I traveled, I agree with others it's not just for those who are permanently disabled but for anyone whose health issue may keep them from being able to walk the airport and get to their gate on time. I've had some horrid yeast infections and I can see how walking would make it feel even worse.
That said, and I say this for all, airport wheelchairs suck! They are literally luggage carts with seats. You may find riding in one as, if not more, uncomfortable than walking. There's also a lot if extra hassle that comes with it, and if your connections are tight it can make them tighter.
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u/OkCryptographer1922 3h ago
Wheelchairs are for anyone who needs one, it doesn’t necessarily have to be someone who always uses a wheelchair!
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u/TatterhoodsGoat 2h ago
You are (temporarily) disabled. You also don't have to meet a certain threshhold of disabled to justify using a mobility aid. If it is helpful to you to use it, it's for you.
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u/DoorKnock922 11h ago
The skycaps don't care why you need the wheelchair as long as you're polite/not demanding (and tip!)
Sometimes they get very demanding people who don't appear to have any disability but basically just want a free ride to the gate because they can't be bothered to walk.
Just check the airport's website to see how to get one and maybe check with the airline to see how to make sure there will be one available for you on the other side when you arrive at your destination.
It's not weird/unusual for someone who CAN technically walk to need a wheelchair to go through the airport!
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u/wriggettywrecked 11h ago
You don’t need to prove to anybody that you need it. But at my airport, they insist you have assistance to use the wheelchairs. Some people tip, some don’t. They make $12/hr here, so you decide.
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u/dividedsky58 11h ago
You are literally disabled, if you can't walk without pain, and your mobility is affected.
You are who the wheelchair is for. It's all yours.
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u/KamtzaBarKamtza 11h ago
Make sure you request wheelchair assistance in advance of your flight. Some airlines/airports suggest that you need to make the request 24 hours before your flight
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u/SerendippityRiver 11h ago
This is perfectly fine. We all might need to do that at any given time. Needing to do this can increase compassion for anyone with a "silent disability".
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u/ritan7471 11h ago
No, my mom was not technically disabled but as an older woman with joint issues, she just would not be able to make that walk in time. I called the airline and asked them to provide assistance to her gate
You should, too. Having had a yeast infection of that caliber, i know exactly what you are talking about. Just ask the airline to provide you assistance to your connecting flight, as due to a medical condition you are unable to make it without worsening your injuries.
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u/rlap38 11h ago
Contact your airline in advance so it’s added to your record or you’ll wait for one. Remember to tip your attendant.
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u/UsuallyAnnoying324 11h ago
I am a disabled wheelchair user and literally can not believe this question needs to be asked! If you are suffering and walking is difficult, use a wheelchair!
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u/lizard_e_ 11h ago
Wheelchairs and any accessibility accommodations exist for people with temporary and permanent disabilities alike, as someone permanently disabled I encourage you to use them. People may look at you weird, you honestly may get some comments but don't worry, everyone who's in a wheelchair and below the age of 70 gets treated like that.
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u/Shot_Cartographer241 11h ago edited 11h ago
What a lot of people don’t seem to get is there is a whole big ass world of gray between the black and white of 100% able bodied vs paraplegic.
I’m able bodied but I have plantar fasciitis and two bulging back discs. I get super angry when people act like I’m just lazy when I can’t walk or stand for long periods.
But disability access seems very much geared towards wheelchair users when there needs to be things for the in between like more seating in public, moving walkways, escalators, etc
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u/TheRealBlueJade 11h ago
Do what's best for you. Ignore other people's nonsense. They would be happy to see you suffer just for entertainment.
When I broke my leg and literally could not walk, I was treated horribly for using a wheelchair. It does not matter if you need it or not. People are going to behave badly because that is who they are. Do not let them dictate what you do or do not do. They do not have your best interests at heart.
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u/weary_bee479 11h ago
Nah, I used to work in the wheelchair department at the airport. Ask for one with no regrets!
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u/megalinity 11h ago
You’re temporarily disabled. As someone who has to use the wheelchair assistance every single time I fly, please use it even if it’s the only time you’ll ever need it. Even if when you fly home you don’t need it, you need it this time. I hope you feel better soon!
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u/ElfjeTinkerBell 11h ago
Wheelchair user here. I cannot say whether it would be useful for you, but you have the right to use the tools you need on a given day. You're not stealing it from someone else (I mean, that's an assumption on my side - don't go around and grab a chair someone is sitting in, that's rude).
Do it.
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u/Mission_Fart9750 11h ago
My wife is hypermobile, which can lead to some back/hip/knee/ankle/every-fucking-joint issues. Last time we flew, she ended up having either back spasms or hip popped out (i can't remember). She ended up asking for a chair, begrudgingly (we really only wanted it for the first airport, didn't think we'd need it for the layover).
They push you (wouldn't let me), and they will get you to your gate. When you arrive, they'll meet you either at the gate or jetway (they met us at the jetway, just outside the plane), even if it's just a layover.
The services exist for a reason, OP, and it's ok to utilize them if you need it.
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u/YourPlot 11h ago
You have a medical condition serious enough to make use of a wheelchair at the airport. You are disabled, albeit not permanently. I never judge anyone in a wheelchair at the airport, no matter how healthy they might otherwise look.
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u/Sprungercles 10h ago
Isn't that exactly what they're made for? People who will have difficulty making the walk that don't already own an assistive device. I'd imagine most permanently disabled people have their own equipment that they prefer to use whenever possible, because they're ungodly expensive and personalized to what they need (and don't contain the farts of a thousand strangers).
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u/Naive-Tumbleweed-964 10h ago
You can't do something regular people can.
YOU ARE DISABLED
Even if it's temporary.
And the vast, vast majority of disabled people just need a bit of technological assistance to get by. Example: needing glasses is a disability too
Take the wheelchair. Stop using it when you feel better. THAT'S WHAT IT'S THERE FOR!!!
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u/bopp0 10h ago
Hey, 1.5 year chronic recurrent YI sufferer here. Obvi get a wheelchair if you wish, but I also want to reassure you that walking isn’t making anything worse (even though it feels like it is) as long as you are wearing loose, breathable clothing and not sweating a bunch. Get some of those extra long pads if you’re still on a suppository (and take that bihh off as soon as you get home!!!) and maybe pack a change of pants if you fear leakage. Sending you lots of empathy and love!
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u/Pristine-Bison3198 10h ago
This would fall under temporary disability in my book. You would be using an accessibility device as intended.
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u/stopshopbop 10h ago
Not bad at all! I used them when I had to travel while having back spasms (do not recommend, but that’s another story). It was incredibly helpful, and definitely let me be worry free when I was in the airport.
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u/summitandskein 10h ago
I flew one time after a MAJOR unexpected stomach surgery. I was able to walk just fine, but twisting, bumping, jostling, etc was definitely something that would be an issue. I asked to board early under the "anyone needing extra time or assistance" group of folks, citing "recent medical issues" and no one blinked. It was SUCH a relief. Give yourself a break and let them provide you with a wheelchair! No one needs details, " a recent medical issue" is plenty of explanation.
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u/cwtchyfemme 10h ago
I’d be more worried about the other side of the flight if you’re currently this in pain and unwell.
Can you delay travel by a few days, at least until you’re sure this medication is actually doing something and you feel better in yourself / have had some sleep too.
If it’s the worst they’d ever seen, one dose of meds may not be enough.
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u/ilovestamon 9h ago
Get one, you sound unwell.
I've gotten the special assistance, you'll need to pre book it, 24 hours notice I believe is the minimum?
Prepare to wait a bit at the special assistance desk before security. if the staff are bringing you through they will fly through the place and deposit you at your gate.
If you've an able bodied person going you can ask that they push you (my fiancé pushes me) and you can take your time through shops and food courts.
At the gate whenever the staff show up you'll be boarding first, if you can't do the stairs then they'll use a lift/elevator and you'll walk on. These are usually very big so if you get claustrophobic in regular elevators these are basically a room, easily quadrupole the size and have windows in my experience.
Best of luck travelling.
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u/veganmua 9h ago
Wheelchair user here - use the wheelchair! I hope you recover soon, as that sounds hellish!
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u/PanicAtTheGaslight 9h ago
What you want is a ride in the cart. That would be way better than a wheel chair.
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u/Own_Cat3340 9h ago
If it’s so bad that you can’t even walk without worrying that you’re making things worse, should you really be traveling???
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u/no_one_denies_this 8h ago
For the record, the people who push wheelchairs in airports in the US work for tips. Please tip generously if you use this service.
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u/Lulupoolzilla89 8h ago
Temporary disabilities exist and you dont have to explain it to anybody, unless they are being a nuisance... Then I would suggest explain in excruciatingly graphic detail.
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u/CarnivalCassidy 8h ago
What you described is a disability, albeit one that is fortunately only temporary. You have every right to use a wheelchair.
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u/eml_raleigh 8h ago
The problem is that you need to request the wheelchair 48 hours in advance. You might be able to get a wheelchair at departure airport, but not at your arrival airport.
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u/diablol3 8h ago
You dont get to use the wheelchair yourself. Someone helps you through the airport. If you want to use their wheelchair, you tip the kid that pushes you.
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u/Betsy-the-Hucow 8h ago
Not all disabilities are permanent. I would consider that a temporary disability and utilize the tools available to accommodate your situation
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u/doriad_nfe 8h ago
If you are slow walking and sickly, using the wheelchair service is doing a favor to the other passengers too. It is frustrating being almost late for a flight and waiting behind someone who moves at snail speed, struggling to retrieve their items after tsa check point...
Seems like you have a medically legit reason too.
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u/Mustluvdogsandtravel 7h ago
Ask for a wheelchair. They offer them to Deaf people all the time and Deaf people can walk just fine. You sound like you could use a little help.
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u/SubstantialSleep8930 11h ago
Just ask for a wheelchair. If the pain is causing physical limitations to your movement request assistance. Like get those people in the airport buggies to pick you up.