Boy Cries After Forced to Remove Wheelchair Battery on Disney Flight

A Teenager’s Struggle with EasyJet Over Wheelchair Battery

A 14-year-old boy from Liverpool, Anthony Higgins, also known as AJ, was left in tears after being forced to leave his wheelchair battery behind on an EasyJet flight from Disneyland Paris. The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when traveling.

AJ suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and leaves him unable to walk. He had recently returned from a three-day trip to Disneyland Paris, funded by the Make A Wish Foundation. This was supposed to be a dream come true for him, but the journey back home turned into a nightmare.

The family, including AJ’s mother Melissa Higgins and her partner Christopher Harvey, were flying from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Manchester when the problem arose. According to Melissa, a pilot refused to allow the £1,000 wheelchair battery on board, claiming the wattage wasn’t visible. Despite having documentation stating it was safe to fly, the family was forced to leave the battery in Paris.

Without the battery, AJ is now unable to use his wheelchair, which was donated by a charity. His mother said he has been “stuck in his house” and has lost all of his independence. The emotional toll on the family has been immense, with Melissa describing the experience as humiliating and distressing.

The Incident on the Flight

Melissa recounted the events on the flight, explaining that when her partner tried to argue their case, the pilot’s behavior became increasingly hostile. She claims the pilot started treating them poorly once he realized they were from Liverpool. The situation escalated, with the pilot reportedly threatening to have them removed from the plane if they didn’t comply.

“I was in shock on the plane and thinking 'what's going on?' We've not had this problem before,” Melissa said. “I don't get why all the commotion's gone on for nothing.”

She emphasized that the battery had passed through customs without any issues. “If there was something wrong with it they would've known,” she added.

The pilot claimed the battery posed a risk to other passengers, despite the fact that the batteries are dry, not liquid, and do not have wattage. Melissa found this reasoning confusing and frustrating, especially since the family had no prior issues with the battery during their trip to Disneyland.

Aftermath and Response from EasyJet

Although EasyJet has issued an apology, Melissa is still hoping for the battery to be returned. She expressed concern over the financial burden of replacing it, as the wheelchair was donated and spare parts are expensive. “We haven't got a replacement battery and we're hoping the battery will be sent back to us,” she said.

An EasyJet spokesperson stated that safety is the airline’s top priority and that batteries must follow specific regulations for carriage. They explained that the necessary information for safe transportation could not be provided, leading to the decision to prevent the battery from boarding. However, they have assured the family that the battery will be returned.

The Broader Impact

For AJ, the loss of his wheelchair has had a significant impact on his daily life. Without it, he is unable to move around or attend school. His mother described the situation as heartbreaking, noting that he has been “stuck in the house” and unable to socialize. “It takes all his independence,” she said.

This incident has raised questions about how airlines handle cases involving disabled travelers and whether more support and understanding should be provided. Melissa hopes that this experience will lead to better policies and procedures in the future.

As the family awaits the return of the battery, they remain hopeful that things will be resolved soon. “Everyone is telling me to not let it go,” Melissa said. “We just want to get our son back to normal.”