[ad_1]
- Maayan Ziv was traveling from Toronto to Tel Aviv last week for an accessibility conference.
- A $40,000 special wheelchair was damaged on her Air Canada flight.
- The airline has agreed to replace the wheelchair, but it will take months to deliver a new one.
Mayan Ziv was prepared for the challenges of getting a special wheelchair onto a flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv on Wednesday to attend a conference on accessibility in transportation and tourism.
Ziv, who was born with muscular dystrophy, told Insider that she brought a bubble wrap bag to protect the $40,000 wheelchair before looking at it.
“My wheelchair was damaged and I was without a wheelchair for months because of the airline’s negligence,” she said. “So this isn’t something I’m new to, but you hope for the best.”
After returning the wheelchair to Tel Aviv following her 10-hour flight on Air Canada, Ziv realized she was injured despite her best efforts, but was not approached by airline or airport staff.
“Basically, it was up to us to be led to the baggage claim at the airport and file a claim as if the baggage was lost,” she said.
Ziv was initially offered a $300 voucher by Air Canada, which she assumed could be sent to anyone who complained about lost luggage.
“This added fuel to the fire,” Ziv said. “The difference here is that I’m not talking about some clothes or personal items. I’m actually talking about mobility and my freedom. And carry it like luggage, in the luggage compartment.”
Her wheelchair before (left) and after flight.
Good Ziv
Ziv said her wheelchair has an extension device that helps her reach, and tilts to allow her to release pressure, at a cost of about $40,000.
After an email exchange, Air Canada agreed to pay a replacement. However, it takes months to order and deliver such wheelchairs.
Insider has contacted the airline for comment.
Ziv said she was in severe pain without a special wheelchair, which she uses all day every day, until a replacement arrived.
The tech entrepreneur, who was named one of Canada’s 40 Under 40 last year, has been left to monitor the damage from the layoff.
“This has put a permanent tent in the next six months. That’s it – that’s it,” Ziv said.
[ad_2]
Source link
