'Assuming someone is faking a disability is discriminatory and offensive'

Amid travel chaos at Heathrow Airport, the boss of the travel hub has blamed disruptions and queues on people faking disabilities.

Speaking on LBC radio this morning, the airport’s Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye was asked why there wasn’t more staff available to look after a large number of disabled people were left waiting in wheelchairs at terminal three. It was also pointed out the area wasn’t air conditioned during the scorching temperatures of last week.

Holland-Kaye acknowledged that demand for passenger assistance had gone up significantly, however he blamed this on some people “using wheelchair support to try and get fast-tracked through the airport”.

When challenged on this and asked if he meant that some people were pretending they needed this he further explained: “Absolutely and if you go on TikTok you’ll see that is one of the travel hacks people are recommending.”

John Holland-Kaye claimed some people were faking their disabilities (PA)

The concept of faking disability to get “perks” such as rushed to the front of the queue or boarding the plane first isn’t anything new to disabled people, but the reality is much more different. We’re often met with scorn, our disabilities questioned if we show any hints of mobility or treat as an inconvenience to the train staff and other passengers.

While non-disabled passengers might think disabled people get to go first we often find ourselves left til last if it’s easier to let everyone else board or exit first and sometimes assistance just doesn’t arrive so we’re left on the tarmac or worse empty planes.

Disabled have to jump through so many hoops in the first place to prove that we are disabled and almost as if we are worthy of your assistance. I wish it was as simple as just sitting in a wheelchair at an airport and saying you’re disabled like the TikTok “hacks” say.

To assume it’s that easy shows that you’ve never had your invisible illness doubted because you don’t look disabled on the outside whilst your body is screaming at you for a rest.

The deep-rooted issue here is that non-disabled people view disabled people gaining access as a “perk” when actually it's just equality.

To assume someone is faking a disability is not only incredibly ableist and if you think for one minute that life is easier for us, you need to listen to more disabled people.